Derby – Earlier today, flanked by State Representative Themis Klarides (R-114th) and Bradley School teachers, Principal Linda Coppola showcased $65,000 of new laptops, projectors and other resources for Bradley Elementary school children.”Winning this grant brought technology resources that the district simply couldn’t afford,” said Principal Linda Coppola about the competitive Enhancing Education Through Technology Grant (EETT). “This will enable us to integrate science and technology in innovative ways that we hadn’t been able to do,” she continued.
Representative Klarides, who was on hand to see the new equipment and discuss state funding to schools, said ” This grant award is a tremendous resource and has provided much-needed assets at a time when state and local budgets are unable to offer them. Bradley School officials have found an innovative way to address a need under the limits of the time.”
“The laptops are part of a mobile wireless system that can wheeled from classroom-to-classroom,” said XX year Bradley School technology teacher, Jennifer Pacelli who authored the EETT grant. “It will help teachers develop ways of breathing new life into lessons that will motivate Derby’s 21st Century learners,” she continued, echoing a statement she wrote in the grant application.
The EETT grant is part of the State Department of Education’s 21st Century Skills in Science project.
Derby’s proposal focused on integrating science curricula in grades 4-6 and included funding for extensive professional development. “Technology like this opens up a world of resources for science teachers to use in the classroom and for students to build a stronger scientific foundation, ” said Superintendent Stephen Tracy. He continued “the professional development component was crucial to ensuring that teachers can maximize the potential for these resources to promote learning.”
Dr. Tacy added that “The EETT Grant is a one-year award. But it is likely to bring benefits for years to come – and for the lifetime of students who benefit from it.”
