“Intel Corporation, in cooperation with the Museum of Science, Boston, its award-winning Computer Clubhouse, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab, announced that Tacoma Urban League has been selected to host the first Intel Computer Clubhouse in Washington.The Intel Computer Clubhouse is a safe, creative after-school environment where youth from under-served communities work closely with adult mentors to explore their own ideas, develop problem-solving skills, and build confidence through the use of technology.We are delighted to work with Tacoma Urban League to establish the first clubhouse in Washington, said Dave Fisher, Intel Washington site manager. Tacoma Urban League has a history of successful programs for youth, great linkages to the community, dynamic leadership, and a vision for the future.Tacoma Urban League will receive a grant valued at nearly $200,000 to support the installation and first-year operations of the clubhouse. The grant includes $60,000 to cover program costs; computers and software valued at more than $100,000; training and technical support; furnishings; and free Internet access for one year.The Tacoma Urban League is tremendously excited about this program, said Dr. Shirl E. Gilbert II, president and CEO of the Tacoma Urban League. We see it as an opportunity, in collaboration with the Evergreen State College-Tacoma and other community agencies, to address the digital divide that is so prevalent in inner city America. We look forward to working with Intel to establish this phenomenal resource.Intel, the world’s largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. The Intel Computer Clubhouse Network is a key program of the Intel Innovation in Education initiative, a global, multi-million 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. Evergreen State College-Tacoma is a primary partner with the Tacoma Urban League in the 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, TESC-Tacoma. Participating in the volunteer mentor program will be a mutual benefit for our students and the clubhouse members.The clubhouse will be opened in Tacoma, in renovated offices on Martin Luther King Way, the first part of next year.Tacoma Urban League was founded in 1968 to build equality of opportunity. The League is a private nonprofit, non-partisan organization dedicated to the service of African Americans, other ethnic minorities and economically disadvan-taged individuals and families in the achievement of social equality and economic independence.They operate 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. About the Intel Computer ClubhouseThe Intel Computer Clubhouse is both an inviting physical space and a learning philosophy. The clubhouse 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.In this invention workshop, clubhouse youth, aged 8 to 18, express themselves through projects based on their own interests to become designers, not just consumers, of technology. Using professional software tools, youth can 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. Adult mentors serve as role models and support Clubhouse members’ self-directed explorations.Intel will provide financial, technical, career, and volunteer mentor support to proliferate the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network globally. In addition, a team of Intel professionals will work with the host organization to install the technology and networking capability to link Clubhouse youth around the world and provide technical training to Clubhouse staff and members.Intel will invest $20 million dollars over the next five years. This includes funding for Intel Computer Clubhouses and funding for the Museum of Science, Boston and MIT Media Lab to maintain and build capacity for the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network.The program includes support from Adobe Systems, Covad Communications, Hewlett-Packard, Macromedia, and Autodesk, Inc. Additional support has been received from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (ATAS) and the LEGO Company. Covad Communications will provide DSL Internet access to the Clubhouse Network.Hewlett-Packard will support the first round of Clubhouses through a generous donation of desktop PCs, printers, scanners and digital cameras. ATAS has agreed to provide mentors from its ranks of entertainment executives and artists, and to support internships in the telecommunications industry. Additionally, the LEGO Company will supply MINDSTORMS kits to all 100 Clubhouses, enabling youth to build robots and other interactive constructions.For more information, please visit www.intel.com/education. “