Project Title:
NTIA Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program (CMCPP): UConn Hartford Community CS Workshops
Funding Program:
Connecting Minority Communities Program
Project Purpose/Type:
The University of Connecticut (UConn) Hartford Community Computer Science Workshops project aims to use funding from the NTIA Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program to provide broadband access for in-need students in the city of Hartford, Connecticut. The project will be managed under UConn’s Sustainable Global Cities Initiative (SGCI) and will organize a community workshop program that connects the institution with in-need students through city outreach and provides them with broadband internet service and compatible device access.
City/Town/Service Area:
State(s):
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$2,864,285.00Funding Amount$2,864,285.00Total Project Cost0.00Non-Federal Cost Share
The proposed project involves three stages. First, the UConn Sustainable Global Cities Initiative (SGCI) group plans to recruit in-need high school students from the identified census tracts in the anchor community to support student exposure to the field of computer science through after-school workshops. Second, a Hartford-based CMC IT Helpdesk is planned to support the efforts needed to coordinate the deployment of the broadband access points from a local partner internet service provider for the anchor community, and to support the distribution of low-cost computers. Third, the institution will launch workshop deployment and support. This support will last for the duration of the project and takes different forms for each student beneficiary group. It includes moderation for the support groups, mentoring, Q&A, teaching, and community organizing to lend a helping hand.
As a result of project implementation, UConn students and students identified from two high poverty communities in the city of Hartford will have access to broadband internet service and compatible device. Students will also have the opportunity to develop a skillset that will allow them to pursue higher education and career opportunities in the field of computer science.
The targeted beneficiaries are in-need students in the city of Hartford Connecticut at three academic levels: first-year high school, college track high school, and first-year UConn students.
The recipient does not intend to subaward funds.
The applicant does not fund a consortium. The applicant’s activities do occur in the surrounding anchor communities. Details of community involvement are described below.