The Caldwell County Schools' grant proposal was one of 18 funded in North Carolina through the state’s Digital Learning Initiative for the development and dissemination of local innovative digital learning models. The goal of the competitive grant program is to have effective digital learning practices spread across the state in public schools.

Amy Philyaw, Grant Writer and STEM Director said that through these grant funds, she is excited and eager to expand the STEM bus offerings for the 2023-2024 school year and implement new training.

“The Emerging Technologies Digital Learning grant will provide funding to train teachers on the utilization of Tello Drones and Sphero RVR Cars,” Philyaw said. “The cars will be incorporated into the District Robotics Competition during the Fall of 2023. Training will begin in October and continue throughout the school year.”

Three different types of grant opportunities were available for all public school units in North Carolina, including Emerging Technology, Professional Learning and Impact Grants. 

Twelve Emerging Technology Grants were recommended for up to $50,000. These one-year grants allow districts to use technology and develop more innovative practices within their schools. These districts are:

• Edenton-Chowan Public Schools
• Ashe County Schools
• Grant County Public Schools
• Caldwell County Schools
• Vance County Schools
• Columbus County Schools
• Edgecombe County Public Schools
• Craven County Schools
• Cabarrus County Schools
• Buncombe County Schools
• Johnston County Public Schools
• Henderson County Public Schools

Three Professional Learning Grants were recommended for up to $30,000. These one-year grants allow districts to focus on professional learning that will support innovative practices and needs:

• Cabarrus County Schools
• Davidson County Schools
• Carteret County Public Schools

Six Impact Grants were recommended, allowing districts to facilitate the development of innovative practices and new digital teaching initiatives. Funding for the Impact grant is up to $95,000 per public school unit for a total of three years.

Three grants will be awarded beginning in the 2023-2024 school year:

• Asheboro City Schools
• Iredell-Statesville Schools
• Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.

Impact Grant funding will continue for three school districts through 2025, as it was previously awarded during the 2022-23 school year:

• Caldwell County Schools
• Mount Airy City Schools
• Davie County Schools. 

“Teachers that participate in training and the implementation of this new STEM curriculum will have the opportunity to attend and present at the NCTIES conference in the Spring of 2024. Finally, as part of the grant, we hope to offer "pop-up STEM" camps during the summer of 2024 across the district,” Philyaw said.