High schoolers now-a-days are often surrounded by technology. Despite this, opportunities to learn how that technology really works, can still require a lot of effort.  Mr. McKenna saw his students learning how to code through great resources such as CodeAcademy, but noticed they were yearning to learn and build physical real world items.  That led to Mr. McKenna’s request for six Arduino kits for his technology courses and labs.  As Mr. McKenna put it:

The technology budget is not able to create exciting opportunities such as this for my students. Without the help of generous donors my students will not be able to take computer coding to the next level in my classroom.

RTF was humbled to be able to provide these resources for students to continue their learning and growth.  The students have had many great ideas to include building alarm systems, video games and battery testers!

Mr. Mckenna quickly shared with us the excitement the students have for their upcoming projects:

I would like to thank you for your generous donation. This grant mean a great deal to my students and technology program. The students are very excited to get their hands on the Arduino kits and start creating projects. They have already sorted the kits and taken an inventory of all the components. They were looking up various projects to create and I can see the gears moving.

Now that they have some projects in mind, they are beginning to build and create their ideas. The first one is to use the LCD screen and make it display “VVS Technology”. They have been coming up to my lab during lunch and after school to use the kits.

I would like to personally thank you for helping my students with your generous donation. It means a lot that a stranger can help my students by supplying us with the great kits we have received.

With gratitude,
Mr. McKenna

Mr. McKenna had been transferred from the middle school to high school due to demand for technology courses.  Inspiringly, the high school students are already planning to share their love of technology and knowledge with their younger classmates in middle school  This type of passion for STEM is absolutely contagious.

Both the Verona middle and high school students are well on heir way to careers as game developers, engineers and entrepreneurs.  The students letters show how, in Mr. McKenna’s words, they are becoming “college and career ready for the 21st century.”

Austin Learning and Teaching

 Tucker Creating Contraptions

Peter Expressing His Gratitude

Alex Envisioning His Alarm System

Christopher Learning and Sharing

We’re thrilled to have made an impact on the community of Verona, NY and its students!  Check out our blog, twitter and facebook pages for other editions of #RTFSharesThanks!

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We’re trying to bridge the digital divide between urban and rural communities by helping introduce students to technology jobs and end generational poverty. Interested in making an impact in your community? E-mail us or consider donating to our general fund or contributing to our patreon.