A grant secured through the Iowa State University Department of Engineering will provide $5,000 in computer software and hardware for use by the Gilbert Community School District.

The "Minds of Tomorrow" grant was awarded at an assembly last week at Gilbert.

Paired with $3,622 from the Gilbert school budget and an additional $1,500 from the Gilbert Education Foundation, the grant will help to purchase some $10,000 in software and equipment for the district.

The intent of the program is to assist both students and teachers in the middle and high schools to "extend the rigor and relevance" of the district's math and science curriculums through the use of graphing calculator technology.

According to Hope Bossard, director of curriculum for the district, the proposal will allow the district to equip students with graphing calculators, to be used with a package of Navigator Network software, a classroom kit, student kits, network hubs and charging bays.

Students will use the equipment "to gather, organize, analyze and interpret data in a variety of real-world applications," according to the grant application.

Training will be provided for a dozen Gilbert teachers, including six middle school teachers - in math, science and writing - and an additional six high school math and science teachers. The training will be provided through the Heartland Area Education Association.

Bob Zientara can be reached at 232-2161, Ext. 487, or rzientara@amestrib.com.