- The journey to the 2020 STLP State Championship began with 1,800 STLP school team projects and close to 60,000 students competing in November and December at nine regional competitions throughout Kentucky.
- Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Kentucky schools have relied on education technology to keep learning happening.
(FRANKFORT, KY) – Kentucky’s K-12 Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP) State Championship had a different look this year.
Due to the COVID-19 emergency, the state competition – normally held at Rupp Arena in Lexington and hosting around 15,000 students, teachers and family members – was presented virtually.
“My most enjoyable workday of the year is our Kentucky K-12 STLP State Championship because it helps us showcase the importance of education technology and leadership skills to student learning in the classroom, community service and Kentucky’s future,” said David Couch, chief information officer from the Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE) Office of Education Technology (OET).
The journey to the 2020 STLP State Championship began with 1,800 STLP school team projects and close to 60,000 students competing in November and December at nine regional competitions throughout Kentucky.
Twenty out of the original 1,800 STLP school projects were selected by virtual volunteer judges. From those 20 projects, four schools in four different project categories were named state champions.
Kentucky’s 2020 STLP Champions:
- Dave Sigler Award for the best technical Project: Allen Elementary School (Floyd County) for their Life Saving Vest. This is the third straight state STLP championship for Allen Elementary.
- K-5 Division: Blake Elementary School (Jefferson County) for their Blake’s L.E.M.O.N.S. Project with a Twist. This is the first state STLP championship for Blake Elementary.
- 6-8 Division: Ashland Middle School (Ashland Independent) for their No Child Left Behind project. This is the second STLP state championship in three years for Ashland Middle School.
- 9-12 Division: Fairview High School (Fairview Independent) for their Westwood Hook project. This is Fairview High School’s first STLP state championship.
The entire 2020 STLP awards ceremony was aired May 8 on KDE’s media portal.
“Many important things are going on right now. However, to me, us pressing forward with a virtual STLP State Championship is one of the most inspirational, meaningful, historic and biggest Kentucky K-12 successes thus far during the COVID-19 crisis and my 28 years at KDE,” said Couch.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Kentucky schools have relied on education technology to continue instruction. OET has done the same by embracing remote collaboration technology to present the STLP State Championship for Kentucky’s students.
“Without hesitation, our school-level STLP coaches, district-level digital learning coaches, chief information officers and EdTech leaders, and families all did their part to support participation by our STLP student leaders,” said Couch. “Staying healthy at home, our STLP teams pivoted to the new, all-digital format and created online presentations to share with our volunteer judges.
“Several challenge-type competitions that would have occurred live at state back in April changed gears and moved to embrace online tools to bring contestants together.”
Interim Commissioner Kevin C. Brown said he is proud of how well Kentucky educators and students have adapted to the changes brought about by COVID-19.
“STLP is such a great experience and learning opportunity for our students,” Brown said. “Our teachers and OET did an amazing job making sure COVID didn’t stop the students from showcasing all they have learned and accomplished at the state championship. I want to say congratulations to all of this year’s winners and I look forward to seeing the great things they accomplish in life.”
For more information about STLP and STLP@Home, and to view presentations from all of the student participants, visit the STLP@Home website.
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