Dartmouth High School students may soon be fabricating parts for robots, incubating and analyzing bacteria, and learning about the human body using an interactive, digital cadaver.

Educators are overhauling the school's computer science, engineering, and biotechnology classes with equipment purchases made possible via a $500,000 grant acquired through the Massachusetts Skills Capital Grant Program. The program funds big-ticket items that enhance vocational and technical training for students seeking to enter high-demand industries involving science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Educators say they're hoping the grant will help them not only engage students who are seeking to enter four-year college programs after graduation, but also those students who are considering two-year programs or launching immediately into a career.

“We want our students to have as many options available as possible so they can make the best choice for themselves,” said Dartmouth High Principal Ross Thibault. “What we never want is for a student to have only one option available.”

Peter Bangs, the school's lead science teacher, is hoping to acquire an Anatomage table. The table features a digital human body with which students can fully interact.

Bangs is also seeking to supplement his lessons with machines that will allow students to analyze protein samples and incubate bacteria.

He's also excited about the potential to purchase thermal cyclers, which are used to analyze and map out DNA. He is imagining experiments that will be possible with the new technology -- such as learning why students perceive taste differently based on their individual genetic makeup.

"A lot of this is to give kids these skills, but my intent is also to get kids asking questions we don't know the answers to," Bangs said, adding that the technology will open the door to individual and independent research projects.

Samuel Brodsky, who teaches robotics classes and runs the school’s robotics club, hopes to bring 3D printers and other computer-controlled fabrication machines into his classroom. It currently houses one inoperable, out-of-date machine.

“It’s 15 years old, and I got it to work, but it keeps breaking down,” Brodsky said. “It won’t run newer software either.”

The 3D printers could open up new teaching opportunities, as well as enhance his robotics class by allowing students to fabricate their own parts for robots.

Expanding its STEM offerings is a goal the district has been working toward for some time, notes Superintendent Bonny Gifford. The district has built up opportunities at the elementary and middle school levels with increased staffing, before- and after-school programming, and updates to the curriculum. Last year, educators began focusing on offering more choices for students upon graduation.

“We were missing that gap of kids that do not go to a four-year school,” said Director of Teaching and Learning Tracy Oliveira. “Even for kids who go to four-year schools, engineering programs are so difficult now. A solid background gives our students a leg up on the competition when they get there.”

Thibault added that although the school isn’t aiming to compete with the offerings of vocational high schools, he hopes the grant will help Dartmouth High School become the school of choice in the region with state-of-the-art programs and equipment.

Officials also hope to develop relationships with community colleges and companies in the technology sector.

District officials are now submitting a detailed budget and timeline for using the funds to the state Department of Education. Once all is submitted, officials will sign a contract with the state and the money will be made available.

Administrators decided to apply for the grant after meeting with the New Bedford Workforce Investment Board and learning about the opportunities the grant presented. District officials were already working with the Highlander Institute, a Providence, Rhode Island-based nonprofit, to focus on personalized learning and career pathways.