lopez, Harris receive $5K WhyCareers grant

Lopez and Harris middle school's Career and Technology programs have each received a $5,000 grant from WhyCareers. WhyCareers is a program that integrates gaming and simulation with standards based curriculum in 8th grade classrooms. Only three school districts in the state of Texas were awarded this grant.

Eighth grade CTE classes use "Whyville" media, which is an energy game. The game centers around a community with its own economy, government, and will now have its own power grid. This power grid component uses both traditional and renewable energy sources, managed by students determining the right mix of coal, natural gas, nuclear, solar and wind energy. Students will build homes for a green-energy subdivision, too. While doing so, students are exploring math, science and career topics related to that green energy.

"It's an honor to pilot the WhyCareers Grant in the state of Texas," states Jeff Felty, Lopez Middle School Career and Technology teacher. "The $5,000 will not only assist us with the media of Whyville, it will allow us to take all 8th grade CTE students to tour the Toyota truck plant here in San Antonio," he continues. "Students will be able to see many different types of careers and an environmentally friendly manufacturing plant."

Posted on November 17, 2011