The Lancaster County Career and Technology Foundation (LCCTF) recently awarded more than $176,746 in Dr. Michael K. Curley Teacher Innovation Grants to faculty members at the Lancaster County Career & Technology Center (LCCTC). For the past several years, the foundation has awarded the grants for curriculum enhancements, equipment and technology to support the work of LCCTC'S faculty.

At the Brownstown campus, two grants were awarded to Arielle Dunkle in the Intro to Health Careers program. A grant for $1,974 provided stethoscopes for students with hearing impairments, and $22,191 allowed for the purchase of a Nursing Anne Simulator, which can mimic various health care settings to provide immersive and hands-on learning experiences for nursing students.

At the Health Sciences campus, Kami Dugan in the Practical Nursing program received $30,000 for a medication administration simulation machine.

The remaining grants went to programs at the Willow Street campus.

Rachel Sprecher received more than $9,234 to purchase a Sterisil Straw water filtration system for use in the Dental Assistant and adult Dental Hygiene programs.

Amy Keith, Carolyn Daneker and Stephanie Nallo with the Aevidum Team secured $300 to help LCCTC students make shelves for use in a food bank that is available to students who are food-insecure.

In the Introduction to Visual Communications program, Mark Seibert secured $18,000 for a large format printer, which will allow students to learn a new and innovative printing process and explore new materials, media, and procedures within the visual communications industry.

Melody Miller in the Introduction to Health Careers program received $22,191 for a Nursing Anne Simulator.

Students in the Veterinary Assistant program will benefit from a laboratory equipment update made possible via a grant for more than $4,396 to Lindsay Feerrar. Adding a Vetscan VS, an HD microscope and a Vetscan Vue will bring the program up to industry standards.

The Collision Repair program will add a SimSpray virtual reality (VR) paint trainer using $45,460 granted to Richard White. This device uses state-of-the-art VR technology and trackers to provide a realistic experience of painting in the collision industry.

Brett Reider in the Automotive Technology program received $23,000 for new training equipment that will allow the class to work through simulated diagnostic and repair scenarios involving automotive electronics.

These awards were named in honor of Michael K. Curley, who served as executive director of the LCCTC from 2002 to 2008. Curley was instrumental in the start of the LCCTF and is a continued supporter of the mission of the LCCTF and the LCCTC.

The LCCTF was established in 2003 to support the students and programs of the LCCTC. The foundation's mission is to ensure that the LCCTC has the materials, equipment and funding to provide the best in career training for high school and adult students. Fundraising streams include the Fly on the Run event, the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program and the ExtraGive. To learn more, visit http://www.lcctf.org.