[DC LoCo] Ubuntu novice hoping to start up kids club in local school

[John M. Willis]

Our family has had success with a model of interest. However, it 
requires teenagers.

First, a good location is needed to keep computer parts, work on 
computers and must have good wired connectivity.

Second, solicit donations of hardware of unused systems and peripherals. 
Most of it will be old. And a lot of it will run Linux.

The teenagers then figure out what works and what does not. Out of the 
mess, they create a Linux box for their own use and one to give away for 
a nominal charge ($25-$50 to cover gas to run around picking up all of 
the donations)--or just give away to someone who can't afford one.

Hac DC would be an ideal location except for where it is located.

We have a 16 year old homeschooler that has processed many systems in 
this way--including laptops--and would enjoy working on more of them. We 
are in Wheaton, but do not have space to host such a club. Plus, around 
DC it helps to be connected to a tax-deductible organization in order to 
get donations. It would be nice if someone could get a high school to 
sponsor such a club, and then partner with an elementary school...


On 10/27/2012 08:52 AM, jerry w wrote:
> I guess some of the models to consider are:
>
> OLPCLearningClub.org
>
> and the
> Scratch Days
> RobotFest.com events
>
> While not specific to Ubuntu (Sugar is on Fedora,
> though some have tried porting it, with limited success),
> though there is cross membership and leadership,
> One Laptop Per Child is a kids computer (the famed
> $100 goal price computer) on the 2 million
> machines out there level, mostly internationally.
>
> Scratch and OLPC are MIT Based or originated,
> and RobotFest is a local event that became a
> Mini Maker Faire over the years.
>
> There is also the Science and Engineering Festival
> and FIRST Robotics, along with RobotFest
> which are rather military based, If You Ask Me,
> as in fund kid stuff to develop for defense contractors,
> though the applications are not limited to that...
>
> YMMV
> (the views expressed don't necessarily align
> with the organizations described)
>
>
> On Sat, Oct 27, 2012 at 6:26 AM, Jason Blum <jason.blum at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Hello,
>>
>> I've just made the switch to Ubuntu from a Mac and loving it.  I've been a
>> ColdFusion programmer for the last ten years (don't laugh) but also switched
>> recently to Python.
>>
>> I also have four kids, the oldest two (9) I am keen on getting comfortable
>> with Linux (thru EduBuntu I guess?), Scratch, Python, or at least
>> touch-typing, etc.  I'm thinking about partnering up with other parents
>> perhaps to start up a bi-monthly computer club in their school.  With one
>> daughter, I'd especially like to aim for half the club members to be girls.
>> I've already emailed our local PTA list and heard back at least a dozen
>> parents who wanted their kids to join, but were unable to bring any
>> technical expertise.
>>
>> Anyway just touching base and wondering if you have any recommendations on
>> resources or other folks who might like to team up.  I've clicked around
>> your site and meeting minutes and found http://spreadubuntu.org/ and the DC
>> Mini Maker Unfaire.
>>
>> I think my main concern is how to advise parents on an inexpensive laptop to
>> throw Ubuntu on.  I'm a little spoiled with a System76 and have only tried
>> installing it myself on an old HP laptop, where I've only run up against one
>> issue after another.  I don't feel qualified to support a club of parents
>> and kids who have presumably even less experience...
>>
>> I guess one thought for promoting Ubuntu in schools, might be for you more
>> experienced folks to mentor a parent like myself through an install party or
>> a couple meetings until the club gets rolling, after which the parent can
>> take over, and report back to your group regularly?
>>
>> Oh my school btw is the new
>> http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/singeres/ in Silver Spring.
>>
>> Anyway greetings and just wanted to say hello.
>>
>> -Jason Blum
>> Silver Spring, MD
>>
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>
>