[1]Future Shop [1] has announced the six Canadian high schools that will be receiving state-of-the-art technology labs through donations totalling $300,000 in 2011. Thanks to the generosity of Future Shop’s Future Generation Tech Lab [2] program, selected schools from across the country in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec will receive $50,000 each to use based on their needs to build new technology classrooms that benefit programs and engagement of students.
“We’re proud of the Future Generation Tech Lab program’s continued support of education in Canada,” said Todd Empey, Vice President of Store Operations, Future Shop. “This is our fourth consecutive year supporting high schools across Canada; the transformations and impact they have for the students and programming is remarkable. I’m looking forward to seeing the unveilings of the new classrooms when they’re completed in September.”
Launched in 2007, the Future Generation Tech Lab program is designed to give back to the communities Future Shop serves and reduce both the digital and economic divide within Canadian high schools. More than 90 high schools applied for a Future Generation Tech Lab donation, double the amount of applicants in 2010.
According to a Student Awards poll conducted by Uthink Online [3] (a subsidiary of StudentAwards.com [4]) on behalf of Future Shop from July 27 – August 13, 2010, 87 per cent of Canadian high school students shared they would take more advantage of technology in school if it were up-to-date and functional. This online survey of 1,000 included Canadian students from grades 10 to 12 demonstrates the need for continuing scholastic support by programs like Future Generation Tech Lab.
The following six high schools were selected to receive $50,000 each through the Future Generation Tech Lab program:
British Columbia
- Burnaby North Secondary School (Burnaby) – As one of the largest high schools in British Columbia, Burnaby North S.S. has only one computer per 18 students. Also, in addition to existing students attending Burnaby North S.S., eight districts send students to participate in the school’s Digital Sound Production and the Film and Broadcast Industry Connect programs. With a large amount of students enrolling in the program, the Future Generation Tech Lab donation is imperative to sustain and expand its services.
- Norkam Secondary School (Kamloops) – The majority of Norkam S.S.’ computers are either donated or refurbished, and quickly deteriorating. The lack of modern technology is affecting key programs like the Video and Media Technology course which has just eight computers and dated video cameras. The Future Generation Tech Lab donation will be used to upgrade the classroom to bring it up-to-date with new computers, editing equipment and creation of a mini-sound state with lighting and a green screen.
Ontario
- St. Joseph’s Catholic High School (Windsor) – Visuals Arts is one of the school’s most popular programs, where classes like photography, graphic design and flash animation create waiting lists each year. Sadly, the four computers and technology used to carry out some of these programs are dated and limit the development of skills for the students. The Future Generation Tech Lab donation will be used to purchase new equipment and provide students with an improved and more creative learning environment.
- Highland Secondary School (Dundas) – A recent theft and vandalism at the school, 45 year-old machinery that was installed the year the school was built and computers almost a decade old, will soon be upgraded thanks to the Future Generation Tech Lab program. Highland S.S. plans to use the donation money to build a cross-curricular program that features an integrated learning hub for students interested in communications, machinery and Custom Car Design and Drafting (CAD) services.
- L’école secondaire publique Omer-Deslauriers (Ottawa) – A minority French education school in Ottawa with more than 70 different countries represented in its student body, L’école secondaire publique Omer-Deslauriers is a culturally diverse school with little technology. With only one computer for every six students, Omer-Deslauriers will use their Future Generation Tech Lab to outfit a classroom with equipment to elevate classes in its Information, Technology and Communications program. The new technologies acquired from the donation will fulfill student needs, such as learning audio and video montages, animation and web design.
Quebec
- L’école secondaire Cavelier-De LaSalle (Montreal) – Known as a school with a less fortunate student population, L’école secondaire Cavelier-De LaSalle will use its Future Generation Tech Lab donation to boost morale and productivity. The donation will benefit three programs and 25 classes. Technology will be purchased to teach students how to develop communications skill-sets, such as creating newsletters and presentations, as well as provide research and developmental support for the general student body, including those with learning disabilities.
Photos of the current state of each classroom above will be available online for viewing [5] beginning February 1, 2011. Reveals of the classroom upgrades and renovations will be shared in September.