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While students were getting home from their first day of school on Thursday, teachers and members of local government were gathering at Hutto Elementary School, for the grand opening of the school’s new media hub and STEM center, the first of its kind in the state.

In addition to the books and computers typically found in a school library, the new media center features an interactive touchscreen floor, with various educational puzzles and activities for students; a station where students can experiment with robotics; a virtual reality station; a small drone flying station a button-making table; and even a 3-D printer.

An official statement from the Board of Education describes the initiative behind the new center, as a part of the Decatur County Woz Ed District Initiative. “Woz ED focuses on K-Employment, utilizing resources to help students authentically explore their future in the tech economy,” the statement read. The “Woz” in Woz ED refers to Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, and his Woz ED program is in use in over 30 states.

“As you can tell, a lot of hard work has gone into our new media facility,” Hutto principal Quinten Fuller addressed the crowd at the event, “to make it a place where students are eager to come and create wonderment, as they explore different avenues of science, technology, engineering, art, and math, also known as STEAM.”

Samantha Palmer and Amy Zock spoke next, explaining the Woz ED program and the various stations the center offers. Afterwards, Superintendent Dr. Boyd English took to the podium.

“This is a true innovation center, that we can come in and explore learning,” English said, “and that’s what we hope to attain this year, and build on this every year.”

City Councilman Kregg Close was the keynote speaker of the ceremony.

“I just want to commend everyone who was involved in creating this space for learning, for the children that will be coming through Hutto,” he said. “This center will just definitely get those children prepared for an opportunity to be able to be strong leaders, and compete with children across the world. And we just hope that the kids that come through Hutto will be able to shine and make us proud, as Decatur Countians, and citizens of Bainbridge.”

Following the speakers and the official ribbon cutting, attendees were given tours of the new facility.