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September 30, 2012

Schools get tech training grants

Grand View, Peggs districts among recipients

By Cathy Spaulding Phoenix Staff Writer

— Two Cherokee County schools can strengthen their teaching of science, math, engineering and technology with help from the Oklahoma Department of Education.

Grand View and Peggs, two pre-kindergarten/

eighth-grade districts, were among 10 Oklahoma elementary schools recognized as K20 STEM-Ready Schools for 2013. This designation comes with grant funds for teacher training in science, technology, engineering and math — STEM, for short.

The Oklahoma Department of Education allocated $300,000 for training, salaries and benefits for about 200 teachers at the 10 schools. The grant does not go to individual schools.

“This is a great opportunity for our kids because it allows them to look into new careers,” said Peggs School Superintendent Dr. John Cox. “It seems like everything we’re doing is more technology-oriented. Experts say we’re teaching kids to find careers that haven’t even been invented yet. We hope this will help our kids get a head start.”

Cox said 14 Peggs teachers will be involved in the STEM training.

Grand View Superintendent Ed Kennedy said he plans to get all district teachers involved in the STEM training. He said he intends to find a way to incorporate STEM teaching in all classes, even specialty areas such as social studies.

“We have technology in place,” Kennedy said.

Grand View received a grant several years ago to fund laptops for each student in its middle school.

“We’re looking for any resource possible to help our kids get knowledge they need for careers,” said Grand View’s federal projects director, Cheryl Deaman. “We should be teaching real life, engaging activities.”

A media release said Department of Education math and science directors will work with STEM specialists to train teachers throughout the year.

Jeff Downs, the department’s executive director for STEM, said schools represent a variety of readiness. They range from schools that never focused on STEM to those more advanced.

Schools were selected on various criteria, including commitment to implementing Common Core State Standards and commitment to leadership.

Reach Cathy Spaulding at (918) 684-2928 or cspaulding@muskogeephoenix.com.

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