DSU and Verizon launch tech program for middle schoolers

Thanks to a sizable donation from one telecommunications company and their partnership with a local university, some Delaware youngsters are getting an amazing opportunity…exposure to come cutting edge tech.

On Tuesday,Verizon granted Delaware officials a $400,000 check on Tuesday, to fund a technology based program at Delaware State University.

“I am very excited about the technology aspect because I think that if we have more technology in our lives it is going to help more people,” says Sean Holmes, a seventh grader at Central Middle School.

It’s called the Verizon Innovative Learning Program, this program has hands-on classes in coding, robotics, and 3D design available to dozens of minority middle school boys.

Tony Lewis, the Verizon Region Vice President says, “We saw a spark at this university that we could ignite with just a little bit of resource, but more so a push to help these young people learn to innovate.”

On Tuesday, the Dover middle schoolers were on their second day.

“I am kind of star struck about it because the things that they are teaching us help us change the world,”says Joshua Dawson, an eighth grader at Central Middle School.

Dawson showed 47 ABC a name plate he’s made so far using a 3D printer. He says this program is going to keep him in the right path of reaching his dream career.

“I thought about how I wanted to be a game designer for a while, and things you just made we really like technology,” says Dawson.

The students will continue with this program at DSU  through the summer months, but their learning doesn’t stop there. This is a two year program and Dover middle school teachers will continue these technology classes at their respective schools.