Intel, Tacoma Urban League announce grand opening Of Intel Computer Clubhouse in Tacoma's Hilltop
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TACOMA, Wash. -- Intel Corporation, Tacoma Urban League and The Evergreen State College-Tacoma Campus are pleased to announce the opening of the first Intel Computer Clubhouse in Washington. A grand opening celebration is scheduled for 4:00pm on Friday, April 20, 2001 at the Clubhouse, located at 1209 Martin Luther King Jr. Way.
The Intel Computer Clubhouse in Tacoma becomes part of a growing global network of "invention workshops" that will impact the lives of thousands of young people in underserved communities around the world. Other Clubhouses have opened or are currently in development in Arizona, California, Oregon, New Mexico, Washington D.C., and Israel.
The Intel Computer Clubhouse Network aims beyond just providing access to technology and helps young people develop skills that lead to options and opportunities, encourage self-confidence and foster creativity.
Intel Corporation will invest $20 million over five years to establish a network of 100 Intel Computer Clubhouses. Adobe Systems, Macromedia, Hewlett-Packard, and Autodesk have committed a total of more than $10 million in software, hardware and services, and volunteer mentors to the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation provided funding for three Clubhouses in Washington and Oregon.
"We realize that one company cannot bridge the digital divide alone," said Craig R. Barrett, Intel president and chief executive officer. "The high-tech industry's commitment to the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network shows the positive impact we can have when we join together to address community needs."
Tacoma Urban League received a grant valued at nearly $200,000 to support the installation and first-year operations of the Clubhouse. The grant included $60,000 to cover program costs; computers and software valued at more than $100,000; training and technical support; carpet, paint and furnishings; and free Internet access for one year.
"This state of the art Intel Computer Clubhouse provides an exciting opportunity for many youth in the Hilltop neighborhood who never would have access to such technology," said Shirl E. Gilbert II, president and chief executive officer of Tacoma Urban League. "The Urban League is proud to have a role in closing the digital divide and we look forward to continuing to make a difference for youth in our community."
The Evergreen State College-Tacoma Campus is a primary partner with Tacoma Urban League in the local Intel Computer Clubhouse project. "The Clubhouse learning model fits marvelously with our philosophy of allowing students to direct their own education," said Dr. Joye Hardiman, executive director, The Evergreen State College-Tacoma Campus. "Participating in the volunteer mentor program will be a mutual benefit for our students and Clubhouse members."
Going Beyond Access to Building Skills
The Intel Computer Clubhouse is a departure from traditional after-school programs that concentrate on homework and tutorials. Instead, the Clubhouse is both a physical location and proven, successful learning model that aims to go beyond mere access to technology by providing a safe, creative after-school environment where young people from underserved communities are encouraged to "learn by doing." The youth work closely with adult mentors to explore their own ideas, develop meaningful skills, build confidence and a sense of their potential through the use of technology. The Computer Clubhouse learning model is based on: supporting learning through design experiences; helping youth build on their own interests; cultivating an emergent community; and creating an environment of respect and trust.
At this "invention workshop," Clubhouse youth, aged 8 to 18, use professional hardware and software tools to become designers of computer-based products, not just consumers. They create computer-generated art, music and video; develop scientific simulations; design their own animations; build kinetic sculptures and robots; develop their own web pages; and program their own computer games.
A High-Tech Industry, Academic and NonProfit Collaborative
In February 2000, Intel announced its commitment to invest $20 million over five years to establish a network of 100 Computer Clubhouses in underserved communities around the world, based on the Computer Clubhouse learning model created by the Museum of Science, Boston and the MIT Media Laboratory. Intel's goal is to create a replicable model for technology learning.
The Intel Computer Clubhouses will join the flagship Computer Clubhouse at the Museum of Science and 11 previously established Clubhouses in Boston; Gum Springs, Va.; Bogota, Colombia; and Esslingen, Germany. (The existing clubhouses will not carry Intel's name, but will be part of the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network.)
In addition to financial assistance, Intel provides technical, career and volunteer mentor support to the network. For example, a team of Intel professionals installs the technology and networking capability to link Clubhouse youth around the world and provides technical training to clubhouse staff and members. The Museum of Science and MIT Media Lab will maintain and build capacity for the entire Network. Additional support will come from:
The Intel Computer Clubhouse in Tacoma becomes part of a growing global network of "invention workshops" that will impact the lives of thousands of young people in underserved communities around the world. Other Clubhouses have opened or are currently in development in Arizona, California, Oregon, New Mexico, Washington D.C., and Israel.
The Intel Computer Clubhouse Network aims beyond just providing access to technology and helps young people develop skills that lead to options and opportunities, encourage self-confidence and foster creativity.
Intel Corporation will invest $20 million over five years to establish a network of 100 Intel Computer Clubhouses. Adobe Systems, Macromedia, Hewlett-Packard, and Autodesk have committed a total of more than $10 million in software, hardware and services, and volunteer mentors to the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation provided funding for three Clubhouses in Washington and Oregon.
"We realize that one company cannot bridge the digital divide alone," said Craig R. Barrett, Intel president and chief executive officer. "The high-tech industry's commitment to the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network shows the positive impact we can have when we join together to address community needs."
Tacoma Urban League received a grant valued at nearly $200,000 to support the installation and first-year operations of the Clubhouse. The grant included $60,000 to cover program costs; computers and software valued at more than $100,000; training and technical support; carpet, paint and furnishings; and free Internet access for one year.
"This state of the art Intel Computer Clubhouse provides an exciting opportunity for many youth in the Hilltop neighborhood who never would have access to such technology," said Shirl E. Gilbert II, president and chief executive officer of Tacoma Urban League. "The Urban League is proud to have a role in closing the digital divide and we look forward to continuing to make a difference for youth in our community."
The Evergreen State College-Tacoma Campus is a primary partner with Tacoma Urban League in the local Intel Computer Clubhouse project. "The Clubhouse learning model fits marvelously with our philosophy of allowing students to direct their own education," said Dr. Joye Hardiman, executive director, The Evergreen State College-Tacoma Campus. "Participating in the volunteer mentor program will be a mutual benefit for our students and Clubhouse members."
Going Beyond Access to Building Skills
The Intel Computer Clubhouse is a departure from traditional after-school programs that concentrate on homework and tutorials. Instead, the Clubhouse is both a physical location and proven, successful learning model that aims to go beyond mere access to technology by providing a safe, creative after-school environment where young people from underserved communities are encouraged to "learn by doing." The youth work closely with adult mentors to explore their own ideas, develop meaningful skills, build confidence and a sense of their potential through the use of technology. The Computer Clubhouse learning model is based on: supporting learning through design experiences; helping youth build on their own interests; cultivating an emergent community; and creating an environment of respect and trust.
At this "invention workshop," Clubhouse youth, aged 8 to 18, use professional hardware and software tools to become designers of computer-based products, not just consumers. They create computer-generated art, music and video; develop scientific simulations; design their own animations; build kinetic sculptures and robots; develop their own web pages; and program their own computer games.
A High-Tech Industry, Academic and NonProfit Collaborative
In February 2000, Intel announced its commitment to invest $20 million over five years to establish a network of 100 Computer Clubhouses in underserved communities around the world, based on the Computer Clubhouse learning model created by the Museum of Science, Boston and the MIT Media Laboratory. Intel's goal is to create a replicable model for technology learning.
The Intel Computer Clubhouses will join the flagship Computer Clubhouse at the Museum of Science and 11 previously established Clubhouses in Boston; Gum Springs, Va.; Bogota, Colombia; and Esslingen, Germany. (The existing clubhouses will not carry Intel's name, but will be part of the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network.)
In addition to financial assistance, Intel provides technical, career and volunteer mentor support to the network. For example, a team of Intel professionals installs the technology and networking capability to link Clubhouse youth around the world and provides technical training to clubhouse staff and members. The Museum of Science and MIT Media Lab will maintain and build capacity for the entire Network. Additional support will come from:
- Adobe Systems Inc. is the largest donor of software to the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network, providing products valued at more than $5.9 million to Clubhouses worldwide.
- Macromedia Inc. has donated $2.8 million worth of software, including Director Shockwave Studio and Dreamweaver Fireworks Studio.
- Hewlett-Packard Company is contributing $1 million this year to support the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network for PCs, printers, scanners and digital cameras.
- Autodesk Inc. has contributed $500,000 worth of the award-winning design programs, 3-D Studio Max and Character Studio, used for 3-D modeling and character animation.
In addition to these high-tech leaders, other organizations lending support to the Clubhouse initiative include:
- The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (ATAS) has agreed to provide mentors from its ranks of entertainment executives and artists, and to support internships in the telecommunications industry.
- The LEGO Company will supply MINDSTORMS kits to all 100 Clubhouses, enabling youth to build robots and other interactive constructions.
- Haworth, Inc., a partial sponsor, will provide discounted furnishings to the Clubhouses.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation provided a $600,000 grant to help cover startup costs and sustaining funding for three Intel Computer Clubhouses in Washington and Oregon. "Today's youth need access to the world of digital information and the skills to ensure their success in this technological society," said Richard Akeroyd, executive director of libraries and public access to information for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "These Clubhouses will benefit youth in the Pacific Northwest and beyond."
Intel Innovation in Education
The Intel Computer Clubhouse Network is a key component of the Intel® Innovation in Education initiative, a global, multimillion-dollar effort to help realize the possibilities of science and technology in education. Intel develops and supports education programs that help meet the needs of students and communities worldwide through improving science, math, engineering and technology education; improving education through the effective use of technology in classrooms; and broadening access to technology and technical careers. For more information, please visit www.intel.com/education.
Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.
About Tacoma Urban League
Founded in 1968 to build equality of opportunity, the Tacoma Urban League is a private nonprofit, non-partisan organization dedicated to the service of African Americans, other ethnic minorities and economically disadvantaged individuals and families in the achievement of social equality and economic independence.
Tacoma Urban League operates more than a dozen programs for youth, employment, education and training for adults, and health/welfare/family services. The League provides a variety of services to youth including a Latchkey program and the Tacoma Urban League Academy, an alternative high school.
Intel Innovation in Education
The Intel Computer Clubhouse Network is a key component of the Intel® Innovation in Education initiative, a global, multimillion-dollar effort to help realize the possibilities of science and technology in education. Intel develops and supports education programs that help meet the needs of students and communities worldwide through improving science, math, engineering and technology education; improving education through the effective use of technology in classrooms; and broadening access to technology and technical careers. For more information, please visit www.intel.com/education.
Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.
About Tacoma Urban League
Founded in 1968 to build equality of opportunity, the Tacoma Urban League is a private nonprofit, non-partisan organization dedicated to the service of African Americans, other ethnic minorities and economically disadvantaged individuals and families in the achievement of social equality and economic independence.
Tacoma Urban League operates more than a dozen programs for youth, employment, education and training for adults, and health/welfare/family services. The League provides a variety of services to youth including a Latchkey program and the Tacoma Urban League Academy, an alternative high school.
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