SE: Learn and Earn Computer Education Program
Learn and Earn is a program designed to support the student’s educational experience by allowing them to build, and keep for their own, a computer for his or her educational use. To date, we have had over 450 students successfully participate in the program. The students, junior and high school-age, spend 20 hours learning the basics of personal computer technology. Under qualified supervision, participants learn the basic inner workings of a personal computer as they build one themselves. At the end of the program, the student has acquired a basic working knowledge of personal computer hardware and has experienced the success of following through with a difficult, yet rewarding experience. In addition to a certificate of completion, the student is also presented with the computer he or she has assembled, to keep for their own educational enrichment.
Background: The idea of refurbishing computers and providing them to schools for educational purposes is not new to The Surplus Exchange. In addition to ours, there are other programs throughout the country that collect used personal computers and, after a process of repair and renewal, donate them to local schools. The Surplus Exchange is working to fill a void that continues to exist — too many youth having too little access to technology. By allowing the student to build and keep his or own computer, Learn & Earn benefits the participant by providing the opportunity to successfully complete a rewarding task and addresses the student’s need to use a computer to continue his or her education beyond the classroom. The presence of a computer in the home would greatly enhance their exposure to computers at school. To have a computer to prepare assignments on, to experiment with and even for amusement, has significant educational value. Recognizing this need, we established Learn & Earn. By building their own computer, each student Learns it and Earns it.
Benefits: The benefits of the Learn and Earn Program are found in four basic areas: educational, social, psychological and environmental awareness.
Participants: Those eligible are students currently, or soon to be enrolled in traditional or alternative school settings. Experience is not necessary – desire is!
Sponsorship: There is a cost to take each student through the Learn & Earn program, which includes the training, materials, the computer and printer. Since this is a program designed for students who otherwise would not be able to have a computer at home, it is our intent that the students do not incur this cost. We have targeted the business community and Foundations as a funding source for this program. We are grateful to have the opportunity to present our funding request to you. Whether one student or a group, we request your financial assistance and sponsorship.
Future Computer Education Programs: Surplus Exchange will soon be offering two new Computer Education Programs:
If you should require any further information, please contact Rick Caplan, Special Projects Coordinator, 816-472-0444. |