Melissa Thompson clicks her mouse, and a 3D printer hums to life. The rhythmic sound draws the attention of her students, who crowd around to watch as the machine begins layering melted plastic, turning a digital design into a tangible object. For these students at Indian Creek Middle School in Covington, poetry is no longer confined to paper. It’s becoming interactive artwork.

Thanks to support from the University of Georgia and Georgia Power, Thompson is blending creativity and technology to prepare students for a future where design thinking and problem-solving are essential skills.

Georgia Power’s investment in UGA’s Connected Resilient Communities (CRC) program helps implement projects and initiatives communities designed with UGA students and faculty. Archway Partnership, a part of UGA Public Service and Outreach, operates the program, which brings UGA resources to communities to create strategic solutions to local challenges such as workforce development, downtown revitalization and infrastructure needs. The Georgia Power funding has helped implement 10 CRC projects since 2024.

“Georgia Power is a valued partner in our mission to serve the state. Their support extends the impact of our partnership with communities to create a stronger, more resilient Georgia,” said Stacy Jones, vice president for Public Service and Outreach. “This partnership reflects our shared belief in the power of education, innovation and public service to shape a better future for all Georgians.”

Through its Connect Newton program, launched in 2018, county leaders identified workforce readiness as a critical priority. To help address this need, they created a week-long teacher externship program that places educators in local businesses to learn the skills and technologies shaping today’s jobs.

Working within CRC, Connect Newton later came up with an idea to work with local educators to turn what they learned in the externship into classroom projects as part of the Connect Newton Implementation Initiative. It was supported by Georgia Power funding through CRC and educators could receive up to $500 to put these projects into action. 

For Thompson, the school librarian, that meant creating a project that blends poetry, graphic design and 3D modeling to give students practical skills and a clearer understanding of how creativity and technology intersect in modern workplaces.

The funding was a game-changer for Thompson, a UGA alumna who began teaching in 2015.

“Having partners like UGA and Georgia Power is huge because I never could have gotten a 3D printer without this support,” she said. “It would have taken five years of book fairs to raise the money. Plus, the flexibility of the grant funding meant I could purchase the printer directly from the manufacturer and bring this project to life for my students right away. The biggest piece of having the printer is that it just gets them excited about poetry, which is really hard to do for 12- and 13-year-olds.”

That flexibility allowed Thompson to move quickly from idea to implementation, creating a lesson that sparked engagement in ways traditional assignments rarely do.

After students draft their poems on paper, they create 2D digital designs. This stage challenges them to think like graphic designers—manipulating text and symbolic shapes to complement their poems. Many discover that design requires experimentation and isn’t as simple as typing words into a box.

Once designs are finalized, selected pieces are converted into 3D models, sliced, and prepared for printing. Students learn that intricate shading and fine lines won’t translate to the 3D printer, which uses melted plastic to build objects layer by layer. Seeing the printer in action helps them understand the limitations and possibilities of the medium.

It’s also where Thompson uses the project to teach more than technology.

Students often get frustrated when things don’t work as expected, but Thompson sees them developing perseverance and resilience. Watching their excitement as poems evolve from words on a page to tangible art pieces reinforces the value of connecting creativity with real-world technology.

“I really like this part of the lesson because the kids get to practice their ‘productive struggle’ skills,” said Thompson.

Empowering future leaders

Georgia Power’s support of CRC projects extends beyond classrooms. In Claxton-Evans County, funding helped relaunch Leadership Evans. With updated curriculum developed by UGA’s J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, the program graduated a new cohort in 2025 and plans for another in 2027 aimed at building a strong leadership network prepared to manage economic growth.

Michael Tucker, an Operational Support Manager for the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice, joined the program after moving to Claxton and seeing a need for community leadership. Concerned about the area’s long-term future, he became particularly interested in supporting local schools as a key driver of community growth.

Tucker said the program provided valuable content and fostered a shared purpose among participants, which helped him better understand diverse perspectives and how his work affects others. He now applies these insights to build stronger relationships and improve collaboration both in his community and on the job.

“Leadership Evans was different because it brought together people from my own community who shared a common purpose,” he said. “That environment helped me step back, listen and really appreciate diverse perspectives, which changed how I approach collaboration both at work and in the community. Having partners like UGA and Georgia Power make programs like this possible is invaluable, and that investment builds stronger leaders who can drive positive change where it matters most.”

Helping communities leverage natural assets

Madison County leveraged the Broad River to strengthen connections between the river and downtown areas through a CRC project. As part of a sustainability certificate, UGA students created a story map recommending safety improvements and better links between river recreation and local towns. Recommendations included Georgia Grown Trail 98, a 21-stop route from Homer to Comer that promotes agritourism.

A mural in downtown Danielsville serves as a beautification project and a promotion for Trail 98 and the Georgia Grown Trails program. Funded by Georgia Power, the mural proudly promotes MADICO MADE, an initiative encouraging residents and visitors to support local businesses. The mural, painted by the UGA Color the World Bright program and based on original landscapes by Autumn Farmer Strickland Art, features scenes from along the South Fork of the Broad River.

“Funding from Georgia Power allowed Madison County to bring a key part of our CRC mission to life —literally—through the mural,” said Cory-Lynn Thurston, vice president of operations and member relations for the Madison County Chamber of Commerce.

Brought together by a shared understanding that collaboration makes outcomes better, UGA and Georgia Power partner across the state to invest in Georgia for Georgians.

“Investing in our teachers, students, and local communities is foundational to building a more innovative and resilient Georgia,” said Jonathan King, director of workforce development for Georgia Power. “Through investments like our support of UGA’s Connected Resilient Communities program, we’re aligning learning with real‑world skills, expanding local capacity to solve challenges, and preparing students for high‑demand careers. This helps communities grow today and become more resilient for tomorrow, ensuring we are generating opportunities and empowering futures in every corner of our state.”