Intel awards $70,000 to create computer refurbishment lab at Burnet Middle School in Austin
Employee volunteers set up lab
Intel presents $70,000 check to Austin Partners in Education
Austin Partners in Education (APIE) received a grant of $70,000 from Intel on August 11, 2008 to further develop the Burnet Middle School Computer Refurbishment Program.
"Austin Partners in Education is deeply grateful to Intel for its generous contribution to the Computer Refurb Lab at Burnet Middle School,” Kathrin Brewer, Executive Director of APIE said. “This support enables APIE to increase local technology education and access in Austin ISD."
Intel Texas employees stepped up to help on Aug. 15, 2008 when they volunteered to paint and organize the new lab room, assemble furniture for the lab and set up desktop computers donated by Intel for the students. The volunteer effort was part of a commitment by Intel employees to volunteer 1 million hours in local communities in 2008 in celebration of Intel's 40th anniversary.
In fall of 2007 Intel donated over 450 computers to Austin Partners in Education that were to be recycled. Out of that generous donation, the Burnet Middle School Refurb program was created, and a very successful "pilot" program was run in the spring semester of 2008.
This fall, APIE, Austin Independent School District (Austin ISD), and Burnet Middle School, in collaboration with Intel, and the Andy Roddick Foundation, will officially launch a Computer Refurb Lab designed to engage, educate and empower middle school students to develop a career path and to build the technical capacity at schools.
The refurb lab will supply about 1,000 computers per year to Austin ISD students and other after school programs. The program will occur during school day for class credit, and students will learn the refurbishment process from intake through deployment of computers with the help of an instructor and volunteers.
Volunteers from the Texas Advanced Computing Center have also assisted in the set up of the refurb lab and will continue to mentor students in the program. About 500 of the computers will supply another after school program for middle school students throughout the district.
Refurbished computers will be provided to qualified students who complete the program and who do not have a computer at home. As a result, the students become a source of answers to computer questions raised by peers and school staff at Burnet Middle School.
Intel funding will be applied to the development of the lab, computer acquisition, storage and transportation, replacement parts for the refurbished computers, and student training and curriculum.
Intel employees have been directly involved in the development of the lab, donating their time and expertise to convert a woodshop into a high-tech facility. "Intel is very excited to support Burnet Middle School students and teachers," said Carlos Contreras, Intel Texas Education Manager. “This program will develop the next generation of innovators that is so critical to our economy and the future of these bright and talented students.”
About Austin Partners in Education
Austin Partners in Education creates and fosters effective community and school partnerships that provide all AISD students preparation for college and career. Our current focus is implementing and expanding programs that utilize the talents of corporate and community volunteers to significantly improve the academic success of students in under-resourced communities while also preparing them for college/career. To learn more, visit www.austinpartners.org.
