Technology Lab Seeks District Funds

Set up in an old wood-shop classroom on campus, the new technology lab at Parkman Middle School in Woodland Hills stands nearly complete after its federal funding was cut.

School officials had hoped to offer Tech Academy classes to seventh-graders by the start of school Thursday, but now they say a mid-semester or spring start would be more realistic.

The school had expected to receive a $140,000 grant each year for three years, part of the so-called peace dividend, but the funding was cut after the first year.

Using the initial grant as seed money, the school purchased 18 technology modules, which were equipped with a variety of materials to teach children about high-tech career fields.

To help run the program, a National Guard officer was to be hired as a “partner,” but the funding cut made that impossible, said Principal Michael Bennett.

“We would have liked to have had this done,” he said. “But you can’t ask someone to work for free.”

Although the furniture and much of the equipment is in place in the classroom, Bennett said his staff needs time to locate the remaining equipment and create lesson plans before the class can be offered.

Bennett and computer teacher Ted Yamane hope the Los Angeles Unified School District will provide the funds to keep the lab going. District officials said Thursday they are “cautiously optimistic” about finding money for the program.

When it opens, Tech Academy will offer lessons in satellite communications, virtual architecture, virtual flight and career research. Each module is equipped for hands-on work, including one that allows students to build a bridge or use a flight simulator.

Yamane said the lessons will not be designed to teach students one particular skill well but to give them a taste of what is available.

“It’s a real neat sample of things,” he said. “Basically that’s what middle school is all about. They need to explore and try new things.”