The Green Bay Packers and UScellular this week announced the winner of a $20,000 technology makeover through the inaugural Leap for Learning program. The Oconto Unified School District was awarded the prize during a celebration on Tuesday.
Earlier this fall, educators, administrators, and parents across Wisconsin were invited to nominate a Wisconsin-based K-12 school or school district through the Leap for Learning program. Nominations required a summary describing why the school deserved a technology makeover and how it would make a difference to the students. The Oconto Unified School District was nominated by Scott Boucher, IT Director/Network Engineer at Oconto Unified School District. Scott has worked for the district for 15 years. His role is to collaborate with the teaching staff on their classroom ideas and provide the technology hardware and/or software to implement those ideas.
"As educators, we want to prepare our students for a robust career path and future, and we know technology education and access is a key part of that," said Boucher. "Thanks to UScellular, the Green Bay Packers and the Leap for Learning program, this technology upgrade will give us the opportunity to provide our students with state-of-the-art equipment that will facilitate team building and collaboration among students while teaching the skills of problem solving, critical thinking and innovation."
The Oconto Unified School District plans to use the money to outfit a STEAM Lab in the Oconto Unified School District along with classrooms where students will receive hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering, art and math. The collaborative space will allow teachers to give students real-world, interactive experiences in these sought-after fields.
"Technology is a vital part of the educational experience for students, providing them with easy-to-access information, accelerated learning and fun opportunities to practice what they learn," says Christine Paulsen director of sales for UScellular. "UScellular cares deeply about our local communities and it's through programs like Leap for Learning that support our youth and future leaders in STEM."
The Leap for Learning program drew more than 239 nominations from across the state. A panel of judges evaluated and scored nomination essays based on the proposed project's ability to improve STEM related education using technology and the innovativeness of teaching programs using technology. The funding for the program was provided in part by a grant from the NFL Foundation.
"We are proud to join UScellular for the Leap for Learning program to help the Oconto Unified School District receive this much-needed technology makeover," said Chad Watson, director of sales and business development for the Packers. "It's important to the Packers to support youth and education throughout Wisconsin and ensure students have access to the resources they need to learn and grow."
UScellular has a longstanding commitment to supporting its local communities through donations and volunteerism. Since 2009, the company has donated more than $22.6 million along with countless experiences and technology items to nonprofit organizations across the country. Additionally, through its After School Access Project, UScellular has pledged up to $13 million in hotspots and service to help up to 50,000 youth connect to reliable internet in its markets.
For more information about UScellular's corporate social responsibility initiatives, please go to uscellular.com/get-to-know-us/community-outreach.
UScellular is the fourth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States, providing national network coverage and industry-leading innovations designed to help customers stay connected to the things that matter most. The Chicago-based carrier provides a strong, reliable network supported by the latest technology and offers a wide range of communication services that enhance consumers' lives, increase the competitiveness of local businesses and improve the efficiency of government operations. Through its After School Access Project, the company has pledged to provide hotspots and service to help up to 50,000 youth connect to reliable internet. Additionally, UScellular has price protected all of its plans, promising not to increase prices through at least the end of 2023. To learn more about UScellular, visit one of its retail stores or www.uscellular.com. To get the latest news, visit newsroom.uscellular.com.
