$10,000 Awarded to Advance VR at ‘Geographically Isolated’ Maine School

East Grand School in Danforth, ME has received a $10,000 grant to integrate virtual reality (VR) into history, biology and other subjects.

The funding was provided by Kepware, a PTC business developing industrial connectivity software, as part of its K–12 STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) grant program. Now in its fourth year, the program is focused on advancing STEM education and workforce development across Maine.  

East Grand, located in “a rural, geographically isolated town,” was selected among 84 applications, ranging from schools, clubs and other education programs, according to a news release from Kepware. A mathematics teacher submitted the application “with the goal of exposing her students to more creative opportunities and marketable professional skills, which have traditionally been limited due to the school’s size and location.”

The pre-K–12 school's teachers will “develop and implement curricula based on HTC Vive VR programs" and receive “in-depth professional training” to use the VR tools. In addition, East Grand plans to designate a learning space for a new VR system, as well as 3D printing and similar hands-on technology for students, the release stated.

Further information about the grant program is available on the Kepware site. 

About the Author

Sri Ravipati is Web producer for THE Journal and Campus Technology. She can be reached at [email protected].

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