Calculated Industries (CI) is working with schools around the country to help fill the technology gap created by distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an effort to help instructors and students connect when they do pipes trade-math over Zoom and other distance learning environments, CI is providing them with free emulators of their calculators that can be used on PCs during the semester.

When the shutdown occurred there were a number of schools that could not let instructors and students onto campus to retrieve their calculators. CI came alongside teachers like David Baugus of Central Tech. He and his students had to leave school with no notice and were unable to take their calculators home. CI provided him and his students with CI emulators so they could complete their curriculum without missing out on important math discussions.

An emulator is a visual representation of a calculator that stays on the top layer of a monitor’s display and lets the users perform related math functions on it. For instructors like Paul Denkins of the Jackson Area Career Center, who maintains a set of calculators for students to use in the classroom, these emulators helped extend the reach of the classroom to students. While the school was closed, the classroom was still open and able to continue online.

Many vocational trade programs require their students to use trade specific calculators on a daily basis. Providing these emulators has enabled Anthony Ciliberto of Wilkes Barre Area VoTEch and his students to keep pace in their subject matter using the associated workbook.

CI will continue to offer its emulators this fall to assist schools and their students in pursuing their trade in this COVID-19 era. The emulators are available for students with a semester time limit. The instructors' emulators are good for the entire year. 

“Calculated Industries is proud to be able to offer our emulators to the education community to help aide in the education of the next generation of tradesmen,” said Steve Kennedy, president of CI. "We just want to do our part to ensure we all move forward together and stronger.”