VHEC receives $1,000 grant from Walmart

A grant from Walmart is going toward improved technology at Vestavia Hills Elementary Central.

The Walmart Community Grants Team and Walmart Neighborhood Market in Vestavia recently awarded Central $1,000.

Last year, VHEC transformed its computer lab into a 21st century learning space called Central P.A.R.K., which stands for Positive Atmosphere Reaches Kids. This year, the school hopes to merge Central P.A.R.K. and the VHEC Media Center into a Makerspace. The Makerspace will provide a setting for Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) can be implemented.

The NGSS model shifts the classroom dynamic from a teacher standing and talking in front of a class to that teacher encouraging students to ask questions, develop explanations and do research to test their ideas.

The $1,000 grant will help purchase tools to make connections to a real world and hands-on learning experience. A goal is to help build more students’ interest in science.