Academy of Green Technology- Douglas Byrd High School

01/27/2026

It has been nearly a year since we celebrated a YGST grant with everyone. It has been only recently (2 weeks ago) that we completed that year-long grant program, and what a success it has been!

Youth Growth Stock Trust has been a wonderful supporter of our program and has enriched the lives of our students well beyond the everyday classroom! This was perhaps the most transformative experience to date!

Last week we finalized our reviews of the key trip in the program, a visit to the 270’ Narrows Hydroelectric Dam. This was at one time the largest dam in the U.S., until the Hoover Dam was built, and the engineering used to build it was used in the construction of the Hoover Dam as well. Through our year- long program (that YGST made possible), students were able to connect the dots between water, energy, and climate and its impact on the people who live in the water basins.

Many thanks to Cumberland Foundation and Youth Growth Stick Trust. Our deepest thanks and support of the legacy of Robert Short whose innovation and vision made these grants possible.

02/23/2025

AoGT went two separate ways over valentines day weekend, and both groups returned with successful experiences! One group of eight students went to Skills USA regional drone competition. They participated as 4 teams of two and placed 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th. Outstanding work to these new young pilots!

The second group of six drone pilots went to Asheville to participate in search and rescue/recovery training under the guidance of Wayne Bailey. Wayne led drone rescue and recovery in the aftermath of hurricane Helene. Wayne is a former NC Fire Marshall, he lives in Asheville, and he is the owner of Blue Ridge Mountain Drones. Students flew missions in downtown Asheville and along the Swannanoa River with expert advice from Wayne and a seasoned veteran in search and recovery, Jason Holt. They also took site visits and heard about drones during the recovery from the Asheville Police Department's drone division and from Fire Station 2 and Chief Andy Penland in the town of Swannanoa.

This trip was only possible through the support of an external donor, Lisa Bandy, who covered hotel costs, and through the county CTE offices which covered transportation.

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09/27/2024

Students studying climate change and participating in an Ocean Acidification lab and a hexagonal thinking activity.

09/27/2024

Students traveled to Lumbee River Electric to learn more about how an electric cooperatives works, and how the cooperative engages with their community. AoGT students also participated in the community engagement to show how education and utilities support each other.

08/12/2022

It is coming AoGT! Learning how to put this car together so you can put it together. Can’t wait to get started!

07/06/2022

Green Academy students haven’t been sitting around all summer! Josh, Maya, and Connor worked a UNC summer camp teaching a full day of drones. Maya participated in two different days. Now the ISS “crew” has been asked to sit on a speaker panel about the design challenge. Living Great Stories!

01/17/2022

Superintendent of Cumberland County Schools coding and flying a drone. Pretty neat to see him in our school and classrooms! We appreciate that connection!

01/17/2022

AIM
Conference in Raleigh. Showing off what we do to educators.

01/17/2022

District 7 Elementary Renewable Energy workshop!

01/02/2022

Presented at AGU for UNC Institute for the Environment (center for Public Engagement in Science) on inspiring STEM teachers to incorporate storytelling in their instruction. UNC-IE’s Dana Haine (AoGT board member) was the mastermind behind the NCELF workshop and Dr. Derek Gladwin of the University of British Columbia shared his storytelling expertise with the group. Many teachers then planned to use storytelling in their classes. I was able to initiate storytelling early (and often) and loved the outcome. I may try to present locally on the technique, because it really does seem highly effective. Anyway, the county let me go to the conference and I ended up being the presenter for Dana and Derek. Good times…oh, and bonus, it was in New Orleans!

01/02/2022

Workshop the Academy put on for D7, our fourth this year. Next semester we are hoping to launch five different weather ballooons for schools. Going to be another busy semester for the director and the students! Climate solutions one (or 70) kids at a time!

11/08/2021

AoGT on Matter of Fact with Soledad O'Brien! Check out those awesome students!

A program in Fayetteville, North Carolina is hoping to prepare today’s children to build a more sustainable tomorrow. Students at the Academy of Green Techno...