Rural educators from across Georgia got a hands-on look at emerging technology and advanced manufacturing during a recent visit to the Georgia Institute of Technology, including an interactive experience aboard the Georgia AIM Mobile Studio.
Hosted by Georgia Tech as part of its Rural Educators Leadership Forum, the visit gave district, school, and community leaders from rural communities the chance to explore how technology and workforce development programs can help prepare students for careers in manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and other in-demand tech fields.
As part of the visit, attendees toured the Georgia AIM Mobile Studio, a traveling demonstration space designed to bring advanced manufacturing and AI-related technology to communities across Georgia.
Educators included participants in the new Advanced Manufacturing Pathways program, which took place earlier this year in Southwest Georgia . The initiative was funded by Georgia AIM and implemented through the Georgia Tech Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing (CEISMC), a Georgia AIM partner focused on expanding STEM education opportunities across the state.
For many educators, the mobile studio tour demonstrated how hands-on technology experiences can help bridge the gap between classroom learning and career pathways available in rural communities.
Mark Thompson, a computer science teacher from Thomas County who also took part in the Advanced Manufacturing Pathways program, said the forum highlighted Georgia Tech’s commitment to supporting rural students and educators.
“My primary takeaway was gaining a deeper understanding of Georgia Tech’s commitment to expanding opportunities within our rural communities,” Thompson said. “There is often a misconception that the Institute is accessible only to students from large metro districts; however, programs like the Tech Promise scholarship and various student support initiatives demonstrate that Georgia Tech is truly a resource for the entire state.”
The Rural Educators Leadership Forum was hosted by Georgia Tech’s Office of Strategic Student Access and brought together leaders from 16 counties across Georgia. The event focused on strengthening connections between Georgia Tech and rural school districts while showcasing educational pathways, partnerships and workforce initiatives available to students and educators statewide.
In addition to the Georgia AIM Mobile Studio experience, attendees learned about other Georgia Tech initiatives designed to support rural education and workforce development. Presentations highlighted Georgia AIM’s work developing talent pipelines in artificial intelligence for Georgia’s manufacturing sector, as well as CEISMC’s statewide STEM outreach efforts. During the 2024-25 school year, CEISMC served more than 34,700 students across 108 Georgia counties through outreach programs, teacher engagement and student learning opportunities.
Attendees also learned about Georgia Tech’s Tech Promise scholarship program, which provides debt-free degree opportunities for qualifying Georgia students, and participated in discussions about how Georgia Tech can continue supporting rural districts, educators and students.
The 16 counties represented at the summit included Bartow, Chattooga, Crawford, Crisp, Dade, Dooly, Early, Elbert, Hancock, Lowndes, Oglethorpe, Tattnall, Thomas, Troup, Upson and Washington counties.