ABSOLUTELY COLORADO: West Middle School uses $20,000 technology grant to address homelessness

Students at West Middle School in Colorado Springs are getting $20,000 worth of technology, thanks to the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest.

The idea that made them stand out among the thousands who applied is their plan to address an issue close to Southern Colorado.

“We want to essentially develop a interactive communications board for the homeless population. People either on the verge of homelessness or currently are to learn about the resources and job training and those sort of things,” said Phillip Hutcherson, a math teacher at the middle school.

Hutcherson’s latest project is helping students get involved in a contest by using science, technology, engineering, and math to solve real-world problems.

In this case, it’s one Hutcherson says students face themselves.

“We have students within our own school who identify as homeless and it impacts everyone everywhere. The fact that they realize that it could be the person sitting right next to them, that touches home,” said Hutcherson.

And because it’s not an easy topic to tackle, students have been taking to the whiteboard to map out their ideas.

The students were among the nation’s 50 finalists and the only winners in the state. The prize is $20,000 in brand new technology.

Now, using the new tablets, cell phones, cameras, and computers — students will be able to see their project come to life.

“We’re going to be documenting our process, from communicating with local agencies to doing research on what they provide, to opportunities available and editing and programming,” Mr. Hutcherson said.

That video is expected to hopefully bring them to the next step in the competition.

“This is not only bringing our school together, but this could even bring our community together,” Mr. Huctherson said.

Eventually three schools will move on in the competition to receive $100,000 in technology. A final decision will be announced in April.