SESSER -- Sesser-Valier School District 196 is being awarded a $25,000 grant from the America's Farmers Grow Rural Education Monsanto Fund, a program that helps farmers support their local rural public school districts.
Since 2011, this Monsanto program has given over $16 million to rural school districts to enhance math and science education. America's Farmers Grow Rural Education lets farmers nominate rural public school districts to compete for merit-based grants of between $10,000 and $25,000.
This is the third time Sesser-Valier has won a grant from the Monsanto fund. The first two grants were for $10,000 and were used for science equipment, as well as virtual reality computers.
With this grant, Sesser-Valier will buy 76 Chromebook laptops to be used in science, mathematics, engineering, technology, and more. Three Chromebook compatible storage and charging carts will also be purchased so that these laptops can be used across the K-12 district.
The school district will also buy two digital microscopes that will connect to the Chromebooks, to enhance learning and discovery in a variety of science units from kindergarten through 12th grade.
The grant provides much needed technology to the district, where nearly 50 percent of the students are considered low-income.
These mobile labs and science equipment will give students and teachers flexibility in how, where, and when they can teach and learn. They also provide learning, discovery, and STEM opportunities that the school district could not otherwise provide, helping push education at Sesser-Valier into the 21st century.
