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Kepware Awards $10,000 Grant Supporting Virtual Reality Program in Maine SchoolPORTLAND, Maine, June 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Kepware®, a PTC business developing industrial connectivity software, has awarded East Grand School in Danforth, Maine, a grant of $10,000 towards integrating a virtual reality (VR) program into its curriculum. Now in its fourth year, Kepware's annual School Grant Program was developed as part of the business's commitment to the advancement of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and workforce development across Maine.
The Kepware grant will enable East Grand teachers to develop and implement curriculum based on HTC VIVE VR programs. With in-depth professional training on VR learning tools, East Grand teachers will be able to provide students with immersive educational experiences in history, biology, engineering, and more. The school plans to provide a dedicated space to house a VR system, 3D printing, and similar hands-on technology for students. "Technology is key to enhancing student learning," said Tony Paine, CTO of Industrial Automation, PTC. "Access to technology enables students to develop a strong foundation of technical skills and inspires them to explore their talents. The Kepware School Grant Program continues to supply students in our home state with tools to succeed in STEM disciplines and overcome the tchnology gap facing many Maine schools." East Grand School has approximately 150 students enrolled in their pre-kindergarten through 12th grade classes and is located in a rural, geographically isolated town. Jennifer Gillman, a Mathematics teacher at East Grand School, applied for the grant with the goal of exposing her students to more creative opportunities and marketable professional skills, which have traditionally been limited due to the school's size and location. "The Danforth community is devoted to our children, and at East Grand School we are always looking to provide important opportunities for our students," said Gillman. "They have the ambition and the ability, but they don't always know what's out there in the world for them. This grant from Kepware will bring the world to our classrooms with invaluable hands-on learning for all students. The VR program will not only provide immersive and engaging educational experiences, but will teach students to be comfortable and confident when working with advanced technology." Eighty-four schools, classrooms, school clubs, and other educational programs in Maine applied for Kepware's 2017 School Grant Program. Applicants were evaluated based on a one-page essay detailing how the $10,000 grant would improve STEM educational opportunities for students. About Kepware About PTC PTC, the PTC logo, Kepware, and the Kepware logo are registered trademarks of PTC Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Media Contact
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kepware-awards-10000-grant-supporting-virtual-reality-program-in-maine-school-300478186.html SOURCE Kepware Technologies 
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