November 20, 2009 - The Austin School District has received a grant from IBM for 50 Young Explorer learning centers for pre-kindergarten classes in 10 schools as part of IBM’s KidSmart Early Learning Program. The grant is part of a $2 million nationwide initiative by IBM to provide 1,000 computers and teaching curriculum to schools and nonprofit organizations that provide services to areas with more than 40 percent Hispanic population.

Earlier today at Sanchez Elementary School, students demonstrated skills they have acquired on the learning stations. Other campuses that also received the KidSmart computers include: Allen, Allison, Brooke, Govalle, Hart, Metz, Odom, Ortega and Zavala.  
 
The Young Explorers are equipped with award-wining educational software to help children learn and explore concepts in math, science and language. The computer centers can also help children learn important socialization skills such as working together and sharing. Exploration and socialization skills are important to prepare children for future success in school.  
 
“Today, the number of Hispanic students pursuing careers in science, math and technology is extremely low,” said Sandy Dochen, Manager, Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs, Texas and Oklahoma. “We know that early childhood education can prepare children to excel in school so that math and science are within their grasp, and all Latino students become potential scientists and engineers, not just the few.”  
 
“When staff was developing the grant proposal that led to IBM’s generous donation, they specifically included the eight elementary schools that feed into the newly established Green and Global Tech high schools at Eastside Memorial,” said Superintendent Dr. Meria Carstarphen. “These schools utilize sophisticated  
computer technology as a platform for all communication and student work. Building students’ comfort and proficiency using computers as an educational tool at such an early age will serve them well in their long-term academic future, and later in their professional and personal lives. Additionally, all of these schools work closely together as a team.”  
 
The eight elementary schools that track to Eastside High School include: Allen, Allison, Brooke, Govalle, Metz, Ortega, Sanchez and Zavala.  
 
The KidSmart program includes access to the KidSmart website http://www.kidsmartearlylearning.org, which provides helpful information for teachers and parents on early childhood learning and technology. The web site is also available in Spanish.  
 
Additionally, the new learning stations will be available to students’ parents. Each participating elementary school has a full-time parent specialist. The specialists will work with the pre-kindergarten teachers to organize after-school sessions for the parents to learn about the program and see how their children use the Young Explorers. This experience may motivate the parents to become computer literate. The parent specialists can also help parents access the KidSmart website by using computers in the school library or parent room.  
 
Dochen added, “At a time when many school programs are facing an education budget crisis, we are extending our program to those communities that often face reduced resources.”  
 
IBM developed the KidSmart program more than a decade ago to help reduce the digital divide, especially in urban areas, where it was becoming apparent that children from less affluent backgrounds could benefit from access to specialized technology tools and educational materials to better prepare them to enter school. Since then, more than 100,000 teachers have been trained on how to use the programs effectively in the classroom. IBM estimates that millions of children worldwide have used a Young Explorer computer learning center.