Tech Directions - March 2008 - (Page 25)

technology infrastructure as our foundation, we are working to raise not just the quantity but the quality of the classes supporting these higher math and science requirements. SolidWorks 3D computer-aided design (CAD) software, and Pitsco donated bridge-building and robotics kits to support our engineering courses and FIRST Robotics teams. Other contributors included the resource facility serving all public schools in New Orleans, with the support and guidance of the University of New Orleans and Tulane University Engineering Departments. The center provides a significant Help from Public and Private Sectors Although Hurricane Katrina left us without schools, facilities, and computers, the intense media coverage of the disaster and the increased public awareness that our student population had been underserved created a charitable desire among companies, foundations, and a number of retired teachers who offered to help in the rebuilding effort. While offers of assistance to the city came in every conceivable form from around the globe, contributions in the educational arena primarily took the form of corporate grants; increased education funding; and private donations of computer hardware, software, and equipment. The storm created more public interest in our cause and stoked a growing awareness at the local, state, and federal level that we lacked adequate support to produce an educational system worthy of tackling the challenges of rebuilding a great city. While the government provided disaster relief funds and trailers to provide emergency housing for our returning teachers, several companies and organizations made donations that were critical to laying the technology groundwork for a revamped STEM effort. Shell Exploration & Production Co. donated an engineering lab to McMain Senior High School to encourage our fledgling robotics engineers. Shell also stepped up to support the founding of the New Orleans Regional Science & Math Resources Center, created to support exemplary STEM instruction. Best Buy stores in the Gulf Coast region made a large donation of computers that we used to equip all the schools that are back in service. The district was also able to use federal funds to buy additional laptops for use by students and teachers. SolidWorks Corporation donated 30 network licenses of SolidWorks CEO John McEleney and COO Jeff Ray present a check for free seats of SolidWorks software for the New Orleans Public Schools to the author. American Human Genetics Society and Northrop Grumman. The huge outpouring of help following Hurricane Katrina resulted in the establishment of the New Orleans Regional Science and Mathematics Resources Center, a parish-wide resource to all schools: from access to a robotics program that begins in the elementary schools. The Resources Center, which did not exist before the storm, is fast becoming a critically important shared resource for educators in New Orleans, who www.techdirections.com STEM 25 http://www.industrialpress.com/en/tabid/89/tabid/97/default.aspx http://www.industrialpress.com http://www.industrialpress.com http://www.techdirections.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Tech Directions - March 2008

Tech Directions - March 2008 Technically Speaking Contents Direct from Washington The News Report Technology’s Past Technology Today Mastering Computers HDTV—Understanding the New, Dealing with the Old Technical Studies Lead to Dream Career Fill and Fund Your CAD Classroom with These Exciting Strategies STEM Progress in Katrina’s Wake School Web Site of the Month Spring Spotlight More than Fun

Tech Directions - March 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.