Hewlett-Packard donates equipment for science programs at the Clerc Center

Happenings Archives

The Hewlett-Packard Company has donated over $43,000 worth of computer equipment to three science projects at the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center, Vice President Jane Fernandes has announced. The equipment supports three Clerc Center projects: S*OAR-High, Project SPACE, and a biotechnology project.

S*OAR-High (Science* Observing And Reporting in High School) is a distance education collaboration between science classrooms for deaf and hard of hearing students. Students and teachers at the Model Secondary School for the Deaf (MSSD), Indiana School for the Deaf, and University High School in Irvine, Calif., began last September to collaborate online to study earth systems science. They are using coursework developed for the World Wide Web by MSSD teacher/researcher Mary Ellsworth. The equipment enables them to interact with each other via online discussion groups, collaboration software, and video conferencing.

Project SPACE offers Kendall Demonstration Elementary School (KDES) teachers an opportunity to design a technology-based science course which integrates multimedia equipment, on-line research and data collection, and communications and visual technologies. This KDES Project will prepare selected students from grades 6-8 for astronaut training this spring at the U.S. Space Camp® in Alabama. The US Space Camp, a five-day jam-packed program, was developed at the United States Space and Rocket Center and, in cooperation with the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, was adapted to provide the world's most unique space and aviation experiences for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Project SPACE is headed by KDES teacher Monika Barglow.

The biotechnology project is headed by Del Wynne, Junior Team science teacher/researcher. She is implementing a biotechnology component into her chemistry class. This will be the first step in developing a student-directed science curriculum, providing teacher and students access to extensive and empirical science research and integrating modern technology with secondary science curriculum. The HP equipment provides the technology necessary to begin infusing hands-on biotechnology-oriented computer software and Internet-based research activities.

"These projects demonstrate the Clerc Center is developing innovative science education curricula for deaf and hard of hearing students," Fernandes said. "We are fortunate the two schools continue to receive substantial support from the corporate community, and are deeply grateful to Hewlett-Packard for this valuable gift. I would also like to thank Lori Lutz of the Development Office, who worked so hard on the
project."