The TelecomPioneers Board of Directors has approved plans to move forward with preliminary development of "Project Connect" – a technology-related project geared toward children in 4^th through 7^th grade.

Project Connect is a series of six web-based interactive games. The Board-approved developmental phase involves the creation of the first two games in the series. Should the two prototypes gain approval of the Board, game developers would move ahead to complete the remaining four games in the learning series.

"Through the launch of Project Connect, TelecomPioneers will be taking a leadership role in addressing the emerging need for explorative learning through technology," said Jim Gadd, Chief Executive Officer of TelecomPioneers. "We will be a leader in reducing the gap between the promise and the reality of technology being used for educational purposes in schools."

Developers plan to have the first prototype ready for testing by April 15. The model for the second game is planned for a June 1 release. The first game is an e-mail model that teaches children how data is routed through the Internet. The second game teaches lessons in data compression. We estimate the cost to be $2 per student for the entire six-game package.

Through Project Connect, Pioneers and technology partner Digitalmill strive to combine the enjoyment of playing a game with a targeted educational lesson. In addition, Pioneers would be releasing a technology-related learning tool that is a positive reflection of the global reach, history and advancement of the telecom industry.

All of the games would be designed to address the educational needs of children while aligning with approved math, science and technology standards. Students would access games via a customizable web interface through which they would be able to log in, play the games, read background/history information and answer surveys.

Research gathered from experts in the "gaming" industry indicates games and game-like situations provide children a more experiential, and strategic form of learning that would not be readily achievable through books, film, lectures or other types of learning. With these games students will be able to play, experiment, and interact with principals of science.

"Although the program is based in technology, Pioneers will not be required to have a technical background to deliver it," Gadd noted. "Volunteers will be provided all of the training and support materials they need to comfortably present this program.

"And as anyone who has witnessed children playing technical games can attest, the children are very comfortable with such games. Today’s student plays at a much more accelerated pace. They just jump right in and start playing."

Additional game topics being considered beyond the initial two include: a submarine cable game that would teach how cable ships and GPS technology work; a satellite launch game in which students would be the launch commander and guide a satellite properly into orbit and then bring it online for use in communications; a puzzle that challenges students to develop cellular phone service to cover a region; and finally, a game that teaches the fundamentals of how fiber optics work.