Little

Greenville County Schools

CTE Innovation Center

Greenville, South Carolina

Project Type

K-12 Schools

Size

30,000 Square Feet

Design Services

Architecture, Interior Architecture

The CTE Innovation Center gives 10th through 12th grade students the opportunity to gain hands-on career experience in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Situated on a section of the 62-acre Roper Mountain Science Center campus, the world-class facility provides specialized programs in emerging automotive research, aerospace technologies, automation and robotics, clean energy technology, and networking/cybersecurity. Serving students from across the school district, it underscores the district's commitment to teaming up with local industry partners to provide cutting-edge career and technology education.

Design Awards

  • A4LE South Carolina Excellence Award

Project Goals 

The CTE Innovation Center aims to provide a dynamic learning environment for students to gain practical experience and industry certifications.

By prioritizing flexibility and adaptability within the space, the center can quickly expand and evolve with industry changes with simple technology and course updates, ensuring its relevance for years to come.

Objectives
  1. Create an environment similar to college and professional workplaces
  2. Prioritize a flexible and adaptable design
  3. Encourage collaboration among students, parents, high schools, and industry partners
  4. Increase the number of certifications obtained annually

Solution

Little designed an adaptable and flexible space featuring collaborative classroom spaces, labs, study rooms, a café, and an outdoor classroom.

The center’s versatile design allows for the future implementation of new, innovative programs to replace existing ones should industry trends evolve. Each program is outfitted with its own specialized lab, offering a range of resources and technologies designed to facilitate student learning. Notably, the emerging automotive research lab, the first of its kind in South Carolina, provides students access to an electric vehicle trainer.

Results

The CTE Innovation Center provides students with the tools and training they need to succeed after high school, whether they go to college or straight into the workforce.