The Lowndes County School District has over 5500 students who attend school at one of three campuses serving Caledonia, New Hope, and West Lowndes. All schools in the Lowndes County School District are fully accredited by the Mississippi Department of Education, and all high schools have SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) accreditation.

Technology is an integral part of the curriculum of the Lowndes County School District. The schools have over 1050 computers for student and staff use. Satellite technology makes distance learning an option, and other technology is also available including computer labs, speaker phones, voice synthesizers, and modern science labs. Tech Prep courses play a vital role in preparing the district's students for the world of higher education and work.

CREATE for Mississippi's core school is New Hope Middle School. The school, which serves 750 students in grades 6, 7, and 8, houses four state-of-the-art computer labs that are used throughout the day in well structured, planned programs. All classrooms have Internet access, and teachers have completed courses in computer applications through an accredited distance-learning program.

Parental support is valued throughout the district. Lowndes County has active parent-teacher organizations at each school, and the lines of communication between parents and the schools are always open. Community support is strong. Campuses adopted by multiple organizations have established a "Partners in Progress" program. There are also booster clubs for the many extracurricular activities available to the students. The county seat for Lowndes County is Columbus. Like many other communities in Mississippi, Columbus has a rich heritage that merges with a strong commitment to the future on the part of its citizens. First settled in the early 1800's, Columbus was charted in 1821. The first public school in Mississippi was opened in Columbus, and Mississippi University for Women (MUW) was founded there in 1884. Both are still vital parts of the community today. The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, a residential high school for academically gifted students, is located on the campus of MUW. Columbus also is home for the Columbus Air Force Base (CAFB), a training ground for U. S. Air Force Pilots, and it is the birthplace of Pulitzer-Prize winning playwright Tennessee Williams. The community is also located in the Golden Triangle, which is served by the regional airport that offers service to anywhere in the United States.

The Columbus Pilgrimage of antebellum homes gives testimony to Columbus's rich past. Sportsmen can avail themselves of hunting, fishing, and camping activities. MUW sponsors the Gala Fall Weekend each year that is attended by respected authors and members of the media. Students in the area have ready access to East Mississippi Community College and Mississippi State University in addition to MUW. There really is something for everyone in Columbus.

Selection Process

Student names were recommended by teachers. Student academic and discipline records were checked for eligibility. Eligible students were informed of their recommendations by a letter from the Technology Facilitator providing instructions for students to pursue a spot on the Student Tech Team. Interested students submitted letters explaining why they would be an asset to the Student Tech Team and why they believed that technology was important in the classroom. The students then completed a technology survey indicating experience with any pertinent hardware and software. Students were selected from the pool of applicants by the Technology Facilitator and the Principal

Responsibilities

Students are trained in problem-solving techniques to help correct technical difficulties with classroom computers. Students provide routine maintenance to school computers. Students assist their classroom teachers with the integration of technology into the curriculum by providing peer-to-peer assistance and technical support for classroom equipment.