Choctaw Nation YAB Students Build Computers

Twelve students representing the Choctaw Nation Youth Advisory Board South spent their morning on Tuesday, Jan 16 building a computer and learning about coding at Howe Public Schools.  The ConnectHome Training event was held on the campus of Howe Public Schools for YAB members from Howe, Wister and Heavener.  Each student received a Kano Computer Kit valued at $200 from the Choctaw Nation.  The students built the computers, running Raspberry Pi 3 and Kano OS, assembling all components by themselves.  The students were then introduced to several coding activities on their new devices.  The students involved in this training were also involved in training families how to use computer tablets in the Choctaw Nation ConnectHome initiative.  Brandie Lovell, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Community Outreach Specialist coordinated scheduling the event for the YAB students.  The students were surprised at the end of the training to learn the devices belonged to them.  Students representing Howe were: Cindy Garcia, 8th grade; McKell Morrison, 8th grade; Delaney Permenter, 8th grade; Lela Lynch, 9th grade; and Mark Lopez, 11th grade.