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Today's Interview: Student Technology Leadership Program State Championships-Dr. Sean Jackson

Judging During the STLP State Championship
Stu Johnson
Judging During the STLP State Championship

Once again, Lexington played host to some 13,000 Kentucky students from kindergarten to 12th grade, many competing in technology-based categories. It was the annual Student Technology Leadership Program State Championship. Caylin and Ren McDonald, cousins and sophomores from Frankfort were judged in data for action and newscast entries. Caylin said it’s a growing experience.

Frankfort Sophomores Ren and Caylin McDonald
Stu Johnson
Frankfort Sophomores Ren and Caylin McDonald

“This is my second year doing it and I feel like it’s a really great opportunity to be here…to talk to judges….to get out of your comfort zone…be who you are presenting a project.”

The students from more than 160 school districts demonstrated what they can do with technology in arts, STEM or science, technology, engineering, and math, and exhibited career-ready skills.

At the middle school level, Eddie Von Martin from Beaver Creek in Knott County participated in STLP competition. He says a 3-D printer at his school is helping students evolve in the technology sense.

Left-Beaver Creek Middle School's Eddie Von Martin and two classmate competitors
Stu Johnson
Left-Beaver Creek Middle School's Eddie Von Martin and two classmate competitors

Pulaski County Fifth Grader Keira Wilson participated in an online project to spur on reading among her peers. She said she began a targeted reading effort about two years ago.

Pulaski Elementary Competitors -left- Keira Wilson-right Maddox Morgan
Stu Johnson
Pulaski Elementary Competitors -left- Keira Wilson-right Maddox Morgan

Here’s the entire interview with fifth graders Keira Wilson and Maddox Morgan from Pulaski County Elementary:

4MADDOXKEIRA.mp3

Today’s Interview segment is with Dr. Sean Jackson who is the K-12 Computer Science Lead in the State Department of Education:

042023TI.mp3

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The Associated Press
Stu has been reporting for WEKU for more than 35 years. His primary beat is Lexington/Fayette government.
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