Students in Poplarville High School’s Career Development Center will be a step closer to healthcare jobs through a grant from the Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation. The $3,000 grant allows teacher Candis Thompson, R.N., to purchase 11 iPads and applications for students in the health sciences program.
“Emerging technology in the classroom is a must-have if we as educators intend to take this generation of students and prepare them for the technological demainds of the workforce,” Thompson said. “With the ability to purchase iPads for the classroom, the students will be able to access medical applications that simulate the high technology standards found in hospitals today.”
The students will become familiar with the Electronic Medical Records system all facilities are required by law to use. Other apps will allow them to study a variety of healthcare subjects, including how infections spread, healthy diets and virtual diagnoses.
“Over the past few years, all areas of our society have become more technology oriented,” said Sid Whitley, chief executive officer of the Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation. “There is a need for graduating students to be able to use these technologies effectively in the workplace. This grant focuses on preparing students to be productive members of the healthcare workforce. By purchasing iPads, these students will have access to and become proficient in the use of virtual programs that were previously unavailable to them.”
Photo caption:
Foundation CEO Sid Whitley, seated center, presents a grant from the Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation to Candis Thompson for a health science technology project at the Poplarville Career Development Center. With them are Poplarville school superintendent Carl Merritt, seated; and standing, foundation president Clyde Dease and Dr. Marlene Cole, Career Center administrator.