MORRISBURG – St. Mary – St. Cecilia Catholic School’s submission to the Classroom of the Future contest, not only took top prize – it also changed the contest.
MindShare Learning Technology’s national competition, now in its 11th year, invites schools to compete for a chance to win an extreme classroom makeover.
Schools enter the contest by creating a video to share the innovation through technology that’s happening in the classroom.
Martellacci and some students try out the virtual reality system.
At St. Mary – St. Cecilia, with leadership from teachers, Blair Fitzsimons and Dana MacDonald, and with the full support of principal Stephanie Swensson and the entire staff of the school who have dedicated themselves to transforming learning using technology, the St. Mary – St. Cecilia submission showcased innovation through technology that is happening throughout the entire school, every day at every grade level.
“I was so impressed with the level of engagement in the video and how everyone played a part in it,” said Robert Martellacci, founder and president of MindShare Learning, who was at the school June 6th to deliver the prize which was about $10,000 worth of equipment and technology including a 3D printer, stand up desk, professional development training, computers and virtual reality goggles. Over the years $11 million worth of prizes have been given away.
“Your school winning this contest has inspired us to next year shift from a classroom of the future to a school of the future because that’s truly what you are,” said Martellacci.
“The contest was started to share the innovation that’s happening around the country to help kids learn better through technology. Through your video you are going to inspire a lot of other kids, teachers and schools to up their game because you are doing the most advanced work that I’ve seen of any school in Canada.”
Martellacci travelled from Toronto to deliver the prizes and said he was really excited to be in a small rural school for this celebration.
Speaking to the students from the entire school he said: “It says something about the ability you have to make a big impact one day. You don’t have to be from a big city. If you follow your dreams, work hard in school and do good things – great things will happen.”
MindShare Learning is a Canadian Ed Tech strategy consulting, news, and professional learning events company with a mission to transform learning in the 21st century by inspiring and sharing innovative best practices and success stories in the Canadian education landscape and beyond.
