Area schools receive free handheld graphing calculators for GEAR UP students
January 12, 2012
Office of Communications and Marketing

WILBURTON, OK (Jan. 12, 2012) – Several area schools received free handheld graphing calculators this week from Eastern Oklahoma State College’s GEAR UP for Success grant program. GEAR UP staff delivered almost $340,800 in equipment to 24 partner schools.

The schools received Texas Instruments Nspire CX handheld graphing calculators and Navigator systems to help sixth and seventh grade students learn key math concepts.

“I’m looking forward to utilizing this technology to see if it will increase my students’ interest and performance in math,” said Haileyville math teacher Cecil Hallmark.

Representatives from Texas Instruments installed the new equipment and software in each classroom. Teachers also received in-depth training at GEAR UP sponsored workshops this week. Individualized coaching and training will also take place in each classroom.

The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) is a federal initiative to increase the number of low-income students who enter and successfully transition into postsecondary education. Eastern will receive more than $12.6 million over the next seven years to help students in 30 partner schools.

Schools that received new equipment this week include, Antlers, Atoka, Bokoshe, Buffalo Valley, Canadian, Clayton, Crowder, Haileyville, Indianola, Keota, LeFlore, McAlester, McCurtain, Moyers, Panama, Pittsburg, Quinton, Rattan, Red Oak, Savanna, Stringtown, Talihina, Tannehill and Whitesboro.

“This is a great opportunity for schools to engage students using innovative technology,” said Linda Morgan, GEAR UP project director. “We are excited to provide this resource and can’t wait to see math scores soar.”

Haileyville math teachers Paula Zachary and Cecil Hallmark demonstrate their new Texas Instruments Nspire graphing calculators to sixth grade students (from left) Jerry Beauchamp and Ieesha Suter and seventh grade student Kobey Zachary.

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