CBA receives $30,000 Beazley Foundation Grant
The Beazley Foundation recently awarded a $30,000 grant to Chesapeake Bay Academy (CBA) for the creation of collaborative workspaces in support of CBA’s research arm, the Center for Educational Research and Technological Innovation (CERTI). Funds will support research collaborations with universities across Hampton Roads. CBA pursued a groundbreaking initiative by establishing CERTI in early 2021, creating a laboratory school environment driven by a Gr.1-12 school. CERTI is led by its Director, Dr. Shantanu Tilak, and supported by an Advisory Council composed of educational leaders from higher education, both regionally and nationally.
Through this grant young researchers will collaborate with CERTI’s earliest partners at Old Dominion University, The Macon and Joan Brock Health Sciences program (EVMS), and Virginia Wesleyan University in the development and implementation of technology-related research studies. Since inception, the group has grown to include collaborators from The Ohio State University, the University of Alabama Birmingham, and Carnegie-Mellon University. CERTI’s goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of innovative technologies being implemented to support neurodiverse learners with the goal of providing high quality, evidence-based instruction.
“Chesapeake Bay Academy (CBA) is grateful to the Beazley Foundation for its continued support. This investment allows CBA to engage more young professionals, both undergraduate and graduate researchers focused on education and educational psychology, in our efforts to inform the evolution of education being driven by VR and AI-assisted learning. It is a bold new frontier and CBA/CERTI will continue to lead the way.”
– Judy Jankowski, Head of School
Founded in 1948, the Beazley Foundation’s focus has been on young people and the needs of the community in the areas of education, healthcare, housing, and recreation. Over the past 75 years the foundation has generously awarded grants to an impressive array of organizations and programs serving Southeastern Virginia.
CBA is focused on innovation in education and is the only independent school in Southeastern Virginia dedicated to serving students grades 1-12 with a variety of learning differences. CBA specializes in educating children with ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia and other learning differences. With a focus on hands-on, project-based, and technology-forward learning, CBA is committed to empowering students with the skills and confidence necessary for success in higher education, careers and life.