Project Pathfinder

A program to improve technology among Richardson Independent School District

to focus on STEM fields.

Derek Hui, Kyler Short, Yvonne Martinez,

(BCOM 3310-009, Team 7)

Table of Contents
The Problem
Obstacles
The Solution
Junior High School
High School
Budget
Brief History of Dell
Summary
Team Members

The Problem
STEM fields are composed of jobs focused on science, technology, engineering, and/or
math. These are some of the fastest-growing areas in the market, and include many of the
highest-paying career paths. In fact, it estimated that by 2025, there will be more jobs in these
fields than every other field combined. The main issue Dell has recognized is the difficulty
students from low-income families face in entering these fields. A variety of factors prevent
interested students from realizing their goals.

Obstacles
The vast majority of STEM workers are middle- to upper-class men. The reasons for this
disparity begin at a young age, and become more and more entrenched over time. Lower-income
children tend to avoid these occupations due to a lack of opportunities, education, and interest.
Schools in poorer areas tend to employ less qualified teachers. They are not able to afford
experienced professionals and quality educational programs, resulting in low interest levels
towards these more difficult subjects. Furthermore, lack of funding means less access to
technology. Without advanced technology (graphic calculators, computers, etc.), students have
minimal ways to actively learn about STEM subjects. Even if they are interested and motivated,
without the proper tools, low-income Americans will have to pursue other career choices.
These obstacles are even more pronounced after high school. Nearly all STEM fields
require at least a bachelors degree. Many also require a graduate school education. It is nearly
impossible for someone to become a doctor or programmer without first investing in secondary
education, but for many low-income Americans, college is simply out of the picture.
Exasperating the problem even further is the fact that STEM fields tend to have a higher tuition
cost than non-STEM fields. Even if low-income students are able to attend college, historically
they have dropped out or changed majors at a much higher rate than their more affluent
classmates.

The Solution
During Junior High
Dells first solution to help implement the idea of STEM fields is to update some of
Richardsons junior high school computer labs. The eight target schools are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Apollo Junior High

Forest Meadow Junior High
Lake Highlands Junior High
Liberty Junior High
Parkhill Junior High
Richardson North Junior High
Richardson West Junior High
Westwood Junior High

Junior high schools in this area do not have updated technology, which is essential to advance
interest in STEM subjects. Most assignments for college classes are transferring away from
paper copies and towards electronic records. By providing 50 computers and 25 tablets to each
school, Dell will encourage students to become technologically proficient and prepare them for
the near future, since for these students, college is only a few years away. These students will be
up to date and on a successful path towards the competing STEM fields.

Inspiron 20 3000 Series Touch

Venue Pro

During High School

Overview
Dell will take approximately 250 RISD students to Glen Lake Pathfinder Camp from July
3 - 8. While at camp, guest speakers from Dell will talk to the students about:
the importance of STEM
general career paths in Science, Tech, Engineering, and Math
These speakers will be from various departments at Dell, including Research &
Development, Programming, Engineering, Finance, etc. At the end of the camp, Dell will select
five seniors to receive a $20,000 scholarship.
Part 1 (Pre-camp)
Dell will send out RFIs to all sophomores, juniors, and seniors at Richardson ISD
schools. The forms will ask questions regarding the students:

Interests
Potential major area of study
Level of interest in STEM fields
Parent/guardian income
To qualify for the camp, the parents or guardians of the student must have a combined
income of less than $60,000 per year.
Students must return the RFIs by January 1, 2017 to give Dell time to process them. Dell
will pay for the camp before February 1, 2017 in order to obtain early bird pricing, which
reduces the price per student to $350, as opposed to the normal $375.
RISD will allow Dell to use their school busses to transport the students to and from Glen
Lake. The students will meet at their school at 8:00am, where they will be loaded onto a bus. The
busses will depart at 8:30am and should arrive at Glen Lake by 10:15am.

Part 2 (Camp)
Schedule:
Sun. 7/3

Mon. 7/4

Tue. 7/5

Wed. 7/6

Thur. 7/7

Fri. 7/8

Unpack and settle in rooms

(10am - 12pm)

Breakfast (8:30am
- 9:30am)

Breakfast (8:30am 9:30am)

Breakfast (8:30am
- 9:30am)

Breakfast (8:30am 9:30am)

Breakfast (8:30am 9:30am)

Lunch (12pm - 1pm)

Hiking (9:45am 11am)

Archery (10am 11:30am)

Canoeing (10am 11:45am)

Free time (9:30am 12pm)

Choice of activity
(9:30am - 11:30am)

Zip lining (1pm - 3pm)

Lunch (11:15am 12:30pm)

Lunch (12pm - 1pm)

Lunch (12:15pm 1:15pm)

Lunch (12pm 1pm)

Lunch (11:45am 12:45 pm)

Lecture about what stem is

and why its important
(3pm - 4:30pm)

Swim (1pm - 3pm)

Lecture Guest
Speakers (1:30pm 3:30pm)

Lecture/Videos
(1:30pm - 4pm)

Choice of activity
(1pm - 3pm)

Choice of activity
(12:45pm - 2:45pm)

Hiking (4:45pm - 5:45pm)

Lecture Career
Paths (4pm 5:45pm)

Zip lining (3:45pm 5pm)

Hiking (4:30pm 5:30pm)

Lecture Exploring
Career Paths
continued (3:30pm
- 5:30pm)

Scholarship/Raffle
(3pm - 3:30pm)

Dinner (6pm - 7pm)

Dinner (6pm 7pm)

Dinner (5:30pm 6:30pm)

Dinner (5:45pm 6:45pm)

Dinner (6pm 7pm)

Dinner (3:45pm 4:45pm)

Down time

Down time

Fishing (7pm 8:30pm)

Down time

Down time

Depart camp (5pm)

Part 3 (Scholarships and Departing from Camp)

Attached to the RFIs is a raffle ticket. Only seniors and their parent or guardian are able to
submit these tickets. Dell will choose five seniors to receive a $20,000 scholarships on the last
day of camp.
To qualify for the scholarship and camp, the student must meet the following requirements:
Parents/guardians have a combined income of $60,000 or less
Be entering his/her final year of high school
Be planning on studying a STEM-related field in college
When the camp is over, the students will depart from camp at 5:00pm, and should arrive back at
their school at 6:45pm.

Budget
Item

Amount

Unit Cost

Total Cost

Inspiron 20 3000 Series Touch

400
computers

$339*

$135,600

Venue Pro

200 tablets

$89*

$17,800

Pathfinder Camp

250 students

$350

$87,500

Scholarships

5 students

$20,000

$100,000

Total Cost

$340,900

Requested amount

$170,450

Corporate discounted price

History of Dell
Dell started with a vision, a drive, and stamina. It has grown globally and positively
affected many others by advancing technology. Dell currently interacts with billions and focuses
on truly engaging with the customer. Dell also strives to help the future generation by providing
college funding in the form of scholarships (such as the Dell Scholars Program).

The Dell Scholars Program provides its students with technology, a private scholar
networking community, resources, and mentoring, in order to ensure that they have the support
they need to achieve their college degrees.
The Dell Scholars Program places greater emphasis on a students determination to
succeed, rather than just academic record and test scores. We empower students to gain the
knowledge, skill-sets, and attitude needed to cope with their changing world and the
circumstances in which they live.

Summary

Recognize a growing need for low-income students to enter STEM fields

Provide RISD junior high students with computers and tablets
Host the Glen Lake Pathfinder Camp
Offer five scholarships (worth $20,000 each)

Project cost: $340,900

Asking for: $170,450
September 1, 2016: Distribute RFIs to RISD
January 1, 2017: RFIs due
February 1, 2017: Dell pays for the cost of Glen Lake Pathfinder Camp
July 3 - 8: Pathfinder Camp at Glen Lake

Team Members
Derek Hui problem, obstacles, editing
Kyler Short high school solution, summary
Yvonne Martinez junior high school solution, budget, history