St. Paul Students Demonstrate Technology Expertise for Michael Dell, Gov. Pawlenty

150 Students Complete TechKnow Computer Education Program

ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Students from Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) celebrated their completion of the Dell TechKnow program with Dell CEO Michael Dell and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty during a ceremony today.

“Science and technology are the currency of the new economy. More of our students need to be engaged in science, technology, engineering and math. This program does that in an exciting, hands-on way.”

Since 2005 more than 380 Dell TechKnow students at SPPS have participated in the 40-hour, after-school program, which provides middle school students an opportunity to earn a refurbished home computer and learn technology skills that promote collaboration and problem-solving.

“Today’s students are pushing the technology envelope outside the classroom, so it’s exciting to see them use these skills inside the classroom as they prepare to compete in our global economy,” Mr. Dell said. “Programs like Dell TechKnow contribute to the well-educated work force that will support the Minneapolis-St. Paul area’s economic leadership and development. We appreciate the commitment shown by everyone, from the teachers to the governor, to providing St. Paul’s students with such a great learning opportunity.”

Gov. Pawlenty added, “Science and technology are the currency of the new economy. More of our students need to be engaged in science, technology, engineering and math. This program does that in an exciting, hands-on way.”

The Dell TechKnow curriculum involves a self-paced course in which students learn how to take apart and rebuild a computer, install and use software and access the Internet. Upon completion of the program, students take home a refurbished Dell™ desktop computer loaded with Microsoft® software and receive one year of Internet access at no charge from America Online®.

“We are grateful to our partners at Dell for creating a program that benefits our students and provides technology and lessons that they normally would not have access to,” said Hitesh Haria, chief operating officer, Saint Paul Public Schools. “Through the Dell TechKnow program our students are developing a newfound confidence and unique computer skills that they will be able to use in education, in their personal lives and later as they join the workforce.”

From Dell TechKnow’s inception in 2001 through December 2006, more than 16,800 students have participated nationwide. More than 320 students have completed the program since SPPS joined in fall 2005. More information about the Dell TechKnow program can be found at www.dell.com/k12/techknow.

About Dell

Dell Inc. (NASDAQ:DELL) listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services they trust and value. Uniquely enabled by its direct business model, Dell is a leading global systems and services company and No. 34 on the Fortune 500. For more information, visit www.dell.com, or to communicate directly with Dell via a variety of online channels, go to www.dell.com/conversations. To get Dell news direct, visit www.dell.com/RSS.