Tag: technology
School news roundup – October 2026
Quantum computing – The Fairfax County School Board approved a motion on Sept. 24 to spend up to $751,000 on the world’s first K-12 quantum computer. The project, a partnership of FCPS, Connected DMV, and the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, will install an operational quantum computer, the size of a small refrigerator, at Skyview … Continued
Supervisors pause new Flock cameras
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has directed the Police Department to pause the installation of any new automated license plate readers from Flock Safety. The Board Matter approved by the BoS on Sept. 15 calls for the board’s Safety and Security Committee to discuss the use of Flock ALPRs at its Oct. 20 meeting. … Continued
School Board limits the use of technology in the classroom
The Fairfax County School Board on July 16 passed a series of motions to limit the use of educational technology in the classroom. The motions were supported by Fairfax County Parents for Intentional Technology, a group of parents and teachers concerned about the overuse of laptops, tablets, and artificial intelligence in schools. The school board … Continued
Rep. Beyer calls for more regulation of AI
Rep. Don Beyer warns that AI could have significant negative consequences if not regulated and lauded the promise of fusion energy at a recent forum hosted by the Democratic Business Council of Northern Virginia. Meanwhile, he said, his primary responsibility in Congress is promoting economic growth. “The faster the economy can grow, the better off … Continued
TJ students invent a cheaper braille reader for the blind
Two juniors at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology have invented a device that makes it easier and more affordable for blind people to read braille. Anush Devkar and Ansh Malhotra gave a presentation on their device, Braillesense, at MIT in October. They were invited to demonstrate Braillesense at a research conference at … Continued
Community centers have tech devices to lend
Community members can now borrow technology devices from community centers operated by the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services. The new Technology Lending Program includes Canon EOS digital cameras, Oculus Meta Quest II virtual reality headsets, Cricut Maker cutting machines, and Flashforge Adventurer Pro 3D printers. Chromebooks will be added soon. The program … Continued
Broadband network for first responders expanded
The First Responder Network Authority and AT&T are investing more than $6.3 billion over the next 10 years to expand FirstNet, the nation’s public safety broadband network. The upgrade will enhance 5G coverage for first responders. Another $2 billion is under consideration. Starting in March, AT&T announced, “FirstNet will be the first and only wireless network … Continued
Annandale Boys & Girls Club gets $20,000 worth of new technology from Cox
The Annandale Boys & Girls Club has a bunch of new technology, thanks to a $20,000 grant from Cox Communications. The Cox Innovation Lab will be used by children and teens in the afterschool programs operated by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (BGCGW) in the new Annandale Community Center at 7851-B Heritage … Continued
Annandale kids club is getting a $20,000 grant from Cox for an Innovation Lab
The Annandale Boys and Girls Club on Heritage Drive is getting a Cox Innovation Lab, with high-speed internet, where kids in the afterschool program can learn about robotics, explore 3D printing, and develop new computer skills. The lab is funded with a $20,000 grant from Cox Communications. Related story: Boy Scouts teach outdoor skills to … Continued
Police Department launches community survey tool to measure public perceptions
The Fairfax County Police Department has launched a new program to gauge community perceptions about policing. FCPD contracted with Zencity’s Blockwise program to place ads on social media and local news websites with a link to a brief survey about people’s perceptions of the police department, whether they feel their community is safe, and whether … Continued
Students are working on robotic gardening
Students at Annandale and Falls Church high schools are learning how to use FarmBots to automate gardening. FarmBots are robots that can be programmed to plant seeds, water plants, pull weeds, and harvest the produce. It slides back and forth on a specially constructed raised garden bed. Hands On Harvests The FarmBot program is a … Continued
Police Department to install new, more effective license plate readers
The Fairfax County Police Department is upgrading its technology for reading license plates, which it says will be helpful in catching criminals and stolen vehicles. The FCPD began using license plate readers in 2008. It’s now replacing its antiquated equipment with the Flock Safety license plate reader (LPR) system, which has been successful during a … Continued
AI company to expand in Seven Corners
Enabled Intelligence Inc., an artificial intelligence startup, is investing $1.4 million to expand its headquarters in Seven Corners, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority announced Sept. 21. The company will add more than 10,000 square feet to its offices at 6400 Arlington Blvd. The two office towers at that site … Continued
Amazon Fresh to open in Bailey’s Crossroads
The former Safeway spot at the Crossroads Center in Bailey’s Crossroads is going to be an Amazon Fresh grocery store, according to a reliable source, rather than an Amazon Go store, as had been speculated in a previous blog post. Construction is expected to start in March, and the store could open in late 2022. … Continued
Autonomous shuttle offers free rides from Mosaic to Metro
Rep. Gerry Connolly (left) and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeffrey McKay in front of Relay. Relay, the autonomous electric shuttle connecting the Mosaic District in Merrifield to Metro is up and running. Federal, state, and county officials, along with private sector representatives cut the ribbon Oct. 22 inaugurating the first driverless public transportation vehicle … Continued