Lena Shaw and James Ardiel elementary schools awarded Best Buy technology grants

Best Buy recently presented a cheque of $9,995 to Lena Shaw.Two Surrey schools were recently awarded technology grants by Best Buy to help enhance student learning through technology.

Lena Shaw Elementary and James Ardiel Elementary were recently presented with cheques of $9,995 and $8,668, respectively, which will be used to purchase new classroom technology.

“We are so excited about this!” said Natalie Roberts, principal of Lena Shaw.

Best Buy’s School Tech Grant program serves to help Canadian schools bring new technology into their classrooms and reduce barriers to learning opportunities. The program’s goal is to keep students motivated and inspired to continue their educational journeys and better set them up for success.

Noticing that some of the tech at the school was aging, Lena Shaw kindergarten teacher Stephanie Siqueira applied for the grant to ensure students continue to have access to applied skills, design and technology (ADST) opportunities at the school.

“Our teacher librarian team runs an amazing ADST collaboration program, however over the past few years the tools used in this program have aged and many have died,” she explained. “We have begun sharing the few tools left with other schools in hopes of making class sets between multiple schools, however that means we often do not have access to the technology to run the program throughout the year.”

In her grant application, Siqueira emphasized the importance of providing equitable learning opportunities to students.

“Very few of our students would have access to these tools outside of school and they want to play, explore and learn together with technology as much as any other student… so these new tools will be a huge motivator for our students to reconnect to hands-on STEM learning,” she said.

Siqueira said the funding will go towards the purchase of new robots and interactive tools to help students develop skills like coding, critical thinking and engineering.
 
“With the technology that this funding will provide, we will now be able to better support our ADST collaborations and inspire students to think creatively to solve problems in ways that only using smart technology can.” James Ardiel was recently awarded $8,668 from Best Buy.

At James Ardiel, vice-principal Cindy Heieis said their grant funds would go towards the purchase of technology to be used in the school’s gymnasium. “This is a place where we’ve never had technology and so we’re thrilled to finally have the opportunity to enhance that space,” she said. “With these funds, our gymnasium will become an inclusive and welcoming space for all students to come together to foster connection, engage, share, connect and gain new knowledge through a variety of educational activities and events held in one communal space.

“We are incredibly thankful for Best Buy’s generosity and kindness!”

To learn more about the Best Buy School Tech Grant program, please contact June Owens of Business Development at owens_j@surreyschools.ca.