Old computers enrich poor kids

A Palm Harbor University High junior is collecting computers to loan to poor kids in elementary school.

By RICHARD DANIELSON

© St. Petersburg Times, published September 2, 2000

PALM HARBOR -- Palm Harbor University High School junior Heather M. Samuelson has an idea to help poor kids in grade school catch up with their more affluent peers.

Now she hopes she can get someone to take it seriously.

Samuelson, 16, is trying to acquire surplus computers and educational software for low-income students at Palm Harbor Elementary School. She has started the initiative, which she calls "Technology Education -- Assisting Children in the Home," or TEACH, as her Girl Scout Gold Award project.

As proposed, she will clean, reformat and load the old computers with educational software. Students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches and are struggling academically could receive a computer on loan for use in their homes for one semester. After the computer is delivered, both the child and parents would receive instruction on using the computer and the installed programs. The loan could be extended as needed.

Palm Harbor Elementary principal Robert McFadden said he was pleased when Samuelson contacted him to pitch her idea.

"I'm excited about the prospect of it and also encouraged to see this high school student who is so motivated and concerned about the community," he said. "When she approached me, I was very enthused."

McFadden said Samuelson is scheduled to meet with Palm Harbor Elementary's faculty this month to provide more information about the project. At that point, he said, teachers will identify students who will benefit from the program.

He didn't know how many of Palm Harbor Elementary's 470 students might be eligible.

So far, however, she has run into some obstacles. Some governmental officials have told her that Florida law prohibits disposal of older or surplus systems to her project. Because of her age, she also has gotten the sense that business owners don't take her project seriously.

As of Friday, Samuelson had gotten 43 systems, almost all of them donated by teachers. Some were accepted only for parts. Others lack monitors. Samuelson said she also needs all kinds of educational software.

"I have some very old ones, so I will take just about everything," she said.

"It's basically for reading, writing and math. Whatever their problem is, that's what kind of computer they'll get."

Samuelson can cite research that students from low-income households are less likely to have a computer at home. She says having access to a computer gives students a distinct academic advantage.

Her goal is to put 50 computers in the homes of kids who need them. It is an ambitious target, but Samuelson is used to setting high goals for herself.

She is enrolled in Palm Harbor University High's International Baccalaureate program and hopes eventually to earn a doctorate in biochemistry and become an astronaut.

But those are long-range goals. For the moment, she is focused more on helping the elementary school students.

"I hope they definitely do better in school," she said. "That's one of my main goals for them."

- Staff writer Richard Danielson can be reached at (727) 445-4194 or danielson@sptimes.com.

To learn more

To find out about the TEACH program or to donate a computer, call Heather Samuelson at (727) 787-6250 or e-mail her at TheSams@aol.com.

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