Located in rural Georgia, Decatur County Schools has embraced a bold approach to STEM. Under the leadership of Amy Zock who serves as the district’s Director for Instructional Technology and Innovation, the district has implemented specialized STEM and digital literacy classes for every K–8 student and embedded STEM principles into existing Career and Technical Agricultural Education (CTAE) pathways at the high school level.
In Decatur County, Georgia, this school district is redefining STEM learning, introducing their students to potential career pathways that were not in the conversation a few years ago. Last year was the first year that Decatur implemented Woz ED curriculum and utilized it as a supplemental program to transform learning environments and inspire the next generation of technology leaders.
The mission is clear: provide every student — from kindergarten to high school — with hands-on experiences in emerging technologies, helping them connect classroom learning to real-world applications and, ultimately, opening doors to future career pathways.
STEM in Action: Weekly Engagement
STEM learning in Decatur County is not a special event or an occasional project — it’s part of the weekly rhythm for every student. In grades K–5, students participate in two hours of Woz ED instruction each week, split between STEM and digital literacy courses. Early learners start with foundational skills in many different areas including engineering, data science, drones, animation, coding, and cybersecurity, building confidence and curiosity from the start. This year, the curriculum expanded to include mobile app development, artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, and robotics — ensuring even the youngest students engage with the tools shaping the world around them.
Middle school students dive even deeper. Students rotate through advanced topics and have the opportunity to participate in a formal robotics program that fosters teamwork, problem-solving, and competition-readiness. With this team, they compete in local robotics competitions.
At the high school level, Woz ED pathways are strategically aligned with CTAE programs, creating dynamic crossover opportunities. Coding is integrated into computer science courses, robotics enhances both engineering and computer science programs, and data science is applied in science classes. Engineering principles run through multiple subjects, and a summer drone program brings together students from agriculture, robotics, engineering, coding, and ROTC — a collaboration that showcases STEM’s reach across disciplines.
Creating Enhanced Learning Environments
Learning spaces across the district have been reimagined to spark creativity and innovation. Every school media center has been redesigned as a STEM hub and maker space, stocked with equipment that extends the Woz ED curriculum and invites students to explore their ideas hands-on. These spaces don’t stand apart from core academics — instead, they are woven into the school’s broader learning goals. For example, media experiences are tied to global themes in language arts, giving students opportunities to use STEM skills in storytelling, research, and presentation.
Technology integration is equally robust. All students have access to 3D printing, drones are used across a variety of programs, and AR/VR resources create immersive learning experiences that engage multiple senses. Digital signage in media centers proudly showcases student projects, while upcoming initiatives — such as wearable technologies for student-athletes — will tie into the district’s growing data science program. These efforts ensure students see technology as a living, evolving part of their education, instead of an entirely separate subject.
Forming Partnerships and Taking Initiative
Collaboration with higher education and industry partners has amplified the district’s impact. Through a partnership with Georgia Tech, Decatur County is helping to grow computer science understanding in rural Georgia communities. Georgia Tech has provided greenhouse sensors for the agriculture department and a farm bot — a CNC machine that automates planting — for the high school’s four-acre farm. These tools bridge the gap between coding, engineering, and agriculture, showing students how technology can transform even the most traditional industries.
The district is also a key partner in the Georgia AIIM Project (Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing), working with Southern Regional Technical College and Georgia Tech to develop a hybrid smart manufacturing curriculum. This program combines engineering and manufacturing pathways, with students applying Python skills gained through the Woz ED curriculum to Raspberry Pis. They use these devices to collect data from 3D printers and CNC machines, enabling more efficient and innovative design processes.
STEM Resources Spark Enthusiam Amongst Students and Teachers
The results of these initiatives are already visible in classrooms and the community. Students are applying STEM skills across multiple subjects — designing 3D models to visualize story settings in language arts or interpreting agricultural data in science. Vocabulary and questioning skills have improved dramatically, with one standout example being how confidently students engaged with professionals during a recent demonstration from an agricultural drone company.
Teachers are equally energized. Many are eager to teach Woz ED courses and integrate STEM tools into their own lessons, which has created a ripple effect of innovation across the district. Parents report hearing about projects at home, sparking curiosity and pride. Enrollment seems to also be thriving with families who want to take advantage of these unique STEM opportunities. The district has even adjusted schedules to ensure more students can participate in STEM classes — a testament to the demand and enthusiasm these programs have created.
Goals for the Future
Looking ahead, Zock and the rest of the Science and Technology team at Decatur are dedicated to preparing students to be leaders in emerging technologies like AI, rather than simply following existing trends. The district aims to increase the number of high school pathway completers by sparking interest in potential career paths earlier in students’ educational journeys. Plans include expanding hands-on, real-world learning experiences, deepening industry partnerships, and continuing to integrate technology in ways that make learning more engaging.
Why It Matters
Decatur County Schools has shown that with vision, creativity, and collaboration, a rural district can become a model for STEM excellence. By embedding technology-rich learning into every grade level, they’re not just preparing students for the workforce — they’re empowering them to innovate, problem-solve, and lead.
As Amy Zock puts it,
“We want our students to be the leaders of tomorrow instead of the followers.”
In Decatur County, that future is already taking shape.
