Mar. 21, 2012 – LEGO® Education North America and the Education Blueprints Association today announced the 14 recipients of the Smart Schools Grant. Funded
by LEGO Education and administered by the Education Blueprints
Association (EBA), the Smart Schools Grant Program will enable designated
schools to integrate the continuum of LEGO Education products from
elementary to high school levels. Each district will match the $40,000
grant, and the funds will be distributed among at least one elementary,
middle and high school in each district for a minimum of three academic
school years. Each grant also includes a free community outreach package
valued at $5,000, which enables each district to host a LEGO building
event and open house to demonstrate the new programs to the surrounding
community.
(Printable PDF)
News Highlights
- Fourteen districts across the nation were selected as the first-ever LEGO Smart Schools Grant recipients by LEGO Education North America and the Education Blueprints Association based on an extensive application process.
- LEGO Smart Schools will implement a program with hands-on, minds-on, and engaging LEGO Education products and services to enhance learning across curricular areas with focus in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) at all grade levels.
- Students attending LEGO Smart Schools will experience a learning environment that sparks creativity and innovation and helps foster 21st-century skills such as collaboration and creative problem solving.
- A.B. Combs Magnet Elementary School, one of the first Smart Schools, is featuring its creative approach to learning at the “LEGO Way of Teaching” Creativity and Innovation Day on Wednesday, March 21, in Raleigh, North Carolina. (View highlights of event.)
LEGO Smart Schools Grant recipients include districts in:
- Olympia, WA
- Winona, MN
- Clinton Township, MI
- Mansfield, TX
- Mesa, AZ
- Scottsdale, AZ
- Pomona, CA
- Chapin, SC
- Texarkana, TX
- Roebuck, SC
- South Daytona/Port Orange, FL
- Tampa, FL
- Raleigh, NC
- Knightdale, NC
Quotes:
“The Smart Schools Grant Program will help further inspire teachers and students to embody how a hands-on, minds-on approach to learning can make a difference in their education,” said Stephan Turnipseed, president, LEGO Education North America. “One example is A.B. Combs Magnet Elementary School in the Wake County Public School System, who exemplifies the true spirit of creativity in the classroom and showcases how STEM education has a profound impact on learning.”
“There’s no price tag that you can put on what I have seen happen as a result of providing a creative, open learning environment for our children,” said Muriel Summers, principal of A.B. Combs Leadership Magnet Elementary School. “Being a LEGO Smart Schools Grant recipient will help us continue to infuse this type of learning into our curriculum and grow each student’s unique gifts and talents through hands-on, minds-on education.”
“Students need to master science, technology, engineering, and math skills, while at the same time, provide opportunities to integrate their STEM knowledge with critical-thinking, teamwork, and creative problem-solving skills in order to help form the necessary foundation to become an active participant in our ever-changing world,” said Richard Oler, Board of Directors member, Education Blueprints Association. “The Smart Schools Grant Program provides the tools necessary for students to gain 21st-century skills necessary to become successful future leaders.”
Editor Contact: Trisha McDonell, 512-659-5381
About Education Blueprints Association: Education Blueprints Association (EBA) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit with the mission: “To provide resources and programs that deliver education solutions for individuals, teachers, and students.” EBA focuses on championing for learners in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education by designing, developing, and implementing programs at all levels of the education continuum.
About LEGO Education: Since 1980, LEGO Education has delivered hands-on, curriculum-based resources for teachers and students worldwide. LEGO Education believes a hands-on, minds-on approach helps students actively take ownership of the learning process and develop 21st-century skills such as creative thinking and problem solving through real-life, engaging experiences.
LEGO, the LEGO logo, DUPLO, WEDO, MINDSTORMS, and the MINDSTORMS logo are trademarks of the LEGO Group. ©2012 The LEGO Group.
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