They need to learn that 15 hours in front of a computer per week is far more likely to lead to a lucrative career than 15 hours on the court. Only if we lay these foundations early on, can we pave the way for these students to explore profitable high-tech careers down the road. As important as it is to wire our schools, we also need to reach out to other communities through public facilities. Some of our students, and certainly many adults, are more likely to learn about computers in community centers or after-school clubs. Even though Silicon Valley is close by, students in East Palo Alto have had little opportunity to learn about computers.
Students drop in after school to take computer training courses or to use the Internet.
These kids have now even learned how to operate their own business by designing web pages for local businesses. This program, and others like it, are increasing the chances of employment, or even self-employment, for the youth in the neighborhood. In provides a valuable model for alternative ways to reach out to, and excite, our youth in new technologies. We have many opportunities and challenges ahead of us. But all of us must continue to invest the time and energy to bring our children into the technological age.