WiredWoods addresses multiple needs of at-risk youth and society.

1	Social Mobility

Economic mobility requires access to great jobs, and in the 21st century, the majority of great jobs will be technology-based. To obtain these jobs, applicants must possess technology capability beyond surfing and e-mail.

However, research shows that 50% of US high school graduates do not have the New Basic Skills to succeed in the 21st century economy including the ability to 1) communicate effectively verbally and in writing; 2) work effectively in teams; 3) solve problems using data; and 4) use technology as a tool.

"Using technology can change and advance your life. Access to technology is important, but the next step is to use technology to make a career. The IT workforce employs over 2.5 million people, which is greater than insurance, communications and utilities companies combined. Over 1.8 million new jobs will be created in the future. And while minority workers represent 25% of the total workforce, they represent only 7% of IT/computer jobs. Today's passport to success is digital literacy." -- Al Zollar, General Manager Lotus Software, IBM Software Group, 2002 speech honoring Black Technology Awareness Week. More technology employment facts

2	Improved literacy and math readiness

Educators relish every opportunity to reinforce basic literacy and math skills. At Citizen Schools, participants in the WiredWoods apprenticeship created a digital story – The Pyramid of Doom. [link to that finished product when we get it for you] While creating this web site, Teaching Fellow Rachel Orsinger found that students “1) scripted and wrote their own story, reinforcing basic literacy skills and 2) learned HTML coding whose logic reinforces pre-algebra skills. Many students found themselves writing extensively because they were having fun.” Academics wrapped in fun.

3	Lack of girls in science and technology

Low numbers of women are entering science, technology, math and engineering. Not only are girls–especially girls of color–missing out on an opportunity for satisfying, well-paid jobs, their untapped skills, talents and insights are a loss for the scientific field as a whole. Youth technology programs need to engage both girls and boys.

In its first three years of operations, 54% of the WiredWoods participants were female – a figure envied by many technology programs.