Burnsville High School recently received ten laptops for its business classes - all of them at no charge to the school district.  This generous gift would not have been possible without the assistance of MN Computers for Schools and getSTEM.  MN Computers for Schools learned about Burnsville High School's need for additional computers from an "ASK" on www.getSTEM-mn.com.

Cindy Drahos is a Business Education instructor for Burnsville High School.  She saw firsthand, on a daily basis, the impact the lack of available laptops had on the students in her business classes.  Those wanting to participate in technology web competitions and/or achieve Microsoft certifications were being negatively impacted by the lack of available computers.  The school district does have a computer lab, but there is no guarantee that the room will be available or that all computers are not being used at any given time. 

Students who do not have laptops available to them at home were at a significant disadvantage and their ability to further their technical horizons was stunted with reduced access to laptops.  Looking to remedy the situation, Cindy posted an "ASK" on the getSTEM website.

Enter Tamara Gillard, Executive Director of MN Computers for Schools.  Tamara is familiar with getSTEM, as she also sits on the K-12 committee for MN High Tech Association.  MN Computer for Schools is a non-profit agency, and through foundation support, they sell (or grant) recycled computers.  The computers come from various donors across the state and are reworked and built to the IT specifications of a particular school.  The rebuilding work is completed through a program at Stillwater Correctional Facilities, where troubleshooting, refurbishing and rebuilding skills are taught.  Once computers are totally tested, they are then available at low cost to schools across the state.

When Tamara became aware of Burnsville High School's "ASK" on getSTEM, she acted swiftly to respond.  She and Cindy Drahos discussed the needs of the Business Education Department and its specific IT specifications.  Within a week of the initial contact, the production process was complete and the ten laptops were personally delivered to Burnsville High School.  Cindy was "absolutely amazed" at how well the process worked and how rapidly their particular need was filled. 

The students were equally as excited and were anxious to try them out the very day they arrived.  Cindy reports daily requests for use of the laptops, including the ability to take them home over nights and weekends.  She is extremely grateful that computers are now available to those students who strive to achieve advanced technical skills, and she thanks MN Computers for Schools for the amazing gift and getSTEM for making it all possible.