The Perry Elementary School has landed a $50,000 planning grant in the Computer Science is Elementary project, an initiative of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ STEM Advisory Council and the Iowa Department of Education.
Perry is one of only six schools in Iowa selected to each receive funding in the new public-private partnership that aims to transform six high-poverty elementary schools into models of innovative computer science instruction.
Reynolds announced the Perry Elementary School as a winner April 30 at the 2019 Future Ready Iowa-STEM Summit in Des Moines. She said the goal of the program is to create opportunities for students and a statewide network of computer science expertise.
Along with the Perry Elementary School, other grant winners in the Computer Science is Elementary project are:
- Denison Elementary in the Denison Community School District
- Lenihan Intermediate in the Marshalltown Community School District
- Cora B. Darling Elementary in the Postville Community School District
- East Union Elementary in the East Union Community School District
- Richardson Elementary in the Fort Madison Community School District
“Computer science is a new basic skill that’s required for success in a workforce constantly impacted by innovation and technology,” Reynolds said. “With tomorrow’s workers sitting in today’s classrooms, we must prepare our students to be continuous learners and adaptable for the disruptive economy of the future.”
The Computer Science is Elementary project aligns with Future Ready Iowa, which sets the goal of 70 percent of the workforce having education or training beyond high school by the year 2025. The initiative also focuses on strengthening pre-K-through-12 education and career exploration and preparation.
Thirty schools applied for the awards, which are made possible through support from private-sector partners that raised $350,000 total: Collins Aerospace as the lead sponsor, Principal Financial Group, MidAmerican Energy, Kemin Industries, Microsoft, Google, ITC Midwest, Alliant Energy, Technology Association of Iowa, Verizon, Paragon IT, AT&T, School Administrators of Iowa, Workiva, Pella Rolscreen Foundation, Merchant Bonding and Bankers Trust.
The Loess Hills Computer Programming School, the inspiration for the Computer Science is Elementary project, also will receive a $50,000 grant to serve as a project resource.
The Perry Elementary School will implement its program no later than the 2020-21 school year with regular school funding.
