Ponca City High School CareerTech teacher Alan Monks has been awarded a $10,000 Oklahoma Lottery Grant through the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education (ODCTE) to support innovative technology in his Fundamentals of Technology program.
Oklahoma Lottery Grants are highly competitive and require teachers to submit detailed proposals demonstrating how the funding will positively impact students and align classroom learning with workforce needs. The ODCTE receives 5.5 percent of the Oklahoma Education Lottery Trust Fund, which is dedicated to ensuring Oklahoma’s workforce remains competitive through CareerTech education.
The centerpiece of Monks’ grant is a state-of-the-art quadruped robot, often referred to as a “Robo Dog.” The robot serves as a hands-on learning tool, allowing students to explore programming, automation, and the connection between hardware and software in a real-world context.
“This isn’t just about playing with robots; it’s about mastering the interface between hardware and software,” said Monks. “When students successfully program the robot to complete complex tasks, they are developing the logic and technical skills required by today’s employers.”
Each year, approximately 50 to 85 teachers statewide receive Oklahoma Lottery Grants, making this award a significant recognition of innovation and instructional excellence.