Jenkins County High School (JCHS) was one of 13 high schools in the state of Georgia to receive a Title 11D ARRA Competitive Grant for the purpose of creating 21st Century Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) Labs. The $691, 109 grant is for two STEM labs which will be located at JCHS and Jenkins County Middle School (JCMS). Dr. Kirkland, principal of JCHS, states, “I am very proud of my high school grant writing team members, consisting of Ms. Damita Bynes and Ms. Jodie Nash, for helping to secure this grant for our school.”

Goals of the grant are to increase community understanding of the importance of STEM education, develop model technology enabled STEM labs learning aligned to the Common Core Standards and Georgia Performance Standards, increase Georgia’s capacity to provide high quality K-12 STEM professional learning opportunities, increase student engagement and interest in STEM studies, increase student 21st century skills and technology literacy, and increase the number of students pursuing careers in STEM-related fields.

Dr. Kirkland said, “Our students will be exposed to the most advanced technology on the market today. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the Georgia Performance Standards by utilizing advanced technology to complete high tech STEM projects.”

A major component of STEM Labs is to combine mathematics, science, technology and CTAE standards which emphasize instruction that is inquiry-based through guided discovery, student centered, and focused on authentic application. Teachers from each of the disciplines along with post secondary instructors, and industry experts will develop interdisciplinary, inquiry-based, technology connected, authentic STEM projects.

Dr. Kirkland states, “Through working on STEM projects, our students will be exposed to many different careers in the field of science, mathematics, engineering, and technology. Also, students will be more prepared for colleges and universities, and they will have a greater chance of being admitted to science, technology and engineering post secondary schools.”

“A great aspect of the grant will allow our students an opportunity to conference with other high school STEM Lab students all across the nation and world. This is made possible by the purchase of a high definition Polycom video conference camera and Codec,” continued Dr. Kirkland.

This grant will have an immediate impact on JCHS and JCMS students, as the budget much be submitted in July, and the labs must be fully equipped on the first day of school. Dr. Kirkland states, “My staff is working throughout the summer to make sure all of the guidelines of the grant will be met. It is worth the time spent this summer to make sure our students are exposed to the most advanced technology which is on the market today on the first day of school this year.”