Teenagers At The Ridgewood School To Get High-Tech Lessons
Grover Cleveland High School in Ridgewood announced last Tuesday, Feb. 7, that its students will be participating in a mobile application development curriculum developed by Lenovo and the National Academy Foundation (NAF).
As noted, Grover Cleveland was chosen as one of five National Academy Foundation schools across the U.S. to pilot the program.
“We are honored to partner with Lenovo and NAF to pilot this cutting edge, real world technology course, utilizing Lenovo’s national curriculum model for mobile application design,” said Denise Vittor, Grover Cleveland’s principal. “This pilot program will provide our students with the technological skills and experiences needed in our global society.”
The program, which began this semester, was designed as a Lenovo initiative to encourage greater student interest in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathe- and to strengthen 21st century skills. The school is affiliated with NAF and has been an Academy of Information Technology since 2003.
To aid the students and teachers with implementing the curriculum, Lenovo provided a package of technology products to each school, including Android-based Think Pad tablets and large format, ThinkCentre HD All-in-One desktop computers.
“To succeed in tomorrow’s workmatics) force, students need a solid foundation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics with fluency in technologies that will power the global economy,” said Michael Schmedlen, worldwide director of education for Lenovo. “This exciting program engages students via the technology and apps they use every day. Grover Cleveland High School will have the chance to participate in a rigorous and relevant curriculum that will help create our next generation of developers and entrepreneurs.”
The course will be taught as a semester long curriculum to Grover Cleveland High School seniors as part of the school’s information technology sequence. Approximately 40 students will be taking the class in two different sections during the spring 2012 semester.
Student teams will develop a working wireframe, business plan and implementation schedule for an Android-based mobile application, and will be required to deliver a presentation on their project at the conclusion of the course.
“The partnership between NAF and Lenovo is a real example of how businesses can play a pivotal role in changing high school education to ensure college and career success,” said J.D. Hoye, president of the National Academy Foundation. “We are pleased to be working with such innovative thinkers to inspire and equip tomorrow’s leaders.”
