Urban Community School's science lab made a move into the 21st century last week thanks to a $22,000 grant from Cargill Incorporated that provided 12 MacBook computers and a Promethean ActivBoard. The equipment provides interactive learning skills to help prepare the school’s fifth through eighth graders for when they move on to area high schools.

“It’s technology that many kids are exposed to,” says Sr. Maureen Doyle, director of Urban Community School. “Our kids are thoroughly engaged in science activities using this ActivBoard. These are tools the kids know how to use, and will need to know how to use in high school.”

Cargill made the donation after touring the school last year, which focuses on a Montessori model of individualized teaching for low-income students. “Cargill is a great neighbor to many people, and a great organization that does outreach,” says Doyle. “They are concerned about the environment and they are also concerned about education.”

Ninety-two percent of Urban Community School graduates go on to graduate from high school, and 60 percent continue on to college.

So far the students have embraced the new technology. “They all love it,” Doyle says. “The kids are very favorable to it. It’s a great learning opportunity for them. They are engaged, and that’s key.”

Source: Maureen Doyle
Writer: Karin Connelly