A successful application for a $690,000 grant from the Georgia Department of Education will create a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) labs at Bainbridge High School and Bainbridge Middle School.

The grant funding will also provide for the creation of an outdoor classroom at Bainbridge High School.

The Competitive Grant for 21st Century STEM Labs set out to increase community understanding of the importance of STEM education and to prepare students for work and life in the 21st century.

The outdoor classroom at Bainbridge High School will allow students to study issues, while integrating science, technology, engineering and mathematics, relative to our Southwest Georgia. Water quality, wildlife, vegetable/herb gardening, alternative energies and consumption of natural resources will all be taught in the new outdoor classroom.

Decatur County will serve as the model in the STEM arena for the 2nd Congressional District in Georgia. The member of the Decatur County team include the following: Tommie Howell, Margie Nour, Cindy Williams, Martin Bius from Bainbridge High School; Greta Conner, Justin Logue and Jesse Kelly from Bainbridge Middle School; Donna McGlincy, Alice Strickland, Pam Chambers, Steve Dunn and Suzi Bonifay from the central office; Tonya Strickland and Eric Dueno from Bainbridge College; Michael Smith from Meredian; Steve Golladay, a research scientist, and Sarah Erwin, RESA science specialist.