THOMASVILLE — Thomas County Schools has been awarded a federal grant exceeding $87,000 through the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission to support the launch of a Smart Manufacturing Pilot this fall at Thomas County Central High School. This initiative is part of a regional effort to advance workforce readiness and strengthen STEM education across Southwest Georgia.

The pilot project will be conducted in partnership with the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute, Georgia AIM (America’s Industrial Model), and CheckMate Industries, a local precision manufacturing company based in Thomasville. The program is designed to provide high school students with immersive experiences in modern manufacturing and data analytics, supported by instruction from Georgia Tech faculty and staff.

The 6-week course, titled Introduction to Smart Manufacturing, will guide students through the process of designing, modeling, and building a product using advanced tools such as computer-aided design (CAD), CNC machinery, 3D printers, and Python-based data analytics. The experience will culminate in a race car competition using student-built, additively manufactured vehicles.

“This program opens up opportunities our students have never had before,” said Mark Thompson, Computer Science Teacher at Thomas County Central High School. “They will not only gain hands-on experience with industry-grade tools, but also build skills in data science, design, and digital fabrication—skills that translate directly to future careers.”

Georgia Tech and Georgia AIM are playing a pivotal role by developing the course curriculum and providing ongoing instructional support throughout the pilot. This collaboration ensures high-quality, scalable learning experiences for students and professional development for educators.

Key project contributors include Mark Thompson of Thomas County Central High School, Steven Ferguson, Director of Georgia AIM, and Beka Shiver, Program Manager with the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission. Kyle Saleeby, Research Engineer, will be supporting TCCHS through Georgia AIM.

This Smart Manufacturing Pilot marks a significant investment in the region’s talent pipeline, providing students with direct exposure to high-demand careers in smart manufacturing, robotics, and data-driven engineering.