The Lexington Two Innovation Center offers students opportunities such as work-based learning, field studies and job shadowing.

The Innovation Center allows students to collaborate, develop new ideas, test them and share them with others.

The Innovation center opened its doors to students in 2018, following a $225 million package of improvements approved by Lexington Two voters for all districts in 2014.

Since then, the center has been able to provide numerous programs for students such as:

• Automative technology
• Building Construction
• Computer Programming
• Culinary Arts
• Digital Art & Design
• Dual Enrollment/Early College
• Health Science
• Multimedia & Animation
• Small Animal Care
• Sports Medicine

In each program, students gain hands-on experience while learning about potential careers. They also develop skills that employers seek, gain work experience and interact with professionals in their fields of interest.

For example, the barbering program contributes to the community by providing haircuts. Chet Henderson, the Barbering instructor, told the school board of trustees that the community outreach has grown over the years.

Students meet at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, where 17 to 25 students typically participate on Saturday mornings. The program averages 45 to 55 haircuts.

The Innovation Center partners with companies such as Zeus, Still Hopes, the South Carolina State Fair, Signarama of Columbia, Riverbanks Zoo Veterinary Hospital, Lexington County Emergency Medical Services, Johnson & Wales, HOSA and more.

Through a partnership with Zeus, students gain work experience and the opportunity to work with the company. Zeus seeks students with a GPA of 2.4 or higher, the ability to read a ruler, problem solving skills, a positive attitude, good communication skills, good attendance and a WIN test score of 4 in reading and mathematics.

In return, students are paid for their work and those who work 20 hours per week get to attend classes at Midlands Technical College that Zeus pays for.

At Still Hopes, health science students develop clinical skills. At the South Carolina State Fair, small animal care students engage with a variety of animals and learn to observe and listen.

Through a partnership with Signarama of Columbia, students in the business, marketing and entrepreneur programs learn about machinery and how to meet customer needs. At Riverbanks Zoo Veterinary Hospital, sports medicine students observe different animals and learn about the different types of treatments.

At Lexington County Emergency Medical Services, students meet professionals and learn about the equipment and supplies needed in emergencies.

Johnson and Wales offer opportunities for students to engage with professionals in baking, hospitality management and pastry.

HOSA helps students expand their skills through competitions and collaboration.

These are just a few of the partnerships the Innovation Center has. To learn more about the programs and partnerships, visit their website at https://l2ic.lex2.org/.