The Computer Clubhouse Learning Approach: Engaging and Inspiring Youth through Technology

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Date: Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Time: 10:30 — 12 Noon

The Computer Clubhouse encourages youth to explore their own ideas, develop skills, and build confidence. Without classes or a prescribed curriculum, the Clubhouse provides young people a supportive environment and a variety of software and technological tools for use in the visual arts, video, robotics, music, Web and graphic design. This workshop draws on best practices from the Computer Clubhouse learning approach and introduces participants to knowledge, resources, and effective practices to take with them and implement with youth at their Neighborhood Networks center.

Materials:
Computer Clubhouse presentation

Moderator:
Brenda Brown
Operations Officer
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Baltimore, MD

Presenters:

Brenda Abanavas
Program Manager
Intel Computer Clubhouse Network

With more than 20 years of experience in school-age programming, case management services, and youth outreach services in Boston’s inner-city neighborhoods, Brenda Abanavas manages the Girls’ Day program at the “flagship” Computer Clubhouse at the Museum of Science. She is also the program manager for Hear Our Voices: Girls and Technology at the Computer Clubhouse. An advocate for gender awareness, gender equity, and the development of programming that addresses the unique learning needs of female and male Clubhouse members, Abanavas emphasizes equal access for learning in Computer Clubhouse settings. Abanavas also provides support as the geographic liaison for the Computer Clubhouses in Europe, the Middle East, and the southeastern United States, and works on planning and methodology for assessing the impact of the Computer Clubhouse on youth and communities. Abanavas has directed the design and implementation of arts-based programs for youth in several Boston nonprofit organizations, and has consulted to, trained, and supported a variety of school-age service providers. Abanavas earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration from Park University.

Gail Breslow
Director
Intel Computer Clubhouse Network

As the director of the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network, Gail Breslow oversees the dissemination of the Computer Clubhouse to community-based organizations both nationally and internationally. In addition, she has spearheaded the development of programs, such as Hear Our Voices (a Clubhouse program for girls and young women); Clubhouse-to College/Clubhouse-to-Career; and Beyond Four Walls: The Computer Clubhouse as Invention Studio. Prior to joining the Computer Clubhouse, Breslow was with Gemini Consulting, an international management consulting firm, where her work focused primarily on strategy implementation and organization management for Fortune 500 companies. Breslow also served as a program director at the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington, D.C. For many years, Breslow served on the technology and youth advisory committee of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and has led workshops about the Clubhouse’s unique learning approach at youth, community, and technology conferences around the country. Breslow earned a master’s of business administration from the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University and an undergraduate degree from Oberlin College.

Karen Ellis
Program Manager
Intel Computer Clubhouse Network

For the Computer Clubhouse Network, Karen Ellis manages mentor recruiting and support efforts, as well as the Network’s Clubhouse-to-College/College-to-Career (C2C) initiatives, which connects young people with ongoing support and opportunities beyond the Clubhouse. Ellis also provides geographic liaison support to Clubhouses in the northeastern United States and Asia Pacific region of the Clubhouse Network. Ellis chaired the 2006 Computer Clubhouse Network Teen Summit, which brought together more than 330 young people and staff to work collaboratively and share their ideas with one another. She also co-chaired the 2002 and 2004 Computer Clubhouse Teen Summits, and administers the C2C Scholarship Program, which provides resources to Clubhouse members and alumni to support their transition to post-high school education. Before joining the Computer Clubhouse Network, Ellis was involved in a national service organization as an America’s Promise Fellow in the Mayor’s Office of Community Partnerships in Boston, concentrating on youth development and asset building in organizations that focus on youth in afterschool time. Ellis earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and geography from Clark University.