Chapter Grants Aid STEM Activities at Local Schools

The chapter presented several STEM grants in May to local schools. Hazel Green High School received a $1,600 grant to purchase an Antsle One Pro private cloud server so students can log in to virtual machines over the network. Cybersecurity courses at the school teach students the fundamentals of how systems and networks are built and secured as well as common vulnerabilities and methods of digital forensics. Students who complete the courses are eligible for certification in CompTIA IT Fundamentals, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+ and EC-Council's Certified Ethical Hacker. The school plans to offer Linux+ certification in the future. Approximately 120 students take one of the cybersecurity courses each year. The school also received an $1,850 program startup grant for hardware and software procurement that will introduce a broadcast created and produced by students. Students will assume ownership over individual and group video projects; broadcasting students will participate in both individual and group projects. Projects aim to develop 21st-century higher-order thinking and process skills. The projects also allow students to explore careers and personal interests, to work on communication and writing skills, and to strengthen their creativity and problem-solving abilities. The grant will provide students with initial memberships to a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO). The National CTSO, the Technology Student Association (TSA), provides students opportunities in technology, innovation, design and engineering. Members apply STEM concepts through this cocurricular program. Madison County High School received a $1,250 grant to provide supplies, hardware and software to engineering and robotics classrooms. Students are learning programs such as DipTrace and SolidWorks and using a 3D printer to bring to life their own designs, such as fidget spinners and cellphone cases. The robotics team competes throughout the year and has designed and built a robot. Students learn about and practice changing out control systems. Lastly, Sparkman High School received a $3,500 grant for new laptops needed for the CyberPatriot Club, AP programming and robotics classes, and the Innovative System Project for the Increased Recruitment of Emerging STEM Students (InSPIRESS) class. The laptops are needed to run STEM software such as Solid Edge, Unity, MATLAB, NetBeans, Ubuntu and VirtualBox. Access to these programs will allow students to participate in CyberPatriot and other coding contests.

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