Boston Students Get Free Wireless in Tablet Pilot Program

  • By Kevin Hudson
  • 03/25/13

Two Boston-area high schools, the John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science and Boston Green Academy, have joined mobile learning program that focuses on mobile learning and leveraging technology in and out of the classroom.

The O'Bryant School participated in the program last year, while Boston Green Academy is participating for the first time.

"The Verizon Wireless Empowerment program has proven to be a relevant and engaging project for the students to undertake," said Michael Sullivan, science and technology program director at John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science, in a prepared statement.

The Verizon Wireless Education Empowerment Program is facilitated via the Samsung Galaxy Tab tablet device using Edmodo, an online social learning network for education, and the company's free Android app. Verizon Wireless will provide free service on the devices during the four-month program and SOTI will provide complementary security for the tablets used in the program.

Highlights of the program include a student application development competition, in which ten teams of three students each will develop app concepts and create marketing plans. When the program concludes at the end of May, a panel of judges from Verizon Wireless will select the top three finalists in the competition and a public online vote will determine first and second place winners.

The winning team will receive $5,000 scholarships, Verizon Wireless internships, and Samsung Galaxy Tab tablets. Second and third-place finishers receive Samsung Galaxy Tab tablets.

"Giving back to the community is a top priority for Verizon Wireless," said Christine Berberich, regional president for Verizon Wireless, in a prepared statement. "The Education Empowerment Program teaches students about technology, exposes them to learning experiences they wouldn't ordinarily have and drives home the importance of continuing their education."

Boston Green Academy is a Horace Mann Charter School in the South Boston Educational Complex that enrolls about 340 students in grades 9–12 through a lottery process.

The John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science will celebrate its 20th anniversary this year and has refined its mission as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) school dedicated to preparing all students for college, advanced learning and high skilled careers.

About the Author

Kevin Hudson is a freelance journalist based in Portland, Oregon. He can be reached at [email protected].

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