A local foundation has given a big contribution to help upgrade technology for Houston Middle School students.
The Houston Education Foundation (HEF) last week presented $8,000 to the Houston School District for Chromebooks for the eighth-grade class. About 70 will be purchased.
The total outlay is about $21,000. Federal matching funds also contributed about $7,500. The equipment is important to integrate STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) instruction.
Members of the Houston Education Foundation and administrators with the Houston School District join to mark a donation to upgrade technology in the eighth grade. Front row: Amanda Munson, middle school principal; Chris Honeycutt, Melissa Herndon, Reese Bucher and Dr. Tom Dunn. Back row: Dr. Allen Moss, school superintendent; Dan Adey, Becky Eidson, Ross Richardson and Dr. Joe Richardson.
Previously laptops were used in the grade, but those were outdated, and the batteries won’t stay charged all day. “Project Lead the Way,” the STEM curriculum, also is supported on Chromebooks. That will allow eighth grade students to use their assigned Chromebook in science and computers for STEM projects.
HEF’s mission is “promoting education excellence and opportunity beyond the scope of the Houston R-1 school system by generating financial resources from private funds to provide support for education programs.” Donations are tax-deductible.
With donor support, HEF has in the past funded Chromebook computers and charging carts for use in grades 3-5 and 7-12, new uniforms for band members, multi-purpose portable risers with safety rails (used mostly by students in choir), a sound system for Hiett Gymnasium and more.