Stacey Middle School Earns $10,000 Hyundai Grant, Advancing Westminster School District's Vision for STEM
June 17, 2026
Westminster School District is proud to announce that Helen F. Stacey Middle School has been selected as one of ten schools in Orange County to receive a $10,000 Future Innovators Initiative grant from Hyundai, awarded through the Orange County Schools Bright Futures Foundation. The recognition places Stacey among a small group of schools whose proposals were judged to reflect the highest standards of innovation, student-centered design, and career-connected learning.
The grant is the result of a proposal developed under the leadership of Principal Rick Nichols, whose vision for the program stood out to reviewers for its creativity and its direct focus on student opportunity. The funding will support the expansion of a STEM-focused woodshop program that blends traditional woodworking with modern engineering tools and design thinking. Students will use computer-aided design software to develop project plans, then bring those plans to life using a CNC router, a manufacturing tool common across construction, product design, and industrial fields. Students will move between designing projects on screen and watching the CNC router bring those designs to life, connecting digital thinking to physical craft within a single class period. Projects will range from structural engineering challenges to functional builds, with math, science, and design integrated into every phase of the work.
For a school where approximately 65 percent of students are identified as unduplicated, including those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged, English learners, or foster youth, the program represents more than a new course offering. It is a deliberate effort to close an exposure gap that can shape whether a student ever seriously considers a career in engineering, construction, or applied technology. Many students arrive at high school without a clear picture of what those fields look like or how their own interests might connect to them. This program is designed to change that, starting in middle school, when those connections carry the most weight.
"At Westminster School District, we believe every student deserves access to learning experiences that open doors, not just fulfill requirements. What Principal Nichols and the Stacey team have built here is exactly the kind of bold, student-centered thinking we want to see flourish across our district. This grant is well-earned, and we could not be more proud of what it will mean for these students," said Superintendent Gunn Marie Hansen, Ph.D.
With the grant funding, Stacey will equip a working maker space with tools selected to allow multiple students to build simultaneously. In addition to the CNC router and CAD software, the program includes sanders, miter saws, portable power stations, and a Cricut Venture machine for adding design and graphic elements to finished projects. Two laptops will support students in running design software and learning the digital workflows found in modern manufacturing environments.
“At Stacey Middle School, we ensure all students learn at high levels. This Hyundai grant will allow us to equip our STEM and woodshop programs with innovative tools and technology, ensuring our career pathway students develop the skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities needed to thrive in a world-class learning environment,” shared Principal Rick Nichols.
The Future Innovators Initiative is made possible through partnerships with Hyundai and the Orange County Schools Bright Futures Foundation, supported by the Orange County Department of Education and participating schools across the county. Grant distribution, program coordination, and recognition opportunities are planned for the start of the 2026 to 2027 school year.
In his congratulatory letter to the school, David Blair, Executive Director of the Orange County Schools Bright Futures Foundation, noted that Stacey's proposal stood out for its innovation and student-centered thinking, and expressed pride in partnering with schools across Orange County to advance meaningful opportunities for students.
Stacey's selection reflects Westminster School District's commitment to student-centered work across all 17 of its school sites. Expanding access to hands-on STEM learning, particularly for students who have historically had fewer pathways into technical fields, is central to the district's mission to educate and empower all students to pursue excellence through a distinctive, rigorous, and engaging academic experience.
Families interested in learning more about the academic programs and opportunities available at Westminster School District's award-winning middle schools, including Helen F. Stacey, are encouraged to visit the district middle school page.