Six Wake County schools will benefit from a new education program launched by LEGO Education that will promote the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) concept.
LEGO Education North America and the Education Blueprint Association are giving the Wake County school system two $40,000 grants with the district providing a matching $80,000. Wake is receiving two of the 14 regional centers for the LEGO Smart Schools program.
The money will allow three Raleigh schools (Combs Elementary, Centennial Campus Middle and Athens Drive High) and three Knightdale schools (Hodge Road Elementary, East Wake Middle and Knightdale High) to receive special hands-on programs from LEGO.
More details about what the schools will receive will be unveiled at a presentation this morning at Combs.
Comments
Combs is basically in
Thu, 03/22/2012 - 11:20 — KeungHui (author)Combs is basically in because they got involved before the grant program was developed. Because of the school's work with Stephen Covey, Combs Principal Muriel Summer was invited to a meeting five years ago at the Friday Institute at NC State where LEGO Education reps talked about how they could work with school. Combs got use of the LEGO products soon afterward. But the new grant will let the school use even more material.
When LEGO came up with the grants, Combs worked with the school system on applying for them. LEGO says Combs wasn't picked because it had worked with the company, but they do say that it might have helped Combs write a very persuasive grant application. Centennial and Athens Drive are in the grant because they're part of the Combs feeder.
Combs isn't a STEM school, it's a leadership magnet...
Wed, 03/21/2012 - 23:11 — raleighlauraSo why not site this great new program at one of the NON magnet STEM schools, preferably one that was "under chosen"?
I see now, I was wrong. It is both.
Thu, 03/22/2012 - 17:48 — raleighlauraSorry I assumed that. I've heard how wonderful the 7 Habits curriculum is for so long that I didn't check to see what had changed. My point still stands, though.
details...
Thu, 03/22/2012 - 11:15 — localyankI don't know the details, but it might depend on who wrote the grant proposal. Individual schools (or teams of schools) can sometimes take the initiative themselves. If that's the case, that would explain why it went to these particular schools. It's been my experience that the active schools get these extras, which is what makes the schools popular in the first place. Again, I don't know the details, but you shouldn't penalize a school for doing the extra things.
totally agree
Thu, 03/22/2012 - 11:18 — EBDarcyI'd love to know how this came about.
I noticed in the more recent
Thu, 03/22/2012 - 11:23 — jenmanI noticed in the more recent blog post that it says this program will help Combs emphasize the STEM model. (I'm paraphrasing--can't remember the exact words). Is Combs becoming a STEM school?
It's a STEM school.
Thu, 03/22/2012 - 11:54 — KeungHui (author)It's a STEM school.
It appears to get to be both leadership and STEM
Thu, 03/22/2012 - 17:46 — raleighlauraOn the WCPSS site, Combs is listed as a both a leadership magnet and a STEM school. Nice double dip, there. Again, how do schools get in on that double program deal?
From the site
Curriculum: Leadership
Theme Description
1.Emphasis on 21st Century leadership development and character development based on principles of Dr. Stephen Covey (7 Habits of Highly Effective People)
2.Focus on personal and academic goal setting, individual initiative and responsibility, and participation in service learning
3.Student-led projects developing communication and presentation skills
Completely agree..
Thu, 03/22/2012 - 09:01 — WakeCtyMomCombs typically turns away hundreds of kids each year who want to get in. Why add to this school when so many others are floundering?
wondered the same thing
Thu, 03/22/2012 - 10:08 — EBDarcyDoes Combs need another program when so many other schools could benefit from this type of program? It's already a great school with so much to offer. Why not put this at another school where it would generate a lot of excitement and boost interest in the school?