April 2008 — News
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Qwest Awards Technology Grants to 4 Schools
Extra Credit The Teachers and Technology mini-grant program funds preK-12 technology initiatives to schools in the 14 states where Qwest does business. More Information --D. Nagel |
The Qwest Foundation this month awarded grants to teachers in four schools through its Teachers and Technology program. The program is designed to fund technologies geared specifically toward improving student achievement, including interactive classroom technologies, online tools, and gear to support scientific work, in preK-12 schools.
Two teachers at Park Elementary school, part of the Natrona County School District in Wyoming, were awarded $5,000 grants from the foundation in conjunction with the Wyoming Department of Education. Through the grants, the teachers--Lynn Ahrndt and Kelly Toups--will purchase equipment to engage their students in "EarthCaching," an outdoor geoscience activity that uses GPS systems and digital cameras to catalog natural features while attempting to have no negative impact on them (as would be the case with, say, digging or physically collecting objects). For the fifth- and sixth-grade students, the program will include learning GPS technology, taking field trips, and sharing their work.
"Our state's teachers continually look beyond traditional methods of instruction when it comes to making sure their students succeed," said Wyoming State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jim McBride in a statement released this week. "And the Qwest Teachers and Technology grants are one way to advance new learning techniques that capture students' attention--and pave the way for their futures."
EarthCaching is related to Geocaching, which is a GPS-based treasure-hunting game.
Also in Wyoming, at Park County School District # 1, Powell High School teacher Zack Opps has been awarded a $12,000 grant to pursue a science-focused, interdisciplinary project involving biology, computer technology, GIS, Advanced Placement composition, Web design, algebra, and Spanish, according to the school. The objective of the project is to study a local invasive plant species--to map its location and work with a county agency to control it.
