Algiers Students Heading to Silicon Valley
Twelve eager to visit Mecca of technology

October 14 , 2007
Michael Molaison
The Times Picayune

Algiers Technology Academy is taking 12 of its high school students on a dream field trip this week: to Silicon Valley.

Freshman Kevin Martin can't wait to visit EA Sports headquarters, where he will see firsthand where the video game Madden Football is created.

Principal Henderson Lewis Jr. said, "The students are very excited. We wish, of course, that we were able to take more children; this is a great start. I do feel that it benefits our students by giving them an opportunity to go to a place where technology is everywhere."

The school has been raising money and has received numerous donations from around the country, but it is still roughly $2,000 short of its goal of $10,000 for the trip, which begins Wednesday. Any business or individual interested in making a contribution is asked to call Algiers Charter Schools Association spokesman David Grubb at (504) 393-0926, or to learn more information about the trip, call Lewis at (504) 433-7134.

During their trip, which ends Saturday, in addition to EA Sports, the students will tour Facebook.com, DreamWorks Animation Studios, the Stanford University Science Department and the Technology Museum of Innovation in San Jose, and they will meet with a group of young Silicon Valley entrepreneurs.

"They will see young people very close to their age who have made technology their career choice. I think this will be the greatest impact: to see young people they can identify with," Lewis said.

Exposure to technology is not the only objective. "We try to expose our kids to technology, but also to the rest of the United States. This will add to their overall education experience."

Students won their spots on the trip by writing winning essays about technology of the future. Martin's essay discussed using technology to help New Orleans in the future, and specifically using it to stop crime. Martin's favorite subjects are physical science, taught by Eva Seligman, and geography, taught by Adam Brumer.

During the trip, students also will work on part of a yearlong project to create a video documentary of ATA's first year. The school formerly was Rosenwald Elementary School and became a high school this year.

Meco Cooper is one of the teachers on the trip to Silicon Valley, and he is leading the video documentary effort. Lewis said, "We received a grant through the Pearson Foundation to help kids learn how to make and edit movies. The kids will use the software to document their experience in Silicon Valley, and it will be a segment in the overall documentary."

As part of the Pearson grant, the Digital Arts Alliance provided laptop computers with video editing software to the school. They also provided training on the use of the software. "For the most part, everyone in the school has made some type of movie with this technology."

Lewis also talked about forging a linkage with Louisiana's burgeoning movie industry. "It's on our to-do list. We want to tap into that industry."

Lewis joined ACSA last year as assistant principal for Alice Harte Elementary. Previously, he was in the St. Bernard Parish school system. He continues to live in St. Bernard and is actively rebuilding his home there. Today, in addition to his role as principal of ATA, Lewis sits on the St. Bernard Parish School Board representing District 9.

Of his career move to join ACSA, Lewis said, "It's the best thing that happened for me in my professional career. It's been a blessing."

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Michael Molaison is an Algiers resident who writes about people and events in the community. To reach him, call him at (504) 324-2413 or email him at mike@AlgiersAccent.com.