FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) — Rocky Grove High School was recently awarded a $35,000.00 PAsmart grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

(PHOTO: the Markerspace at Rocky Grove High School)

Rocky Grove High School Principal Ed Baumcratz told exploreVenango.com that the grant is for the area of STEM education (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and Computer Science.

Baumcratz wrote and submitted the grant application.

“Our administration is currently meeting with our faculty to discuss how we can bolster our computer science and STEM curriculum to best support our students,” Baumcratz explained.

An estimated seven in ten new jobs in Pennsylvania will require computer science skills over the next decade. The programs funded through PAsmart are intended to help students graduate from school prepared for success in our global economy.

According to Baumcratz, potential technology purchases could be Apple iMacs, along with iPad, and Samsung tablet carts. Equipment purchased will be added to the school’s Makerspace that was established last year.

The high school plans to offer a new class called Application (App) Design. Students will use code to create mobile apps for iOS and Android devices. They will also be adding a 7th-grade Technology class to their quarter rotation. In this class, students will learn Google Docs/Drive and coding basics.

Teachers at Rocky Grove will be receiving training this spring, and the rollout for the technology and classes will be for the start of the 2019 – 2020 school year.