In 2009, the Technology Education Foundation (TEF) awarded grants to deserving recipients throughout Southern Wisconsin. Each recipient demonstrated their ability to provide technology exposure for the greater good of our community. Congratulations to Capital Science and Engineering Fair, Cherokee Middle School, Madison Area Technical College, Information Technology Academy and Orchard Ridge Elementary School.
Capital Science and Engineering Fair attracts high school students performing original science, technology, math, or engineering research. Winners at the fair receive prizes and are funded to travel to the 2009 International Science and Engineering Fair in San Jose, California. Capital Science and Engineering Fair will use their TEF grant ($1,000) to fund travel and awards for these students.
Cherokee Middle School is a diverse learning community dedicated to providing students with strong curriculum, leadership, and support. Students are expected to use problem solving skills, respect diversity, develop self-confidence, and make a positive contribution to the learning environment. Cherokee will use their TEF grant ($6,000) to purchase a Turning Point Student Response System which allows students to answer questions posed by a teacher on a screen or interactive whiteboard. The teacher can then instantly assess how individuals or the whole class is thinking.
Madison Area Technical College (MATC) provides hands-on training for more than 140 careers through associate degree and professional certificate programs. In response to a decrease in female enrollment in their information technology (IT) courses they introduced the Girl Tech Camp and the Women in IT Scholarship. MATC will use their TEF grant ($9,800) to help fund these two programs. The Girl Tech Camp targets middle school aged girls and offers them hands-on experience in computer networking, programming, security, and systems administration/electronics. The Women in IT Scholarship program provides scholarships for full-time, part-time and textbooks for female students in IT programs.
The UW-DoIT Information Technology Academy (ITA) is a unique 4-year pre-college technology access and training program for under-served minority and low-income students residing in the Madison area. ITA’s dual purpose is to increase the number of students of color interested and prepared to assume careers in information technology, and to prepare these students for competitive University admissions through our academic curriculum. The Information Technology Academy will use their TEF grant ($6,750) to support this program in 2009-10.
Orchard Ridge Elementary School is a small elementary school on the west side of Madison, educating approximately 270 students. At a poverty level of 57%, it is a Title 1 school with small class sizes and good individual attention for each student. Orchard Ridge Elementary strives to provide all students with the educational opportunities they need to become successful in life. They have developed a plan called the Technology Education Initiative which, over the next 3-5 years, will update all of the school’s technology equipment. Orchard Ridge Elementary will use their TEF grant ($4,820) to purchase a long list of technology-based equipment for classroom use.
Did you know that 100% of proceeds from the Berbee Derby go to the Madison-based Technology Education Fund (TEF)? The annual Thanksgiving Day event has become a family tradition for many. Fun event for all ages and levels.
The Berbee Derby celebrated their 20 year anniversary this Thanksgiving — which was its final year of the annual event.