Granville Education Foundation Technology Committee Receives the Partnership Award in Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education from the SMT Center

Research Triangle Park, NC, May 04, 2008 --(PR.com)-- The first annual SMT Awards were presented at the SMT Celebration on Saturday, April 19 in Cary, N.C. Sam Houston, President and CEO of the North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center (SMT Center), was on hand to announce the awards.

The Partnership Award in Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education was given to the Granville Education Foundation Technology Committee. The Granville Education Foundation is an independent organization that works in partnership with the community and schools to improve student performance in the Granville County schools.

The mission of the Granville Education Foundation Technology Committee is to enhance and support student, teacher and Granville County school system technology initiatives by providing resources and programs in partnership with the community and the Granville County schools.

Among the efforts of the Technology Committee is the Technology Exposition that involve students setting up displays to demonstrate the use of technology in the classroom. Committee members have spent thousands of hours of volunteer time to network map the schools in the district. The group also developed Success through Technology Grants to allow schools to acquire equipment they could not afford within the district’s current budget.

“The Committee has been instrumental in garnering support for the schools in the business community as well,” said Houston, “It is organizations such as the Granville Education Foundation Technology Committee that help North Carolina achieve its goal to be the premiere state in the nation for STEM education.”

The Partnership Award in Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education was also shared with Shodor, an nonprofit organization in Durham, N.C. that serves students, educators and parents to improve math and science education.

Other awards given at the ceremony included: The Business and Industry Award in Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education was given to GlaxoSmithKline ; The Champion of Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Award was given to J. Donald Cline; The Student Leadership Award of Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education was given to Adam Meyer, a senior at Raleigh Charter High School; and the Outstanding Educator Award in Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education was given to Myra Halpin, Ph.D. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian award given by the Governor, was presented to Dr. Enriqueta Bond, President and CEO of the Burroughs Wellcome Fund for her years of dedication and service to her community.

About the SMT Center

Founded in 2002, the SMT Center promotes and supports innovation in science, mathematics, and technology learning. Focusing on North Carolina’s elementary and secondary schools, the SMT Center works to provide all children in North Carolina with the necessary knowledge and skills to have successful careers, be good citizens and advance the economy of the state. For more information about the SMT Center, please see the website: www.ncsmt.org.

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