Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington has received a $500,000 grant from SunTrust Foundation to go towards the makerspace on the school’s new campus, according to a news release Tuesday.

The makerspace, now called the SunTrust Foundation Makerspace, combines a 21st-century science lab, woodshop, computer lab and art room in an area that promotes creativity.

"We are dedicated to helping GLOW students break through gender barriers," Todd Godbey, CEO of GLOW Academy said in the release. "The SunTrust Foundation Makerspace will ensure that our graduates have the skills to better compete and succeed in the modern business world or create businesses of their own."

The makerspace is a 1,120 square foot space and currently has some equipment available for students including 3D printers, laminators, chrome books and vinyl cutters.

The grant will fund workspace modules, safety equipment, mechanical and power tools, materials and equipment for woodworking, metalworking and textile projects, a 3D printer, laser cutter and robotic workstations.

The money will also help cover faculty training, staffing and science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) curriculum.

"We are delighted to establish this learning environment for Wilmington's GLOW Academy," Stan Little, president of the SunTrust Foundation said in the release. "We believe the SunTrust Foundation Makerspace will have a direct and valuable impact on young women as they explore their creativity in STEAM fields."

SunTrust Foundation is the philanthropic arm of SunTrust Bank.

This grant comes more than a month after the grand opening of GLOW’s new campus on a 31-acre site on 4100 Sunglow Drive.

The new campus, a $16 million project, serves about 400 sixth- through ninth-grade students in the 2019-20 academic year and is projected to grow to 725 students in the 2022-23 academic year, according to the release.

Last week, GLOW announced that celebrity chef Tyler Florence will come to Wilmington to support the school through three fundraising events in January.

According to the release, the enhanced makerspace will expose students to inquiry-based instruction, problem-solving and collaboration skills.