Class Snapshot: Technology Education

Raspberry Pi 3

The mini-computer with a lot of heart.

Thanks to support from Monsanto Fund, we are able to offer our students the opportunity to use "Raspberry Pi 3s" these little devices are the same as what you would find in a desktop or laptop computer, minus the power supply, display, mice, and a keyboard. But with those devices added to it the Raspberry 3 functions the same as a computer.

Our students get to use these little gadgets to learn how computers actually work inside their case. Students will learn what a circuit board is and how a computer functions. Although there is so much more that these devices can do. Our students can use these devices to learn how to code and program new machines. Since these devices are miniaturized computers, people have turned Raspberrys into all sorts of things. Including an automated tea-dunker, an edible lollipop remote control, and even an Alexa-like voice operated personal assistant (see Slide 6).

What's even more amazing is that our students will have the opportunity to use these devices to learn more about opportunities in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) field thanks to the generosity of our partners.

Class Snapshot: African American Studies

Class Snapshot

Reverend Phoenix Barnes, right, our African American Studies Teacher and the Chairman of our Board teaches students a lesson on Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights struggles in Selma Alabama. © 2017 Vincent Gray Academy. All Rights Reserved.

This week our students read from The Willie Lynch Letter and the Making of a Slave. An important lesson on America's ugly history of slavery. According to Reverend Barnes, our African American Studies Teacher, "These are topics that our students rarely learn about, but that are critically important." A focus on this chapter of history is indeed eye-opening and we look forward to our African American studies teacher empowering our students with this knowledge.

Class Snapshot: Employment Skills

Class Snapshot

Students learn in one of our two computer labs. © 2017 Vincent Gray Academy. All Rights Reserved.

Vincent Gray welcomed it's newest faculty member, Mr. George Arteaga this month. He will teach the core subject of Social Studies for our school. Mr. Arteaga is also helping students learn an important skill for school, work and life: computer usage. In his Employment Skills course students will learn how to operate a computer for all life's challenges such as finding and keeping a job, securing healthcare, and finding additional schooling opportunities.