(FRANKFORT, Ky.) – Over the next several weeks, more than 7,400 Kentucky students will demonstrate their innovative ideas and technological savvy at regional events as part of the Kentucky Department of Education’s Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP). Marking five consecutive years of growth, the 2018 STLP Regionals are proudly welcoming an additional 500 registered participants to this year’s events.

STLP uses project-based learning to empower deeper learning and achievement through the student-led creation of technology-based solutions to classroom, school and community needs. These effective uses of technology (through digital tools and resources) are tied to the Kentucky Academic Standards for Technology and the soon-to-be-released Kentucky Academic Standards for Computer Science.

STLP students create projects, products or services as part of the program and demonstrate their learning by competing in various event categories, including entrepreneurial, instructional, technical or community service projects; digital content creation such as digital art, photography, design, programming, app development and robotics; and technical services such as student help desk and network engineering. Students with the best projects, products and services are invited to compete at the STLP State Championship in spring 2019.

Students from 110 districts and 496 schools (an 8 percent increase from 2017) have registered to attend the nine regional showcases throughout November and December. Through a new partnership with Eastern Kentucky University, STLP will present the first-ever virtual regional event to accommodate schools that cannot attend one of the eight local events.

During STLP Regionals, teams of K-12 students will present their projects to volunteer judges, who then determine whether the teams will earn an invitation to compete at the state championship. If invited, students will take into consideration the judges’ comments and continue to develop and implement their projects throughout the school year.

The public is invited to attend the showcases, which are open from 10 a.m. to noon local time.

Students will display their projects during that time and will be on hand to answer questions about them.

STLP Regional Showcase Dates and Locations

  • Nov. 8
    Murray – Murray State University, CFSB Center
  • Nov. 13
    Morehead – Morehead State University, Adron Doran University Center
  • Nov. 15
    Louisville – University of Louisville, Swain Student Activities Center
  • Nov. 19
    Highland Heights – Northern Kentucky University, James C. and Rachel M. Votruba Student Union
  • Dec. 4
    Bowling Green – Western Kentucky University, E.A. Diddle Arena
  • Dec. 5
    Richmond – Eastern Kentucky University, virtual event (new for 2018)
  • Dec. 6
    Lexington – University of Kentucky, Gatton Student Center
  • Dec. 11
    Pikeville – East Kentucky Expo Center
  • Dec. 13
    Somerset – The Center for Rural Development

STLP taps into students’ interests and challenges and motivates them to explore new ways of learning and helping their school and community. KDE’s Office of Education Technology sponsors STLP events to spotlight what students are able to do with the access and opportunity to utilize technology for learning. STLP highlights the creative, logical and often entrepreneurial talents of students across the Commonwealth.

For more information about STLP, visit http://stlp.education.ky.gov/ and follow STLP on Twitter: @STLPKentucky and Facebook: facebook.com/STLPKentucky.