May 9, 2013
Youth Innovation Projects to Support Schools and Technology
In support of youth innovation and new learning experiences for students, the Youth Innovation Program will provide over $422,000 in funding to 24 schools throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development, made the announcement this morning at Hazelwood Elementary.
“Youth are our future, and it is incumbent upon us to provide opportunities to encourage innovation, creativity and build essential skills for students,” said Minister Hutchings. “Funding of $422,000 will support projects which will benefit students by increasing opportunities to use leading-edge technologies and improve technology skillsets.”
The Youth Innovation Program has helped to create awareness of the value of innovation in the province’s high-growth resource and non-resource based industries, with particular emphasis on environmental and ocean technology sectors. Through this initiative, the Provincial Government has created a platform that connects youth in a meaningful way to technology-based opportunities, while also highlighting the central role innovation plays creating long-lasting beneficial experiences for youth in rural and urban areas.
Hazelwood Elementary is one of the recipients of the funding, and will receive $19,697 to introduce iPad technology to students. A complete list of recipients is noted in the attached backgrounder.
“The financial support made available to our school will support the purchase of 25 iPads which will provide opportunity for every student in our school have access to multi-media technology,” said Kirk Smith, Principal, Hazelwood Elementary. “Programs will be introduced in September for each grade level with organized instruction in the creation of movie trailers and movies through the iMovie program. What a tremendous opportunity for students and teachers to use technology to learn.”
The Youth Innovation Program provides non-repayable contributions, up to 80 per cent of eligible project costs to a maximum of $20,000. Since 2009, the Provincial Government has invested close to $1.8 million in 104 projects that support youth innovation.
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Media contacts:
| Heather MacLean Director of Communications Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development 709-729-4570, 697-4137 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca |
Kirk Smith Principal, Hazelwood Elementary 709-368-2123 kirksmith@esdnl.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
2012 Youth Innovation Project Recipients
| School | Project | Funding |
| All Hallows Elementary | Developing 21st Century Fluencies project uses iPad and Smart Board technologies in Grades 1, 3 and 6 | $20,000 |
| Amalgamated Academy | Sharing Our Voice – Amalgamated Academy’s third annual virtual media festival | $20,000 |
| Beachy Cove Elementary | Ipals Language and Collaborative Learning project uses iPad technology to produce cultural understandings between Beachy Cove Elementary and St. Matthew Elementary in Bonavista | $16,860 |
| Brother Rice | Virtual Celebration of Innovation and Culture in Newfoundland and Labrador extra-curricular after school media club | $20,000 |
| Carbonear Collegiate | Making Media Work – A project that will support TV/Video production through the development and creation of webcasts | $20,000 |
| Fatima Academy | 21st Century Tech Team – a project that allows students to use multi-media technologies to produce short films to be entered into the amalgamated media festival | $15,136 |
| Hazelwood Elementary | In Their Hands – introduces iPad technology to early learners | $19,697 |
| Holy Redeemer | 21st Century Learning – a collaborative communication project between students in Newfoundland and Labrador and students in Alberta | $19,830 |
| Holy Trinity Elementary | WOW! Holy Trinity’s Window on the World - provides wireless laptop computers to students to facilitate their environmental awareness program | $20,000 |
| Immaculate Conception School | Tech Tables – a project that uses iPad technology to enhance K-6 daily learning | $13,715 |
| Mobile Central High | Virtual Laboratory – enhanced learning through the use of iPad technology | $18,440 |
| St. Peter’s Elementary | An E-Science Project – students in K-6 will gain experience video conferencing, manipulation of graphics and videos and editing using new software and apps | $20,000 |
| Virginia Park Elementary | Herbron and Virginia Park Initiative – a project that will allow Virginia Park students, along with students in France to follow the development of the Bull Arm Project | $19,735 |
| First Technology | Lego League in Rural NL – the expansion of the first Lego competition featuring student designed mechanical robots | $20,000 |
| StephenvilleHigh School (with Gonzaga High School, Ecole St. Anne, Queen Elizabeth Regional High School and Exploits Valley High) | Bring Your Own Device – a learning technology project that investigates the impact on achievement and student engagement through the use of mobile devices | $20,000 |
| Helen Tulk Elementary | Video Production and Editing project | $20,000 |
| New World Island Academy | New World Island Academy Robotics (ROV) project | $7,607 |
| St. Joseph's Elementary School | Green and Fit for Outdoor Learning Center – a project that will create an outdoor classroom and garden for educational purposes such as mapping of local vegetation, insect collection, bird and other wildlife observations | $18,040 |
| Heritage Collegiate | Heritage Robotics 2013 MATE Competition Project will enable students to construct an ROV and compete in the provincial competition | $8,542 |
| St. Mark's School | St. Mark's ROV Program of Innovation – a project that will enable students to construct an ROV and compete in the provincial an ROV competition | $5,000 |
| PeacockPrimary School | Library Media Center | $20,000 |
| HumberElementary School | Humber Hold – this project will develop a travel guide app in order to create a unique visitor experience in Corner Brook | $19,803 |
| J.J. Curling | Space Camp - this project will see Grade 6 students attend and participate in space programming field trip in the Cosmodome in Montreal, Quebec during the 2012-13 school year | $20,000 |
| St. Anthony and Area Boys & Girls Club | Youth, Culture & Environment in St. Anthony – this project will develop and offer an environmental and cultural heritage program for youth in the area | $20,000 |
2013 05 09 11:35 a.m.