Celtics, Raytheon Unveil Technology Lab in Roxbury
ROXBURY, Mass. (Nov. 16, 2010) - A brand new, state-of-the-art computer lab was unveiled on Nov. 16 at Roxbury’s Dearborn Middle School. Students and teachers from the school gathered with the Boston Public Schools superintendent, Dr. Carol Johnson, Raytheon Sr. Vice President Mark Russell, Celtics legends Dana Barros and Cedric Maxwell, Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck, and current Celtics All-Star Ray Allen for the celebration.
The technology lab is the product of teamwork between the Boston Celtics and Raytheon, an industrial and technological corporation. The Celtics and Raytheon turned an old classroom into a brand new computer lab, which was fully renovated over the past few weeks. The classroom received a fresh coat of paint, new furniture, and inspirational Celtics and MathMovesU graphics across the walls. The lab features 30 brand new computers with Raytheon’s MathMovesU programs and math software, as well as an interactive SmartBoard.
The special day was signified as Dearborn students swapped out their normal uniform of blue polos for bright red T-shirts emblazoned with the MathMovesU logo. The unveiling then kicked off in the afternoon with science and math projects for Dearborn students, led by a team of Raytheon engineers, followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony in the new lab. Twenty-five of Dearborn’s students listened closely as Dr. Johnson, Russell, Grousbeck and Allen spoke on the importance of technology, school attendance and the value of hard work in achieving your goals.
The students then had a chance to explore the computers for the first time. The room was filled with laughter and smiles as Allen and the students excitedly worked together to play the MathMovesU games. Allen spent time with each student on the computers, enthusiastically solving math problems with them. Allen then wound down the afternoon by signing autographs for each student, writing his signature across his photo on the wall, and by reminding students of the value of technology in their education and success. He spoke of the importance of preparation, perseverance and hard work for every endeavor – from basketball, to homework, to getting a job as an engineer.
The new computer lab has the tools for each student to prepare, persevere and work hard. As Allen told the students, the possibilities for each of them are endless.