US$25 million in SMARTer Kids Grants for SMART Roomware products available for 2000/2001 school year

All accredited, not-for-profit educational institutions
in North America eligible for technology funding

Calgary, AB --- November 7, 2000 --- The SMARTer Kids Foundation announces US$25 million in SMARTer Kids Grants for SMART Roomware products available for the 2000-2001 school year. Open to accredited not-for-profit educational institutions, these Grants are worth 25 to 50 per cent of the list price of SMART Roomware. There is no limit to the number of qualifying products that may be provided to a single educational institution or school district. Over US$60 million in technology funding is now available through the SMARTer Kids Foundation for the current school year.

"The SMART Board is an effective teaching tool which allows for much greater interaction with students. The result is exciting and stimulating learning situations," says Laurie Bowers, principal, R.J. Hawkey Elementary School in Airdrie, Alberta. "Within a few days, the children were able to operate the technology independently."

"When SMART Roomware products are integrated into the curriculum, students learn in a more interactive, dynamic way," says Nancy Knowlton, executive director of the SMARTer Kids Foundation. "This year the SMARTer Kids Foundation is expanding the Grant program to include more products and more funding, making the purchase of technology for the classroom an affordable reality."

How to Apply
Applications are available online at www.smarterkids.org/k12/roomware/appform.asp or from the Foundation office at 403.228.8565. Applications must be received by midnight on August 31, 2001. Grants must be utilized by September 30, 2001.

Qualifying SMART Roomware Products
SMART Roomware products available for SMARTer Kids Grants include the SMART Board, Rear Projection SMART Board, SMART Matisse, SMART Expression and SynchronEyes. The SMART Board, Rear Projection SMART Board and SMART Matisse are interactive whiteboards that allow teachers to control and write notes over projected Macintosh® or Windows® applications simply by pressing on the Board's touch-sensitive surface. SMART Expression, a pre-wired, mobile multimedia cabinet, seamlessly integrates multimedia into an attractive, secure unit. With SynchronEyes, computer-lab instruction software, teachers can monitor and control up to 80 workstations in one computer lab, creating a focused learning environment.

Notable Recipients
The SMARTer Kids Foundation has enabled schools across North America to purchase technology they would otherwise not be able to afford. Recipients of SMARTer Kids Foundation Grants include the Harvard School of Public Health, Masters Academy and College, North Pole High School, Pomona Unified School District, Mongomery Bell Academy, UCLA and Town School for Boys.

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Note: SMART Matisse is now known as SMART Board for Plasma Displays

© 2000 SMARTer Kids Foundation. Please note that SMART is written in all capital letters.