Technet's Educational Programs

Technet has always had a strong commitment to education in the state. Technet distributes new and rebuilt computers for donation to schools across the state and in Mexico through its Computer Reruns program. In addition, Technet is a primary sponsor of the New Mexico High School Supercomputing Challenge.

AiS Challenge for New Mexico high school students

The AiS Challenge (formerly the New Mexico High School Supercomputing Challenge) program was the first statewide program of its type in the country. This program challenges teams of students to solve original scientific problems using the most powerful computers in the world across the New Mexico Technet network. It is a cooperative program between Technet and its many partners including Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, the University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New Mexico Tech, and several private corporations. The program teaches students computational science and the use of the scientific process to solve problems. Teams of students compete for scholarships, equipment and academic recognition. To date over 5,000 students have participated in the program. Many of the winning teams have gone on to win other science competitions and have copyright written their work.

Computer Reruns: Surplus Computers for Schools Program

Since 1995, New Mexico Technet's Computer Reruns program has rebuilt computers donated by companies, organizations, government agencies and individuals, and placed them in schools and non-profit organizations statewide.

In partnership with Intel Corporation, Technet has expanded its pool of contributors of surplus computing equipment significantly. With a Technet staff member as a supervisor, a talent pool of high school and college students rebuilds as many useful computers as possible from the donations for distribution to schools and community service organizations all over the state. This is one of our most successful and demanding programs. Intel remains our most generous and active partner in the program.

Educational Partnerships

New Mexico Technet routinely partners with other educational organizations in support of grant applications and services benefiting a wide variety of people in New Mexico. We are currently partnering with and/or supporting the following activities:

  • OII - Online Internet Institute and OII New Mexico - providing assistance in their teacher training programs;
  • RETA - Regional Educational Technology Assistance Program - providing connectivity assistance in their educational training;
  • Connect New Mexico - supporting efforts to provide more accessible Internet services in rural New Mexico;
  • Network New Mexico - assisting in efforts to put more equipment and local area networks into schools;
  • CHECS - The New Mexico Council for Higher Education Computing and Communication Services; supporting the network provided to higher educational institutions in New Mexico;
  • NSF - National Science Foundation - is supporting grants to various higher educational institutions in New Mexico;
  • Technology Literacy Challenge Grants - supporting grants from the State Department of Education to various school districts;
  • NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration Grant Programs - assist in a program at New Mexico Highlands University and the Navajo Community College (Diné College) to enhance technology in schools and libraries serving minority students;
  • The Golden Apple Foundation of New Mexico - computer assistance in their programs recognizing outstanding New Mexico teachers by awarding sabbatical training in classroom technology uses;
  • Cisco's Virtual Schoolhouse Award program - assist in connecting schools with external networks including the Internet;
  • CES - Cooperative Educational Services - assist in connectivity training for teachers statewide using their magic technology mobile bus classroom;
  • ASPIN - Arizona School Public Information Network - assistance in connecting schools and training teachers on the Navajo reservation.
  • New Mexico Telecommunications and Call Center Consortium - filling educational gaps in rural New Mexico by providing technology based training in hard to reach areas of the state.
  • New Mexico Telecom Alliance - working to bring telecom infrastructure to rural New Mexico.
  • New Mexico Community College Action Team - working to expand the delivery of technology based career education to rural New Mexico.