STILLWATER, Okla. (OBV) – The Oklahoma Lottery is paying off in a big way, enriching career and technology education for students across Oklahoma.
CareerTech awarded 26 grants worth a combined $2,119,494 to 22 technology centers and 162 grants totaling $2,209,569 to K-12 school districts for the 2023-24 school year. The career technology and education agency also awarded 408 scholarships worth $437,082 for the 2022-23 school year, according to a CareerTech news release.
“These funds from the Oklahoma Lottery will benefit instructors and students throughout the CareerTech System and help us fulfill our mission to give students the skills they need to enter the workforce and make informed career choices,” said CareerTech State Director Brent Haken. “Through the competitive grant process, there is a direct investment in classroom and training experiences, including new equipment, technology and enhanced instructional resources. We must train students on relevant equipment that will be used in Oklahoma businesses so that Oklahomans are workforce ready.”
Technology centers will use grant funds to purchase a wide variety of equipment that will benefit the following programs: firefighting and EMT; welding; law enforcement; health careers; workforce development; robotics; drones; aviation maintenance; engineering; and hospitality and food services.
K-12 districts will use grant money to obtain the following classroom resources: laptops and other computer equipment; welders; computer-aided drafting equipment; cameras and other photography and video equipment; greenhouse equipment; agricultural education simulators; animal science equipment; 3D printers; commercial kitchen equipment; commercial sewing equipment; flight simulators; and CNC machines.
CareerTech receives around 5 percent of the Oklahoma Education Lottery Trust Fund. Those funds are also used for scholarships that help educators continue their education to fulfill CareerTech teacher certification and credential requirements.
Oklahoma CareerTech begins each year’s grant process after receiving lottery funds. Sixth through 12th grade programs and technology centers submit grant proposals that include plans for innovation and student achievement.
