An ASU technology club is hoping to promote children’s interest in technology by providing a new computer lab for a local elementary school.
Computers for Kids is the latest service project of the Department of Information Systems Club.
The club focuses on information technology and business, and provides members with the opportunity to learn about leadership and career development and get involved with industry firms and professionals, said DISC president David Roman.
The club is hoping to raise at least $15,000 in funds to go toward providing a local school with 30 brand new computers, Roman said.
Any school in Maricopa County can apply to be selected for this new computer lab. The school will be chosen based on requirements determined by DISC, such as the school’s needs and if the school has the right resources for the upkeep of the computers, said Shannon Keelan, vice president of community services for DISC.
The project began this semester. Keelan thought of the idea because her interest for computers began in the first grade, when she was introduced to a new computer lab at her school.
She said she hopes that the computer lab does the same for the students at the school that is chosen.
Roman also hopes that the new lab sparks an interest for computers in students.
“Our goal is toward generating excitement around computers and technology,” he said. “Hopefully students will be more likely to become interested in computers.”
DISC held its first official fundraiser event for Computers for Kids Thursday night.
The event was held before the Phoenix Suns game at U.S. Airways Center. It included a pre-game tour of the arena and a presentation from the Suns’ Vice President of Management Information Systems Bill Bolt and U.S. Airways Center Human Resources Director Karen Rausch, Roman said.
The two shared their career experiences working at U.S Airways Center with attendees and club members. Attendees paid $35 to attend the event and the game. About $15 was taken out of each ticket to go toward Computers for Kids, Roman said.
Keelan said there were 30 people going to the game for the DISC fundraiser.
The group is planning on having more events and dinners to fundraise for the project, Keelan said.
“Ideally we hope to have raised enough money before the end of the semester,” she said. “I hope it will happen sooner rather than later.”
Computer information senior Cassie Townsend said she’s supporting the fundraising efforts because computers are essential to learning.
“Computers are a really important part of school and education these days,” she said. “They’re necessary.”
The club has other service projects it supports throughout the year, but Roman said Computers for Kids is one of the most ambitious.
“The sheer scope is ambitious,” Roman said. “$15,000 is a lot of money for a student organization to pick up.”
Although the amount of money needed to fund a new computer lab is impressive, Keelan said reaching out to the community is important.
“Our club’s focus is more on connecting with the community,” she said.
Reach the reporter at sophia.charchuk@asu.edu
