Ken McLemore

HOPE – A state computer science grant of approximately $25,000 appears to be in Beryl Henry Elementary School’s future for the 2022 school year.

The Arkansas Department of Education State Director of Computer Science Education, Anthony Owen, has notified BHE of its eligibility for the Innovation in Computer Science School Grant that will buttress “blended learning” within the framework of the Arkansas K-8 Computer Science Standards.

The BHE program also intends to reinforce computer science literacy skills across all student populations to generate greater interest in computer science and coding. The grant will also allow BHE to offer resources to all students not currently available at home for many students after school hours.

“The Innovation in Computer Science Grant can help Beryl Henry fill the void that exists in the lives of many of our students,” the grant proposal states.

While improving academic achievement for all students is a component of the proposal, use of computer technology across learning disciplines broadens the impact of the grant funding, the proposal notes.

“When students are actively engaged in their learning, they do better,” the proposal states.

Students will be given the opportunity to showcase their skills through club and competition activities that are supported by the grant.

“This grant will give students a new perspective on computers and encourage them to participate in promising organizations such as Girls of Promise, Coding Competitions, and Robotics,” the proposal states. “Computer science is more to us than teaching a skill to elementary students; it’s preparing them for the digital-world surrounding them.”