Education

The physics and engineering students took on a NASA challenge to design a giant shade to shield space telescopes from unwanted light. They took second place in the contest, finishing behind only Notre Dame.

State money would help school divisions comply with a menstrual product law at a time when many localities are looking for ways to trim expenses, but it didn’t make it into the budget this year.

Bedford County is weighing four options, all of which involve closing Stewartsville Elementary.

The county will plug a significant state funding gap by closing Burnt Chimney and Henry elementary schools. Meanwhile, similar discussions have begun in neighboring Bedford County.

Putting solar panels on Cave Spring High School would save the division an estimated $2 million in utility costs over 25 years, but some board members are concerned that a long lease period is too risky.

The alumni used the information to encourage classmates to donate to a private foundation rather than to official fundraising campaigns.

The free school, which will offer high school diploma classes for adults, is expected to open within the next two years.

Students can complete their degree in three years rather than four, and they will get a break on tuition.

An impending $3.7 million decrease in state funding, along with enrollment declines, has raised the prospect of the county closing some schools.

Virginia Tech President Tim Sands said that a local housing shortage limits growth for the research university, but that collaboration with surrounding localities is coming.