DANNY JOHNSTON/The Associated Press
The Aspirnaut program at Vanderbilt University is launching the first school bus in the U.S. equipped with ceiling mounted LCD/PC computers in five zones of the bus that play, stream or broadcast math and science content right here in Arkansas.
It’s a first of it’s kind and for a handful of students in northwest Arkansas, it’s making classes a little easier.
“We have five 19″ LCD computers that have been mounted to the ceiling of the school bus,” says Co-creator Sara Carter.
Some are comparing it to an actual magic school bus. The Aspirnaut Mediascreen School Bus is equipped with five monitors, and a computer system able to connect to the Hector School District’s wi-fi network.
It then pumps out a variety of math and science curriculum to the students.
“What we’re watching on TV is kind of what were doing in science right now,” says Hector student Kaitlinn Bailey. Dr. Julie Hudson, along with several others from Vanderbilt University spearheaded the learning tool. “Rural students have many challenges, not the least of which is long bus rides, and this enables them a way to make use of that time,” says Hudson.
She explains the idea came to mind after seeing a device inside a taxi cab, where she says she was able to browse the Internet and pinpoint her exact location. “Why not make that available to students that are on bus rides maybe an hour each way,” says Hudson.
At a $20,000 price tag, this so called magic school bus even has an ID scanner showing when and where each student gets on and off the bus. And it’s benefits go beyond the students, says bus driver Kenny Bull.
“I’m not having to look back in my mirror now to watch the kids to make sure noone’s getting beat up or something’s going on that’s not supposed to go on,” says Bull.
Educators now hope student’s will continue to utilize the tech-tool and the idea of the magic school bus won’t frizzle.
