DASHER – Georgia Christian School recently received two grants for science, technology, engineering and mathematics education. 

The grants from the Lester and Anne Scaff Foundation and the Georgia Power Foundation have enabled GCS to acquire 75 more Chromebooks, a 3D printer, laser engraver and other lab equipment to promote STEM learning, school officials said. 

“We’ve always been investing in technology here at Georgia Christian,” Dr. Brad Lawson, GCS president, said. “A major part of our strategic plan is to prepare our students for the future which is why we recently completed our goal of having a fiber-optic connection to and within the school. This allows our students to access and share information at literally the speed of light.” 

With the additional Chromebooks, GCS has met another of its goals: a one-to-one ratio for kindergarten through 12th grade, school officials said. 

Students use them for dual enrollment, accessing online classes to expand curriculum offerings and a host of other benefits through the Google Classroom platform. 

“These Chromebooks make collaboration among students and differentiation of instruction much easier,” said Connie Guthrie, GCS dean. 

Middle School math teacher Drew Copeland said one of the most exciting things about the Chromebooks is the ability to extend and challenge students. Several students are able to move ahead in math with some earning high school credit in algebra I and geometry while still in middle school.

Georgia Christian School has a strong tradition of producing engineers – civil, electrical, aerospace, etc. – that have attended Georgia Tech, University of Tennessee, University of Alabama at Huntsville, etc., school officials said.  

“Not only do we have a tradition of graduating future engineers, but also veterinarians, pharmacists, doctors and nurses that have attended University of Georgia, Auburn University, University of Florida and other top institutions,” Lawson said. “It would be very difficult for these students to reach their full potential without help from these two foundations.” 

The new equipment is a welcome addition to the new science lab in the recently opened Joe Virgil Dasher Middle School, school officials said. 

“Students learn by doing and this equipment allows practice to go along with the theory,” said Willis Colson, high school science teacher. 

Georgia Christian School competed in robotics for the first time this year.

“We are confident about our plan for STEM education and excited to see our students’ success,” Guthrie said.