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EPA donates 50 computers to West Liberty State College for science and education project

Release Date: 2/29/2000
Contact Information: Roy Seneca (215) 814-5567

Roy Seneca, 215-814-5567

WHEELING, W. Va. - The Environmental Protection Agency has donated 50 computers to West Liberty State College for a science project run by the college for West Virginia elementary school teachers in five counties of West Virginia’s northern panhandle.

The computers, formerly used by EPA employees in the mid-Atlantic region, will be forwarded to elementary schools in the northern panhandle that need computers so students can participate in the "WV Handle on Science Project," sponsored by the National Science Foundation.

"We are very proud that we can provide computers for such a worthwhile project whose goal is to raise the level of scientific literacy among students. It is inspiring that EPA computers are being used to improve environmental decision-making in the 21st century," said Bradley Campbell, EPA’s regional administrator.

Campbell formally presented the computers to West Liberty State College president Dr. Ronald M. Zaccari during a ceremony today at the college’s Warwood Center in Wheeling.

"By donating these computers, EPA has joined a collaboration of local school systems, informal science centers, colleges, and business and industry in a project that will allow West Virginia teachers to increase students’ awareness of science and the environment," said Dr. Zaccari.

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The college received funding from the National Science Foundation for the five-year project that provides professional development on science education for more than 625 kindergarten through grade six teachers. The funding does not cover equipment purchases, so EPA’s surplus computers will be especially useful. College officials estimate the 50 EPA computers will help about 1,400 students each year at schools in Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Ohio and Wetzel counties.

EPA has donated used computers directly to municipalities, schools and non-profit organizations in accordance with President Clinton’s Executive Order 12999, "Educational Technology: Ensuring Opportunity for All Children in the Next Century." This executive order, signed by the president on April 17, 1996, helps to fulfill the federal government’s commitment to promote educational technology.



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