Kentucky School Wins $48,000 in Tech and Cash

Kentucky's Frederick Law Olmsted Academy North will receive $48,000 in grants as the winner of this year's Team up for Technology award.

Nominated by Teacher Lauren Heckman, the school will receive $20,800 in Samsung technology and $27,200 in cash to buy additional technology, such as desktop computers, laptops and LED monitors.

"It is a common occurrence that students don't have access to computers outside the classroom," said Heckman, in a prepared statement. "Often times, however, the technology we have inside the school doesn't work. Either the teachers have tech issues that derail the engaging lesson we have prepared, or the students can't get on the computer because they are out of service. These kids are some of the best you'll find in Kentucky, and I would love nothing more than to treat them with such an amazing gift as this tech make-over."

More than 1,200 schools were nominated and 10 schools were chosen from among those to receive a prize kit with a Samsung digital camera and laptop. The finalists then used the kit to create two-minute-long videos demonstrating their technology needs. The other nine finalists included:

"We are proud to be partnering with the Jimmie Johnson Foundation and Lowe's to support K-12 education," said David Steel, executive vice president of Samsung Electronics North America, in a prepared statement. "Through our efforts, we aim to spark kids' interest in science, technology, engineering and math — subjects that help develop critical skills they need for future success."

Visit jimmiesohnsonfoundation.org to see Frederick Law Olmsted Academy North's winning video.

About the Author

Joshua Bolkan is contributing editor for Campus Technology, THE Journal and STEAM Universe. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • a cloud, an AI chip, and a padlock interconnected by circuit-like lines

    CrowdStrike Report: Attackers Increasingly Targeting Cloud, AI Systems

    According to the 2025 Threat Hunting Report from CrowdStrike, adversaries are not just using AI to supercharge attacks — they are actively targeting the AI systems organizations deploy in production. Combined with a surge in cloud exploitation, this shift marks a significant change in the threat landscape for enterprises.

  • mathematical formulas

    McGraw Hill Launches AI-Powered ALEKS for Calculus

    McGraw Hill has added ALEKS for Calculus to its lineup of ALEKS digital learning products, bringing AI-powered personalized learning support to the calculus classroom.

  • teenager’s study desk with a laptop displaying an AI symbol, surrounded by books, headphones, a notebook, and a cup of colorful pencils

    Student AI Use on the Rise, Survey Finds

    Ninety-three percent of students across the United States have used AI at least once or twice for school-related purposes, according to the latest AI in Education report from Microsoft.

  • open laptop with various educational materials like charts, quizzes, and documents emerging from the screen

    Pear Deck Learning Debuts New AI Features

    GoGuardian recently introduced new artificial intelligence features within its Pear Deck Learning curriculum and instruction platform, designed to aid educators throughout their teaching journey — from lesson planning to assessment.