FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 10, 2010

MUW's Center for Creative Learning awarded $550,000 grant

COLUMBUS , Miss. – The Roger F. Wicker Center for Creative Learning at Mississippi University for Women was recently awarded a two-year $550,000 grant for a project titled 21 st Century Learning Systems.

The project's aim is to bring together community-based organizations, schools, parents and other advocates for education to provide teacher and parent training and enrichment programs for middle and high school students promoting the development of the skill set essential for productive employment and success in the 21 st century.

21 st Century skills specialist Ivey Ivy said, “As part of this project, the Center for Creative Learning will develop and pilot a student engagement model for 21 st century learning and provide tools for parents so that they may better support 21 st century learning at home and at school.”

The project's emphasis is placed on creativity/innovation, critical thinking/problem solving, communication/collaboration, information/media/technology and life skills such as leadership, responsibility and productivity.

"The center is thrilled to be the recipient of this grant that will assist educators in ensuring that students develop the skills necessary for success in the 21 st century workplace. We extend special appreciation to our Mississippi Congressmen for their assistance in procuring these funds and look forward to successful partnerships with area schools and educators,” said Kate Brown, project director and director of the center.

The Center for Creative Learning was established in 2004. The purpose of the Center is to provide research, service and learning opportunities for children, K-12 teachers and adults in communities across the state of Mississippi and beyond.

In accordance with Public Law 111-8, the “Omnibus Appropriations Acts, 2009,” DIVISION F – DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2009, Title V – General Provisions, Sec. 506, March 11, 2009, 100 percent of the total cost of the program will be financed with Federal Funds. The total dollar amount of federal funding for the project is $550,000. The percentage and dollar amount of the total cost of the project financed with non federal funding is zero.

For more information about this project, contact Kate Brown at (662) 329-7676 or kbrown@ccl.muw.edu .