OREANDA-NEWS. May 17, 2016. CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: CTL) recently announced the recipients of the CenturyLink Clarke M. Williams Foundation's Teachers and Technology grant program. The program, now in its ninth year, recognizes innovative teachers through grants to fund up to \\$5,000 each to schools in CenturyLink's local service areas across the country. The program awards grants to pre-Kindergarten to 12th grade teachers who outline plans to innovatively implement technology in their classrooms.

"The projects submitted this year varied greatly from utilizing Chromebooks and iPads in tailored lessons to help develop reading, math and problem-solving skills to equipment requested for specific needs such as children with autism and English as a second language," said CenturyLink's Manager of Community Relations Kristy LaCroix. "We also funded projects requiring more complex equipment such as drones, science probes and robotics to provide an opportunity for hands-on experience with Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). We're excited to see so many teachers working to introduce their students to STEM concepts in unique and innovative ways and are happy to be able to help bring these projects to life."

Across the United States, more than 1,000 grant applications were submitted and 314 were awarded. Applications were reviewed anonymously and grants were awarded based on the impact they will have on students in the classroom and the overall innovation of the project.

A few examples of teacher's projects awarded grants this year are:

  • Clayton Middle School in Clayton, North Carolina, was awarded \\$3,300 to purchase Chromebooks for their medical school simulation project called "Code Blue."
  • Apopka High School, an engineering magnet school in Apopka, Florida, was awarded \\$5,000 to purchase drones so that a learning session on drone helicopters can be offered as part of the robotics classes for engineering students.
  • Parkview Elementary School in Bellingham, Washington, was awarded \\$5,000 to fund the project "Technology Integration for Equitable Education" within a special education classroom. The grant money will be used to purchase eight Apple Air 2 iPads with keyboards and cases, as well as apps.
  • Hallsville Intermediate School in Hallsville, Missouri, was awarded \\$5,000 for a "Totally Fab Keyboard Lab" that will allow the teacher to incorporate group piano lessons and keyboard composing projects into the existing curriculum.

About the CenturyLink Foundation
CenturyLink's vision is to improve lives, strengthen businesses and connect communities by delivering advanced technologies and solutions with honest and personal service. CenturyLink extends this vision through the CenturyLink Clarke M. Williams Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to contributing to endeavors that improve the well-being and overall quality of life for people throughout CenturyLink's communities. Named after CenturyLink's founder Clarke M. Williams, the Foundation is endowed by CenturyLink to support community initiatives that encourage our employees to use their time, talents and resources to strengthen the communities in which they live and work.