CEF Grant Update at Dawson Middle School

Carroll Education Foundation of Southlake announces an exciting update to a grant awarded in the 2008-2009 school year to Ms. Julie Presley at Dawson Middle School. The grant, entitled “Pacman Finds a Career: This Isn’t Your Dad’s Video Game,” was given to allow students to design video games and to engage in real world interaction while learning math, language, science, and technology.

“Students love for video games creates an exciting platform for learning. Critical thinking and problem solving skills will be gained that will lead them toward dynamic careers through a venue that they love,” states Ms. Presley.

The curriculum is self-directed and allows students to have a taste of the fast-paced hectic world of being a "virtual" video game development intern. The inclusion of this curriculum in the technology classroom will enhance every aspect of the students’ education by making learning relevant to them.

Two of Ms. Presley’s eighth graders, Jan Timpe and Reid Long, received a special surprise in their Video Game Design class at the end of the school year. Timpe and Long were announced via video conference as the national winners of the Future Game Designer Challenge 2010. Students created games on several levels over the course of the semester. Once their gaming skills were refined, they were allowed to submit an accelerated game at the national level and in their appropriate division.

The game Timpe and Long designed is called Moon Rover.

The announcement was made during teacher Julie Presley’s class with administrators and both students’ parents in attendance. Following the video conference, the class shared a celebratory cake and refreshments outside.

Congratulations to Jan, Reid and Ms. Julie Presley!

The Southlake CEF raises money for students and teachers of Carroll Independent School District. Since its inception in 1996, CEF has donated more than $745,000 in teacher’s grants and more than $109,000 in graduating senior scholarships. The majority of these funds were raised in their annual fundraiser, the Culinary Celebration. This year’s event will be held on October 3, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency DFW from 6-10 p.m.

For more information, please see their website at www.southlakecef.org.