LCS Spotlight: Innovative Technologies
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 5, 2023
Lexington City Schools (LCS) sets the bar by investing and enhancing innovative technologies district wide. LCS administrators, educators and personnel are committed to producing students destined to be leaders, collaborators, problem solvers, critical and innovative thinkers, and global citizens.
“A global technology revolution is now underway. The world’s leading powers are racing to develop and deploy new technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing that could shape everything about our lives – from where we get energy, to how we do our jobs, to how wars are fought”, said Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State.
In an effort to provide our students with a rigorous and innovative learning experience, LCS is proud to spotlight our Innovative Technologies program this month. Our efforts have afforded students the opportunity to maximize their individual potential in preparation for college and career readiness in our global society.
Lexington Middle School recently unveiled a new Jackets Innovation Lab to bring tomorrow’s technology to students today. In the lab, students will use artificial intelligence across multiple disciplines as they learn coding and programming, humanoid robotics, industry and warehouse automation, and drone deployment. Students will explore virtual and augmented reality, develop communication and broadcasting skills, and use computational thinking to build and program autonomous driving vehicles, plan and engineer smart cities, and develop code for artificial intelligence and robotics. These unique learning experiences will open new doors for students and ensure they enter the workforce with the knowledge and skills necessary for the careers of tomorrow. In addition, a S.T.E.A.M. initiative was launched, incorporating career exploration labs where students will get hands-on experiences in different career areas.
A personalized, digital learning initiative is offered throughout the district that provides each student with their own iPad and every teacher with high quality professional development to support effective digital teaching practices. These devices and training ensure teachers have the resources and skills necessary to increase student engagement and expand innovative opportunities for students. Additionally, as a part of the digital learning initiative, digital design labs have been implemented in all elementary schools to foster collaboration, creativity, communication, and critical thinking. Our three elementary schools all have an innovation focus with each specifically addressing the skills and qualities required in today’s workforce. Charles England Elementary is a leadership school developing student leaders in all areas. Pickett Elementary is a S.T.E.A.M. school with an emphasis on STEM and the Arts, and Southwest Elementary is now a Global Academy fostering cultural awareness and developing students as productive global citizens. Our primary school, South Lexington, engages students in hands-on, interactive lessons and activities leveraging technology to develop creativity and problem-solving abilities.
At Lexington Senior High School (LSHS), a new innovation lab is set to launch during the 2023-2024 school year. These students will have access to competitive gaming, coding, augmented and virtual reality, cybersecurity, software development, and more. The future is here, and our students will be the next generation of technology and industry leaders.
The Superintendent of Lexington City Schools, Dr. Anitra Wells, had a vision to bring innovation to the classroom as well as to other aspects of the school system. As a result, the district created a Guaranteed Energy Savings initiative to create over $5 million in guaranteed energy efficiency savings over the next 19 years, including projects such as replacing the chillers, cooling towers, and boilers at each school. A volt patrol program was also implemented as a behavioral reward for students that teaches them energy saving strategies that can be utilized at home by their families. Additionally, two solar picnic tables were installed in LSHS' courtyard to help students charge their devices.
As a continued leader in innovation, Lexington City Schools received the “2022 Cleantech Innovation Award” by the Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster (RTCC) for its guaranteed energy saving efforts. The mission of the RTCC is to accelerate growth and leadership of the cleantech economy, leveraging the unique concentration of industry, academic, and government leaders in the Research Triangle to create benefits through innovation, deployment, and talent in the region, North Carolina, and beyond.
Digital Resources
LCS also offers an extensive list of digital resources readily available on our district website (under the technology & media services tab) for students, families and staff.
Support and coaching are provided to ensure the learning opportunities for students reflect the skills and knowledge needed to compete in our ever-changing digital environment. The school media coordinators, i3 Leadership Team, and technical support staff are available to assist with technology needs and help leverage technology as a tool to foster lifelong learning in our digital age.
Aiming to provide equitable opportunities, LCS connects and promotes programs to assist families in obtaining the necessary resources for success. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is providing funding to eligible families to assist with the costs of home internet services and the purchase of a home computer/tablet. For more information and to see if you qualify, please visit: https://acpbenefit.org .
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