2. “ There currently exists a gap between people who enjoy the benefits of technology and those whose lives could be significantly improved by it. While this is painstakingly clear in developing countries, there is evidence that the digital divide exists even within North America. Regardless of the reasons for this gap, there is a moral imperative to ensure that everyone has equal access to information technology.” 1

3. In addition, despite having one of the most highly educated populations in the nation, Colorado has consistently underperformed in sending students who grow up here to college. This is known as the “Colorado Paradox.” 2 Technology literacy is a key component to having our children succeed in their educational careers and to adequately prepare them for a competitive workforce.

4. KidsTek increases the technology literacy of Colorado’s most underserved children by providing tuition-free technology education in innovative after school programs. We enrich the existing technology curriculum of Colorado schools by inspiring a passion for technology through fun, project-based learning.

5. KidsTek provides quality instructors teaching after school technology classes in communities across Colorado’s Front Range at program sites in Denver, Aurora, Loveland, Fort Collins and Wellington. KidsTek has developed a comprehensive curriculum to meet the technology education needs of children aged from kindergarten through the 12 th grade.

6. KidsTek’s project-based learning teaches the most necessary computer skills through a hands-on approach. KidsTek teaches and reinforces these skills through projects using the power of the Internet, the most commonly used applications including Microsoft Office, and multimedia applications that engage children’s interest in the possibilities of technology.

7. - KidsTek currently serves over 1200 individual students each year at a dozen after school classroom locations. - KidsTek maintains a school year aggregate attendance average of 1000 students per month. - KidsTek maintains a cost-effective program with low overhead– it costs only $10K to provide an instructor teaching twice per week for an entire school year.

8. KidsTek addresses the "digital divide" by partnering with other organizations that serve underprivileged youth. A Colorado 501(c)(3) organization, KidsTek was originally founded in 2000 as the 'Colorado Technology Community Foundation.' KidsTek has maintained consistent growth-- expanding its programs to communities who need our services the most. We have increased our program size 14-fold over just the last three years alone.

9. KidsTek hopes to continue to expand to more communities of need. - We currently have classes that serve K-12 children in Larimer County. - We serve both elementary-aged and high school students in Denver Public Schools. - We have current classes at multiple elementary, middle, and high schools in Aurora.

10. Our goal is to work towards increased technology literacy for all of Colorado’s school children in order to: - increase the self-sufficiency of underserved populations - have a better educated and more competitive workforce.