Grant Partnerships
Enhancing Education Through Technology
(Gen Y Grant)

Program Overview

The goal of the Gen Y Grant is to infuse technology into Maryland classrooms while imparting professional development to the participant schools. In Gen Y, students are trained in technology tools useful in the classroom environment. These students then partner with teachers in their school to develop technology-enriched lessons for implementation in those teachers’ classrooms. All lessons developed have goals, objectives, and are aligned to the Maryland State Content Standards. The program has continued to thrive in districts and schools committed to the grant goals.

Currently over 40 schools are participating and have Gen Y Programs running. In those schools, there are almost 500 students registered and are developing projects collaboratively with their partner teachers. When the projects are completed, well over 10,000 students in Maryland will have experienced a lesson rich in technology in the classroom.

Year Two Consortium work included:

A CD of student projects from last year has been produced, featuring over fifty PowerPoint presentations created by Gen Y students. These projects cross all grades and disciplines. The MICCA Conference Committee has been extremely supportive of our efforts to share in the experience of the MICCA Conference. Not only are we distributing the Maryland CD there, but also five Gen Y teachers are doing presentations. Look for these people in their Gen Y t-shirts! Generation Yes also has a booth in the vendor area displaying Maryland student work.

The evaluation from Year 1 (Northwest Regional Educational Lab) indicated positive feedback from Gen Y teachers, Gen Y students, and Partner Teachers. A review of pre and post surveys indicated a rise in student and teacher comfort with technology. Additionally, results showed an increase in student and teacher technology skills.

Year Three Plans

We held a spring meeting (3/1/04) with our participant LEAs to discuss future plans and to share common Gen Y models. The district representatives were interested in expanding the program in their schools. Year Three we predict will be our biggest year ever. Most districts now feel comfortable and want to try some different models of the program.

Lead County: Prince George's County
Grant Director: Judith D. Finch, Ed.D.
Grant Facilitator: Meghen Kobli meghen.kobli@pgcps.org