KidsTek Starts the 2013 School Year with Eighteen Programs

Denver, CO, October 05, 2013 --(PR.com)-- KidsTek starts the 2013-2014 school year with eighteen programs across Denver and Aurora Public Schools.

The new school year is underway and KidsTek is impacting technology education for under-served Colorado youth each and every day. Four elementary schools and five middle schools are participating in KidsTek after school programs, and the high school programs are a combination of after school programs, for credit courses and dual credit courses with Aurora Community College. Many of the schools participating in this year’s programs are entering their third year of partnering with KidsTek.

At North High School in Denver KidsTek launched a new course that includes entrepreneur Fridays where students interview local business owners to see real world examples of technology immersed in the business world while learning computer skills along the way. The students lead the entire presentation from compiling questions to the presentation and interview of the guest entrepreneur. The instructor, Craig Nason says "I have the privilege of teaching for KidsTek at North High School, where I get to connect relevant computer skills to the dreams my students have for their futures."

The goal of KidsTek is to equip students with technology skills needed in a world where technology is ever increasing, but more importantly work with students who are at risk of not continuing their education. Last year KidsTek worked with 784 students. All high school seniors enrolled with KidsTek intended on continuing their education and more than half of those students chose IT majors. KidsTek also awards one high school senior with a scholarship each year to aid in their journey and praise the hard work of the students participating in the program. "Over the past few years, I've been able to witness students increase in their confidence and abilities with computers,” says Andrew Bissland, the Program Director for KidsTek. “I've seen some of our students express themselves creatively with technology, some tackle challenging computer projects, and some go off to college and choose IT majors. We're very excited to launch another new school year, and continue to help to bridge Colorado's digital divide."

KidsTek’s partnerships with Denver Public Schools and the COMPASS program of Aurora have affected many Colorado kids and will continue to do so for many future school years. Ryan Lee, a former student of KidsTek and a senior at Hinkley High School says, “KidsTek has opened my eyes to a whole new world of technology and learning. The people at KidsTek have helped me apply myself to my education."

About KidsTek

KidsTek is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Denver, Colorado. Since 2000, KidsTek has aimed to increase the technology literacy of students at Colorado's highest-needs schools through innovative after school, project based enrichment programs, and in-school technical certification programs. KidsTek provides an extensive technology curriculum for host schools with the goal of providing the tools for long-term academic and career success. For more information on KidsTek, please call (303) 818-1474 or visit KidsTek.org.