Bacon District Elementary School’s (BDES) 21st Century Learning Center will present science day for students in grades 3-5 on Jan. 12.

According to BDES K-5 Math Specialist Duffie Jones, “we are having Danville Science Museum do an outreach program for our grades 3-5.”

She said students would participate in two programs.

“One being ‘Good Vibrations’ where they learn about sound and how it travels. The second one our cafeteria will be transformed into a dome for a planetarium. I’m so excited,” said Brown.

The Science Day program is a part of Bacon District’s 21st century learning program, after the school previously received a 21st century grant from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).

The school was only one of two schools in region 8 to receive the honor for the 2018-19 school year, according to Jones.

A previous press release from the VDOE cited 29 grants in total were awarded across the Commonwealth of Virginia and will fund community learning centers to provide opportunities in the academics’ field, enrichments and opportunity.

“The competitive grants can range from $50,000 to $200,000 and will allow school divisions, faith-based organizations and community groups to provide students with tutoring, enrichment activities that complement regular academic programs, and literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children,” said the release at that time. “VDOE also is continuing to fund 83 programs that received initial grants in 2016 and 2017. The centers will operate before and after school, during school breaks, Saturdays, and during summer vacation.”

Jones previously said the BDES program was granted $178,658 per year for a three year period, totaling $535,974.

In addition, she said through the program, the school has partnered with local organizations such as the Charlotte County Department of Social Services, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Department, Drakes Farm and Home, Mecklenburg Electric, Charlotte County Public Schools Food Service Program, Southside Soil and Water Conservation District, Randolph-Henry High School and John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir.

The partnerships have provided several programs for parents and students in the community to date, including a gingerbread run 5k, Christmas Bazaar, CPR/first aid class and more.