In addition to the planned events that have become regular happenings such as the school, museum and community events the Coalfield Education Endeavor wants to rise to meet the needs of the students in this region with an "All Weather" and flexible program which is explained below.

    The plans for 2003 are for the Traveling Learning Center to increase in its flexibility and improve the program with “Technology”.  This plan calls for the purchase of the following: A laptop computer with CD-R, a LCD projector and a 3-way printer-copier-scanner to make the presentations self-sufficient.  This would allow the program to be used in bad weather with “Power Point” presentations and there would be no dependency upon the host to supply the necessary equipment.

    Most of the school systems in this area are limited in their budgets because of the depressed economy in the coalfields.  There would be no burden placed upon the schools should the weather be bad or to have the equipment on hand or to suffer through a scheduling conflict if the equipment was being used or needs repairing.  This ability to be “all weather and every school equipped” would increase the desire to request the many volunteer programs that the C.E.E. has to offer.

    This technology program would allow the Traveling Learning Center to be self-sufficient for several years and the repeat invitations to return to schools and appear at events would increase with these innovations and the increased flexibility to the many offerings.

    Students, on rainy days could see the tent and camp living, they could work on their genealogy and then take a printout of it home or they could with advanced notice make copies on CD’s or on paper of pictures or documents etc.  The mixture of technology with local culture would greatly aid the C.E.E. in accomplishing its mission.

The estimated cost of this program which will run for many years is over $6200 and the C.E.E. is seeking support in the form of grants as all of the programs are done on a volunteer basis.

Those interested in making a donation or wishing additional information please contact the Chairman of the Board, Ken Smith at [email protected] or the Coalield Education Endeavor at [email protected].