Internet's vital, but not attainable for some families; Pensacola tech lab may change that

Brittany Misencik, Pensacola News Journal
·3 min read

When students get ready to start the school day, logging onto a device is now as commonplace as having a desk full of freshly sharpened pencils.

But in Pensacola, many children do not have a device or a broadband connection to go home to and practice on.

Cox Communications is helping to even the playing field for children ages 6 to 18 by partnering with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast to launch the new $20,000 Cox Technology Innovation Lab that was unveiled at the Pensacola Club in Englewood on Wednesday.

Cox staff hope the programs on the gifted lab devices, ranging from desktops and laptops to 3D printers, will give children exposure to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) activities and digital literacy skills that they can take with them through the rest of their lives.

Children at the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast learn about 3D printing at the new Cox Technology Innovation Lab at the Pensacola Club in Englewood on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2022. The $20,000 collaborative workspace features new computer workstations, enhanced digital learning, S.T.E.A.M. focus areas and two 3D printers.
Children at the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast learn about 3D printing at the new Cox Technology Innovation Lab at the Pensacola Club in Englewood on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2022. The $20,000 collaborative workspace features new computer workstations, enhanced digital learning, S.T.E.A.M. focus areas and two 3D printers.

Santa Rosa beefs up Internet accessBetter, faster, stronger? Santa Rosa making plans to improve internet access

Improvement plans for O.J. SemmesPensacola's O.J. Semmes Elementary earned 2 straight Fs. Florida wants answers and action.

Then, in turn, the hope is for children to educate their family members that may not be as comfortable using technology in daily life, such as updating a resume or scheduling a bill payment online.

“Technology is expensive. It’s just like playing an expensive sport. Unfortunately, you have to have the money to be able to do it,” said Boys & Girls Club CEO Shervin Rassa. “For kids to be on an even playing field right now, they have to know this stuff. It’s paramount for their academic development, but also when they’re adults who want to work.”

Rassa added, “I’m glad, through our partnership, we are able to expose our kids to this every day.”

Not only will children have access to programs teaching them the basics, like mouse skills, troubleshooting and online safety, but the lab team will give them projects to work on that could spark career interest later. The children choose their own topics of exploration, in subjects like animation, audio producing, color theory and coding.

“Our mission is really to impact the young lives of kids that need us the most and inspire them to become productive, responsible, caring and responsible citizens,” Rassa said.

Sam Roberts shows a group of kids at the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast how to use the 3D printer at the new Cox Technology Innovation Lab in Pensacola on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2022. The $20,000 collaborative workspace features new computer workstations, enhanced digital learning, S.T.E.A.M. focus areas and two 3D printers.
Sam Roberts shows a group of kids at the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast how to use the 3D printer at the new Cox Technology Innovation Lab in Pensacola on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2022. The $20,000 collaborative workspace features new computer workstations, enhanced digital learning, S.T.E.A.M. focus areas and two 3D printers.

Staff members like Sam Roberts, the IT director for Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast, monitor the children’s’ activity and take inventory of their interests. The children are also able to view projects that their peers have created online and comment on them using emojis.

“It functions like a kid-safe social network,” Roberts said.

David Deliman, market vice president for Cox Communications, said the lab was a natural way to give back to the community and contribute to creating digital equity.

“The earlier that we can instill these skills and resources into the students, the better,” he said. “The Boys and Girls Club is really a great partner because they are working with these kids every day who don’t always have the advantages that other kids have. This helps them to stay level and get that level playing field so they can be competitive.”

Representatives of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast and Cox Communication dedicate the new Cox Technology Innovation Lab at the Englewood location on "H" Street on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. The $20,000 collaborative workspace features new computer workstations, enhanced digital learning, S.T.E.A.M. focus areas, and two 3D printers.
Representatives of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast and Cox Communication dedicate the new Cox Technology Innovation Lab at the Englewood location on "H" Street on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. The $20,000 collaborative workspace features new computer workstations, enhanced digital learning, S.T.E.A.M. focus areas, and two 3D printers.

Deliman noted that the company also works to help provide affordable internet access to help low-income families, even those without children, through programs like Connect2Compete and the Affordable Connectivity Program.

“What we see, particularly with the Connect2Compete program, is families who have never been online at home —they get the connectivity for the child, for school, for homework or whatnot — but then mom’s applying for a new job. She has to go online to do that. Dad may be updating his resume or wants to book a telehealth appointment. This connectivity supports the whole family.”

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Cox gifts $20,000 Innovation Lab to Pensacola's Boys and Girls Club