St. Louis, MO. – The Innovative Technology Education Fund (ITEF) is awarding a total of $173,205.00 to six area schools, through 2019 Catapult Grants ranging from $12,375 to $29,923. These competitive grants are provided to allow schools in our region to obtain basic technology, and level the playing field for students K-12.
The winning schools received their grant awards in person at ITEF’s office at CET in the Cortex district on December 2. They are:
- Carr Lane Visual and Performing Arts Middle School (SLPS) “High School Here I Come!” This grant is approved for 88 Dell Latitude computers which will upgrade student access to internet connected devices and allow more students to use devices simultaneously. Awarded: $29,705.75
- City Garden Montessori School (Private): “Technology to Enhance Instruction” City Garden Montessori had an inadequate number of devices for the student body and old network switches which created slow and inconsistent connectivity. Awarded: $29,923.00
- Ferguson Middle School (Ferg-Flor): “Achieving Independence Through Technology” The arts department at the middle school had no devices for student use and as a department, were unable to use online programs. Awarded: $12,375.00
- Marian Middle School (Parochial): “Wireless Acess” The gym is the center of this school but has no wireless access. Connectivity will allow school wide assemblies and performances in this underutilized space. Awarded: $26,500.00
- Nottingham Community Access and Job Training H.S. (SLPS): “Achieving Independence Through Technology” This grant will transform the sparse and outdated technology inventory and access by providing resources for 40 laptops and 20 iPads. Awarded: $29,911.75
- Wedgwood Sixth Grade Center (Ferg-Flor): “Make Learning Chrome-Tastic!” This grant will ensure that all 370 students have access to a device. Awarded: $29,789.82
“It is impossible for an educator to be innovative when they lack the basic equipment necessary for modern pedagogy. The Catapult grant makes space for the educators who want to be innovative to take the next step and begin the planning to bring innovation into their classroom or school.” said Charmaine Smith, Chief Executive Officer of ITEF. “We know that by providing resources for basic technology, we are opening the door for educators who will apply for an innovator grant in the next year or two.
ITEF is a St. Louis-based, charitable, nonprofit foundation that supports innovation in education by funding basic technology that leads to advanced uses of technology in the classrooms of public, private, parochial, and charter schools in the greater St. Louis area. ITEF also provides grants for professional development.
Since 2008, ITEF has provided more than $4 million in grants to St. Louis-area schools, helping fund the creation of makerspaces with advanced technology like 3-D printers and robotics equipment, full digital media and video production spaces, and even STEM-based agriculture labs where students learned problem-solving through hands-on use of farming technology. The Catapult grant is a newly introduced grant category.
Grantees are selected by ITEF board members from a pool of eligible applicants who meet requirements, including being an accredited K-12 public, private, charter, or parochial school in the greater St. Louis region.