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Hackground Promotes Critical Thinking at the Applications and Research Laboratory

February 22nd, 2018

The Howard County Public School System’s Applications and Research Laboratory (ARL), a centralized career academy high school, is partnering with Hackground to engage students through real-world science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) experiences that cultivate creative problem solving, critical thinking and innovation. The partnership agreement was formalized with an official partnership signing on Wednesday, February 21, at the ARL.

Under the terms of the agreement, Hackground will collaborate with ARL administration and staff to coordinate a variety of hands-on opportunities for students to develop cyber workshops for younger students, create business plans and conduct financial analyses. Hackground will also provide internship opportunities for ARL students and participate on Career Academy advisory committees.

Howard County Board of Education Member Sandra French, HCPSS Area 3 Community Superintendent Pat Saunderson, and Applications and Research Laboratory Principal Karl Schindler joined Hackground founder Prasad Karunakaran to sign the formal partnership agreement at the February 21 event.

From left: HCPSS Area 3 Community Superintendent Pat Saunderson, Hackground founder Prasad Karunakaran and Howard County Board of Education Member Sandra French.

Hackground is a nonprofit organization supporting community based STE(A)M activities, with a mission to provide and organize programs for students from Kindergarten through high school.

The Howard County Public School System’s Partnerships Office has united schools with more than 1,000 businesses and community organizations to enhance the educational experience of Howard County students. Partnerships benefit schools, businesses and the entire community by leveraging the resources of all participants. Partners may commit human or financial resources or other support.

For more information, contact Partnerships Office Manager Mary Schiller at 410-313-6655 or mary_schiller@hcpss.org.