Dan River Information Technology Academy (DRITA)

这项名为“丹河信息技术学院（DRITA）”的提案是一项为期三年的计划，面向那些对从事IT或STEM职业感兴趣的贫困人口的高中生。DRITA的总体目标是为有前途的非裔美国人或西班牙裔青年提供机会(1)培养扎实的信息技术技能；(2)获得必要的背景和鼓励，使他们能够在STEM领域接受高等教育，包括IT本身和其他需要先进IT知识的领域。在三年的时间里，总共将招收96名学生。每位DRITA参与者将获得500小时的基于项目的内容。该项目包括学年模块和一个主要的夏季组件。交付组件将包括基本的IT技能导向；动画、虚拟环境建模、高级网络、编程、GIS、机器人和游戏设计等领域的内容课程；校外实习期;专业会议/贸易展“模拟”，以及大学/职业咨询。家长参与是该计划的一个组成部分，包括家长向参与者学习的机会，联合大学访问，大学录取过程中的信息会议和个人协助。

This proposal, the "Dan River Information Technology Academy (DRITA)," is a request for a three-year program for high school students from underserved populations who are interested in pursuing IT or STEM careers. The overall goal of DRITA is to provide opportunities for promising African American or Hispanic youth to (1) develop solid Information Technology skills and (2) acquire the background and encouragement needed to enable them to pursue higher education in STEM fields, including IT itself and other fields in which advanced IT knowledge is needed. A total of 96 students will be recruited over the course of the three years. Each DRITA participant will receive 500 hours of project-based content. The project includes both school-year modules and a major summer component. Delivery components will include a basic IT skills orientation; content courses in areas such as animation, virtual environment modeling, advanced networking, programming, GIS, robotics, and gaming design; externships; a professional conference/trade show "simulation," and college/career counseling. Parent involvement is an integral part of the program and includes opportunities for parents to learn from participants, joint college visits, and information sessions and individual assistance in the college admission process.