"Teachers and Technology" Grants Offer $25,000 for Classroom Tech Tools

For the past two years, teachers in Wyoming have taken technology to the head of the class for their students. Powell High School students have used GPS to map invasive plants on Heart Mountain. Fifth- and sixth-graders in Casper became treasure hunters and unearthed geological landmarks. And a kindergarten class in Rock Springs learned the basics of reading and writing with PDAs.

To continue these high-tech triumphs, the Qwest Foundation today announced that for the third consecutive year, Wyoming teachers can compete for a share of $25,000 in grants for their technology-related classroom projects. The Qwest Teachers and Technology grant program will award grants to three Wyoming teachers who put today's technology to use for their students.

"Technology plays a leading role in today's world, and because of the innovative ideas of our state's teachers, it will star in Wyoming classrooms as well," said Michael Ceballos, Qwest president for Wyoming. "Putting technology into the hands of our students advances their skills today and prepares them for tomorrow."

The Qwest Teachers and Technology grants will be awarded to teachers through a competitive process administered by the Wyoming Department of Education. The top three technology-related projects will receive the following award amounts:

1st place: $12,000
2nd place: $8,000
3rd place: $5,000

The grant application deadline is Feb. 1, 2009; educators may download applications at http://www.k12.wy.us/. The funds may be used to purchase supplies or to support professional development needs; funds may not be used to pay salaries or stipends.