Gift from couple boosts school computer offerings

GALWAY, N.Y. » A $54,000 donation from a Galway High School alumni couple has enabled the school district to implement computer science instruction in grades K-12 sooner than planned.

The Galway couple, who wish to remain anonymous, have fond memories of Galway and say the school helped launch their careers, which are in the computer science field. They also liked the school library, so they wanted their gift of $54,000 used to improve both computer science education and the library.

The Galway Central School District is a small school with approximately 827 students grades K-12.

“Computer science classes are scarce in small towns and rural schools, but STEM careers are lucrative and in demand,” said Brita Donovan, director of curriculum and instruction. “Our focus was on maximizing the gift to benefit all of our students in computer science education and to improve both the elementary and juniorsenior high school libraries. We formed the ‘Project G Committee’ to research how to marry the agricultural interests of our community, build on our strong engineering program, and develop students’ creative and critical thinking skills in STEM areas.”

Galway schools had a solid foundation of Project Lead the Way in place, but there was a gap in its computer science curriculum.

“This generous gift helped us fully implement our K-12 plan by providing Project Lead the Way computer science classes for all students K-12 this school year,” Donovan said. “It is also helping us transform both of our libraries into vibrant, fun, project-based MakerSpaces where children can create, design, and play with technology.”

Galway students are currently learning algorithms, animation, programming, app creation, modeling, simulation, and robotics automation every day from kindergarten through grade 12. The district is paying special attention to engaging girls in STEM. All girls in grades K-8 participate in computer science classes, the district fields an all-girls robotics team, and both Project Lead the Way lead teachers are female.

Next year the district is planning to add Project Lead the Way Computer Science A and cyber security to the high school curriculum and an additional computer science launch for grades 5-6.

“My hope is that our donors will come back and see the positive impact their donation has had on our students, and at the same time, I would like our students to see how far their Galway education can take them in STEM careers,” Donovan said.