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MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2025
PERRY, OKLAHOMA
Exchange Bank Donates $120,000 to Support Innovative Educational Opportunities for Perry Students
Perry Public Schools was recently awarded a $120,000 grant from Exchange Bank through the Catalyst Education Fund (CEF).
The Oklahoma Public School Resource Center (OPSRC) operates the CEF, an approved Oklahoma income tax credit granting entity under the Oklahoma income tax credit program. In lieu of giving directly to a school, donors can give to the CEF and receive the same Oklahoma income tax credit as giving to a school.
Funding will provide Perry Schools with the addition of two dedicated maker spaces, an art kiln, and virtual reality (VR) technology. These projects will play a huge role in streamlining the district’s STEM education programs. Combined, this support will impact all students, from Pre-K through 12th grade.
“The unwavering support of our community partners continues to create opportunities that once seemed out of reach for a small, rural school district like ours. This contribution from Exchange Bank will make a strong and lasting impact in providing advanced equipment and experiences for all Perry students,” commented Amanda Wilson, PPS STEM Coordinator.
The largest portion of the grant will fund a maker space at the lower elementary school and at the high school. A maker space is a collaborative work space for making and exploring with hands-on project-based learning that mirrors real world applications. In a maker space, students can design, create and test tangible products and they can learn through experience, rather than memorization.
At the lower elementary, the maker space will include a lego wall, light table, circuit challenges, 3D printers, engineering tools, architecture set, cardboard saw, furniture, and more. At the high school, the maker space will include computers, design/editing software, green screen, 3D printers, laser engraver, screen printing equipment, audio lab equipment, podcast software, furniture and more. These two additions are estimated at $100,000 total.
“These spaces are similar to a STEM lab, which we currently have at the junior high and the upper elementary. The addition of two more will complete the goal of creating a STEM lab/space in all four school site buildings, expanding access to innovative tools for all students,” added Chad Wilson, PPS Superintendent.
The next item supported by this grant is an art kiln, which is a type of oven or furnace that is used for firing, drying, or baking materials such as clay, ceramics, or pottery. This is not typically an item found in most rural school art programs, so it will really elevate the art opportunities for high school students, building new skills, knowledge, and a new way to express their artistic abilities. The kiln, furniture, and supplies are estimated to cost $14,000.
Lastly, the exciting addition of virtual reality (VR) technology will be used for a career exploration subscription program. The VR headsets will allow students to see and shadow more than 90 different careers. VR makes the experience seem as lifelike as possible and provides opportunities for job shadowing that may not be offered in our area. The VR headsets and subscription is estimated at $6,000.
“It is a fact that Oklahoma students are behind students in other states in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). I am thrilled to see what is happening in Perry Public Schools related to STEM. Superintendent, Chad Wilson and STEM Coordinator, Amanda Wilson are doing amazing work thinking of ways to set Perry’s program apart from all other districts in the state. Thanks to their creativity, this donation will create new STEM opportunities for students from lower elementary to high school. Exchange Bank is grateful to be able to help advance these programs further and we look forward to being a part of growing this curriculum in the future,” stated Zack Hall, Exchange Bank CEO/President.
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