Free Engineering Program Reaches Greenville Students

Students aged 13 to 18 in the Greenville region can take part as the $4.5 million program begins classroom outreach.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Scholarships

Free Engineering Program Reaches Greenville Students

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GE Vernova Foundation launched Engineers of Change, a three-year, $4.5 million initiative aimed at reaching 6,000 students in Greenville and Staffordshire, United Kingdom. The program was formally unveiled November 2 at GE Vernova's Advanced Manufacturing Works facility in Greenville, with students aged 13 to 18 in the Greenville region among those targeted.

Why it matters

The program aims to ignite the interest of students starting in middle school and expand that interest through high school, which matters for students weighing future engineering study. Families and schools in the Greenville area now have a free, school-based pathway that introduces engineering careers and prepares older students for university-level engineering education.

The Foundation is funding a three-year, $4.5 million initiative with a target of 6,000 students across Greenville and Staffordshire, United Kingdom. In the Greenville region the program targets 3,000 students, with Engineering Spark serving students aged 13 to 14 and Engineering Catalyst serving students aged 15 to 18.

The players

GE Vernova Foundation

The philanthropic arm of GE Vernova that is funding the three-year, $4.5 million Engineers of Change initiative.

Clemson University

A public research university in South Carolina whose PEER program and College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences will implement the program alongside GE Vernova engineers.

FHI 360

A North Carolina-based global human development nonprofit providing technical assistance to the program.

The details

Engineering Spark places engineers from GE Vernova and Clemson University into classrooms, where they use engaging demonstrations and hands-on activities to spark interest in engineering. Engineering Catalyst is a two-year track that prepares students aged 15 to 18 for university-level engineering education. Clemson University's Programs for Educational Enrichment and Retention (PEER) implements the program within its College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences, with FHI 360, a North Carolina-based global human development consulting nonprofit, providing technical assistance.

April 2026: Plans for the program were announced.
November 2, 2026: The program was formally unveiled at a ceremony at GE Vernova's Advanced Manufacturing Works facility in Greenville.
2026 to 2029: The program is scheduled to run over three years, aiming to reach 6,000 students in total.

Education Landscape

Corporate and foundation funding of pre-college engineering outreach has grown as employers seek a larger future technical workforce. This program extends that pattern into the Greenville region by pairing industry engineers with a university enrichment program.

Students in middle school and high school in the Greenville area may encounter engineering classroom activities through this program in the coming years. Families interested in participation can ask their child's school whether it is among the partner schools and what enrollment or selection steps apply.

The takeaway

A corporate-backed program is putting engineers into classrooms earlier than many students expect, which can shape high school course choices. Families who want to know whether a local school is taking part should ask the school's counseling or STEM office about enrollment.