Founded in 2000, OpenWorld Learning (OWL) is a nonprofit organization that offers in-school, after-school and summer technology programs for 3rd – 8th grade Title I students in the Denver-metro area. OWL’s programs provide students an equal opportunity to decrease the achievement gap by teaching Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects and leadership skills through projects and peer mentoring. OWL’s holistic, technology-focused programming addresses the need for increased STEM education and access to technology in the Denver-metro area, where many of OWL’s students have limited access to computers at school or at home.

Daliton is in 3rd grade. He was behind grade level in reading and struggled in OWL. Daliton complained that it was “too hard”, “too much typing” and it was “just more school.”

But as Daliton continued through our curriculum, his teachers noticed his pride as he completed projects. By spring break, Daliton was determined to complete the intermediate level of the curriculum and earn a laptop.

The last week of school, Daliton completed his intermediate level and was awaiting his laptop. He then shared that his mother was in night school and her laptop had been stolen from her car. He wanted to give her his laptop as a Mother’s day present. He had overcome so many obstacles, just so he could support his family.

OWL seeks volunteers to help in the office with fundraising by working on event planning, helping with digital marketing and video to help share its work and mission and by managing our database. OWL also seeks consistent volunteers to help teachers in the classroom. OWL has occasional events that require day-of volunteers. Reach out for more information or to see a program in action!

Suggested Donations

• A laptop for an at-risk student ($100.00)
• One week of summer camp for an at-risk student ($250.00)
• One year of technology afterschool program for one at-risk student ($1,000.00)

Funding Needs

All of OWL's programs are free to participants so that students can receive quality technology education who may not otherwise have access to it. OWL needs funding to pay teachers, who act as consistent mentors and role models to students, in addition to teaching them the skills they need for the 21st century workforce. OWL also requires funding for supplies for the students, and educational field trips for our summer camp programs.