The Qwest Foundation and the Arizona Technology in Education Alliance (AzTEA) announced the second wave of teachers to be awarded grants in the Foundation’s $100,000 Teachers and Technology program. Teachers are awarded grants for innovative use of technology in the classroom. The grants, which range in amounts from $2,500 to nearly $10,000, were awarded to eight educators in five different Arizona counties. “Qwest is committed to making a positive difference in the communities where customers live and work, and we are proud to invest in Arizona teachers and children,” said Pat Quinn, Qwest president for Arizona. “We’re excited at the depth and creativity displayed in this second group of grant submissions.”
The purpose of the Qwest Foundation grant program is to recognize Arizona K-12 public school teachers who are using technology in the classroom in new and innovative ways to: improve student performance; increase an awareness of how teachers are using technology in the classroom; and, model best practices with technology integration improving student achievement. Funds are awarded twice a year with the current grants announced at Arizona State University in Tempe during the “Microcomputers in Education Conference” on March 11, 2008.
More information on the program and the entire list of winners is available on AzTEA’s Web site at www.aztea.org. “Judging the entries is both frustrating and invigorating,” said AzTEA President Chris Johnson. “Frustrating in that it’s very difficult to choose one great idea over another that is equally as creative. However, the invigoration comes from knowing our children will be inspired by the creativity of some very gifted Arizona educators.”
Of the eight award recipients, one involved biotechnology:
- Name: Theodor V. Jordan
- District: Casa Grande Union High School District
- School: Casa Grande Union School #82
- Grant: $9,992.87
- Project Name: Biotechnology, DNA and You
- Project Description: This involves making students aware of the applications of biotechnology as it relates to themselves and the structure and function of DNA. Students will use a cheek cell extraction kit to extract DNA from their own cheek cells, prepare the DNA and use it for a PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction). Students will then compare DNA fingerprint and discuss population genetic variability. This will provide insights to student learning and higher order of thinking, which is typically done in a university setting.