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One Laptop per Child South Carolina expands with a generous donation from BlueCross BlueShield of SC

The “education laptop” opens doors to new ways of learning

No state has yet attempted to provide all of its children full access to state-of-the-art computer technology and online learning, even though both will affect nearly every aspect of their lives for the rest of their lives.

However, the Palmetto Project has joined with our state’s Superintendent of Education and private sector leaders to make that happen in South Carolina right now.

Thanks to this partnership, known as One Laptop per Child South Carolina (OLPC SC), an effort to provide every South Carolina student a laptop computer is falling into place. Initial pilot programs are pointing to very positive outcomes.

“We’re bolstering the education of South Carolina’s children by giving them access to new technologies years before they could otherwise imagine,” said Palmetto Project Executive Director Steve Skardon. “OLPC SC offers a new way of teaching and learning, while developing skills young people need to go onto college, to apply for jobs, and eventually support their own families.”

The cornerstone of this effort is a powerful Linux-based XO laptop computer that is currently available at approximately $260 a piece. To date, the Palmetto Project has placed 2,300 of these education laptops in 14 South Carolina elementary schools.

The OLPC SC partnership was launched in April 2008 with a pilot project through which every K-5 student in Marion County’s District 7 got an XO education laptop.

The Marion project was made possible with funding from Palmetto Project Board member Erwin Maddrey of Greenville, and former Board member Linda Ketner from Charleston. See how the pilot program is progressing.

By April 2009, we added another twelve schools across the state to the program thanks to a $500,000 grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC.

By 2010, the Palmetto Project expects to add another component to the OLPC/SC program by creating an online learning center that will allow every child with internet capability access to the most sophisticated educational enrichment programs in the country. Learning programs available through the Center will be designed to enhance curriculum being taught in the child’s classroom.

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Congratulations to the following schools on their selection as our first OLPC SC sites.

Rains Centenary Early Childhood Center, Mullins
Britton’s Neck Elementary, Mullins
Chester Park Technology Center, Chester
Mountain View Elementary, Taylors
India Hook Elementary, Rock Hill
Buffalo Elementary, Buffalo
Foster Park Elementary, Union
Monarch Elementary, Union
Sandy Run Elementary, Swansea
Vance-Providence Elementary, Vance
North Vista Elementary, Florence
Rice Creek Elementary, Columbia
Port Royal Elementary, Port Royal
North Charleston Elementary, North Charleston