ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Students from more than 40 New Mexico schools are expected to benefit from Sandia National Laboratories’ annual K-12 Computer Donation Event next week, where more than 1,000 computers and related accessories will be distributed.
Media representatives must RSVP to attend:
What: Sandia 2018 K-12 Computer Donation Event
When: 8 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14
Where: Meet in the lobby at the Innovation Parkway Office Complex, 1611 Innovation Parkway SE (near the intersection of Eubank Boulevard and Innovation Parkway)
RSVP: Contact Manette Fisher at 505-844-1742 or mfisher@sandia.gov by Friday, Aug. 10
Representatives from schools around the state, who preregistered for the event, will collect the computers for students, along with printers, power cords, keyboards, mice, headphones, monitors and speakers. Last year, tablets were distributed to schools for the first time, and Sandia plans to donate more this year.
Supply chain team lead Michael Somuk prepares for Sandia National Laboratories’ annual K-12 Computer Donation Event. More than 40 New Mexico schools are expected to participate this year. (Photo by Randy Montoya) Click on the thumbnail for a high-resolution image.
In 2017, donations of 401 iPads, 572 laptops, 1,043 desktops and related accessories totaled about $3.1 million for schools across the state.
Supply chain team lead Michael Somuk said all equipment is in good condition following use by labs employees for day-to-day work and special projects. Once the equipment has reached the end of its useful life at Sandia and is no longer needed by employees, it can be donated to schools.
Ben Potts, director of technology for Silver Consolidated Schools, said the donations benefit nine schools in his district. Before the Silver City area started participating five years ago, students used outdated equipment and the district was behind in preparing for the statewide digital rollover for standardized testing. Potts said every computer lab in the district comprises equipment from Sandia Labs, including a new STEM lab at the high school.
“We’ve been able to add labs, and, for the most part, teachers are able to obtain as many computers, laptops and iPads as they need,” Potts said, adding that as older equipment is rotated out, some teachers continue to use the equipment to teach students about the inside of computers, or use parts to teach robotics, thus extending computer life even further.
“It’s a win-win for everybody because the schools get computers and equipment in good shape,” said Somuk. “In New Mexico, that is extremely valuable because some school districts have extremely tight budgets. We’ve had schools come to us and say, if it wasn’t for this program they wouldn’t have any information technology resources.”
Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory operated by National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration. Sandia Labs has major research and development responsibilities in nuclear deterrence, global security, defense, energy technologies and economic competitiveness, with main facilities in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Livermore, California.
Sandia news media contact: Manette Fisher, mfisher@sandia.gov, 505-844-1742