US High School Gets $10K STEM Grant for SparkLab – AI, Robotics & Cybersecurity Hub
Mooresville, North Carolina, 10 January 2026 – A public high school in the US is about to transform its STEM education with a $10,000 STEM grant that will fund a cutting‑edge learning space called SparkLab – a modern hub where students will dive into AI, robotics, cybersecurity, game design, and digital media.
Mooresville High School in North Carolina has been selected to receive a $10,000 STEM‑Ed grant from TDS Telecom, a regional telecom company. This grant will help the school launch its very own SparkLab – a collaborative, hands‑on learning space designed to prepare students for real careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
What Is SparkLab?
SparkLab is not just another computer lab. It’s a “creativity hub” created by SparkNC, a US‑based education initiative that partners with schools to build modern STEM spaces.
In SparkLabs, students don’t just watch videos or read about technology – they build, code, design, and create. These labs are designed to spark curiosity and give students practical experience in fields that are shaping the future:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Cybersecurity
- Coding and app development
- Robotics and automation
- Game and media design
- Digital storytelling and content creation
School districts across North Carolina have already built SparkLabs, turning ordinary classrooms into vibrant maker spaces where students work on real projects, not just theory.
How the $10K Grant Will Be Used
The $10,000 STEM‑Ed grant from TDS Telecom will fund essential technology to bring Mooresville High School’s SparkLab to life. The money will be used to buy:
- A high‑performance workstation for AI projects, game design, and cybersecurity labs.
- A large collaborative display where students can code together, design media, and present their work.
- Networking upgrades to ensure fast, secure, high‑bandwidth internet for all devices.
- Audio‑visual (AV) equipment to support hybrid learning and connect with other SparkLabs across the state.
- Robotics and maker‑tech kits for hands‑on engineering, automation, and prototyping projects.
- Tech accessories like charging stations, mounts, and peripherals to keep the lab organised and safe.
This setup will allow students to work on complex, real‑world projects – from training simple AI models to building robots and designing secure networks.
Why This Matters for Students
For students at Mooresville High School, SparkLab is more than a lab – it’s a gateway to future careers.
In today’s world, jobs in AI, cybersecurity, robotics, and digital media are growing fast. But many students, especially in public schools, don’t get early exposure to these fields. SparkLab changes that.
Students will:
- Learn how to code and program robots and automation systems.
- Explore AI and machine learning through hands‑on projects.
- Understand cybersecurity basics and how to protect digital systems.
- Design games, apps, and digital media using modern tools.
- Work in teams on real projects, building collaboration and problem‑solving skills.
This kind of experience doesn’t just help students score well in exams – it prepares them for high‑wage, future‑proof careers in tech, engineering, and digital industries.
A Model for Schools Worldwide
SparkLab is part of a growing trend in the US and globally: schools are moving from traditional “chalk‑and‑talk” classrooms to innovation labs where students learn by doing.
These labs are not just for “gifted” students or tech clubs. They are designed to be inclusive, so every student – regardless of background – can explore STEM, build confidence, and discover their passion.
For school leaders and educators, SparkLab offers a powerful model:
- Start small with a focused STEM space.
- Use grants and community partnerships to fund equipment.
- Train teachers to guide project‑based learning.
- Integrate the lab into the regular curriculum, not just as an extra activity.
What School Leaders & Teachers Can Learn
If you’re a school leader or teacher looking to boost STEM in your school, here’s what SparkLab teaches us:
- Start with a clear vision – Define what kind of skills you want students to gain (AI, robotics, cybersecurity, etc.).
- Seek community partnerships – Local businesses, telecom companies, and tech firms often have STEM grant programs.
- Focus on hands‑on projects – Students learn best by building, not just listening.
- Make it inclusive – Ensure every student, not just a few, gets access to the lab and its tools.
- Connect to real careers – Show students how the skills they learn in the lab link to jobs in AI, robotics, cybersecurity, and digital media.
Final Word
Mooresville High School’s SparkLab is more than a $10,000 grant – it’s an investment in the future of its students. By giving them access to AI, robotics, cybersecurity, and digital media, the school is preparing them not just for exams, but for the jobs and challenges of the 21st century.
For schools around the world, this story is a reminder: the future of education is not in more textbooks, but in more maker spaces, innovation labs, and hands‑on STEM hubs where every student can become a creator, not just a consumer, of technology.
