The technology-for-classrooms initiative between Madison County Schools and Lockheed Martin will benefit classrooms across the district. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – Madison County Schools has partnered with Lockheed Martin on a technology-for-classrooms initiative.

The agreement will bring 100 laptops, docking stations and 50 copier/printers to classrooms in the district.

“Lockheed Martin has been at the forefront of technology and innovation in this community for more than five decades. We feel very fortunate to partner with this great company to help bring technology to our classrooms in Madison County Schools,” Superintendent Matt Massey said.

The multi-phase partnership will evolve during the next two years. Phase I of the partnership will provide laptops and multi-function printers to outfit the new, onsite learning center for Madison County Virtual School. Classrooms across the district will receive dozens of laptops and printers.

“At Lockheed Martin, we are engineering a better tomorrow, and these students are our tomorrow, our future,” Jon Sharpe said. Sharpe is Huntsville Site Director for Lockheed Martin.

“We’re proud to partner with Madison County Schools to provide the necessary tools to engage and motivate students in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields of study,” Sharpe said.

Sharpe said technology “has the power to influence and inspire our next generation of engineers, scientists and astronauts that will one day design elite fighter jets, develop intricate cyber-security software or even explore deep space.”

Madison County Virtual School will realize some of the partnership’s first benefits. Phase I will provide 30 laptops and two printers to the center. With planned completion in 2017, Phase II will provide additional furniture and equipment designed to create collaborative workspace in the center.

“The Madison County Virtual School is being founded on the principle of empowering learners through innovation,” Massey said. “When you look at Lockheed Martin, you immediately think of ‘innovation’ and we also want to be on the cutting edge of innovation and creativity. We cannot thank this great organization enough.”

After the laptops and printers are set up in the virtual school learning center, another 70 laptops and 16 printers will go to other classrooms in need in the county district.

“We are planning on this partnership to be ongoing and mutually beneficial to both organizations,” Massey said. “Lockheed Martin is investing in our schools and our students. We will educate and train those students to help be part of Lockheed Martin’s future in Madison County.”

For more information, call 256-852-2557 or visit mcssk12.org.