MUNCIE, Ind.— The Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics and Humanities, located at Ball State University, received two grants totaling $2 million that will be used to deliver advanced science and math courses to rural, low-income school districts in Indiana.

The Advanced Placement Incentive Grant and the Javits Grant, from the U.S. Department of Education in collaboration with the Indiana Department of Education, will be used to provide computer equipment and training.

The academy, the state's only residential high school offering challenging classes for academically gifted juniors and seniors, has an enrollment of about 300 students. Part of the academy’s mission is to provide distance learning resources for gifted and talented students throughout the state.

The grants ensure that advanced education is available to all students of high ability, said Tracy Cross, executive director.

“The grants help us reach out to the poorest, most-rural school districts without any cost to them,” Cross said. “By simply double-clicking on a computer icon, students around Indiana can bring our teachers into their classrooms to deliver advanced courses in biology, calculus, chemistry and physics.”

        The schools include:

• Cannelton City Schools, Cannelton
• Culver Community Schools, Culver
• North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation, North Judson
• North Knox School Corporation, Bicknell
• North White School Corporation, Monon
• Northeast School Corporation, Hymera
• Shoals Community School Corporation, Shoals
• Southwest Parke Community Schools, Montezuma
• Western Wayne Community Schools, Cambridge City

The academy is awaiting confirmation on five additional schools.

Each school will receive a computer capable of handling video streaming via the Internet and a projector. Most schools have T-1 lines and will be able to receive the academy’s broadcasts through their existing network, Cross said. If they don’t have a network, the academy will install a satellite hookup.

Along with providing the equipment, academy officials will help teachers revise their math and science curriculums to prepare their students for the advanced coursework, Cross said. Tutoring and counseling for students, teachers and parents will also be available.

Using the latest advances in distance learning to offer these classes is one reason why Indiana leads the nation for educational use of digital technologies, according to a survey by the Center for Digital Government. The California-based center is a national research and advisory institute that encourages government agencies to embrace technology.

(Note to Editors: For more information, contact Allison Bell Imel, associate director of outreach programs at (765) 285-7027 or abellimel@bsu.edu.)