Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) is taking steps to bring more science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to its students the construction of brand-new “Manufacturing and Innovation Centers” at both Central High School and West Senior High. The district has announced a pair of groundbreaking ceremonies to “mark the official beginning of construction” on the new additions, with both events slated for this Friday afternoon.

The groundbreaking at Central is scheduled for 3:30pm on Friday, October 27, while the ceremony at West will follow at 5pm. TCAPS officials, local media, and members of the TCAPS community will all be on hand for the celebrations, which are also open to the general public. Attendees are encouraged to “dress appropriately for the weather,” given that both events will be taking place outdoors. The groundbreakings will also be livestreamed on the TCAPS YouTube page.

Per TCAPS, the new facility additions will be paid for as part of the district’s 2018 capital bond. Once built, the Manufacturing and Innovation Centers “will be used for various academic and co-curricular needs tied to STEM, as well as robotics and manufacturing.”