OpenWorld Learning is an independent 501c3 nonprofit organization that supports children's school success by tapping the power of digital technology and peer teaching to ignite a love of learning and leadership. Since our inception in 2000, we have served more than 2,500 students through innovative programs which utilize school computer labs that would otherwise sit locked and empty during after-school and summer hours.

Using interactive technology developed at MIT, our programs help children invent, engineer, create and design through fun and challenging, project-based learning. OpenWorld Learning is committed to bridging the digital divide and developing a community of energized learners.

A hallmark of our model is the concept of "Student Leaders", volunteers promoted from within our students who exemplify a love of learning, creativity, hard work and a passion for helping others. These leaders serve as learning resources for their peers, embodying the proven outcomes of peer-learning methodologies consistently demonstrated across educational situations. In this way, we strive to make learning relevant and fun while also equipping students with transferable life skills essential to long term success.

OpenWorld Learning currently serves students through three distinct programs:

OpenWorld Learning's curriculum and results have received widespread praise from independent sources in education, community and business. This is reflected by highly acclaimed formal honors, including:

• 2007 - Excellence in Education Award by Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• 2007 - One of the 50 Most Innovative Technology Companies in the State of Colorado by CSIA - the network and voice of Colorado's information technology community
• 2004 - Colorado Community Technology Program of the Year by Jared Polis Foundation

Thanks to the generous support of individual donors, foundations, and corporate philanthropy, OpenWorld Learning plans to serve greatest number of students in our agency's history during the 2008-2009 school year!

Since our inception we have proudly served more than 2,500 students, and we expanded our operations in 2007 from 9 to 15 distinct site locations. We proudly provided more than 93,000 program contact hours to participating students last year - our most in any one-year duration. With this growth, we're able to extend our valuable service to more than 900 learners and leaders in the upcoming year.

By igniting a love of learning, OpenWorld Learning is finding impressive and measurable achievements amongst our students. Survey data from parents reveal 56% report an increase in their child's confidence through involvement in our programs while 45% report their children improve their homework effort and completion as an outcome of program participation. Moreover, a positive correlation has been demonstrated between CSAP scores and participation in OpenWorld Learning. Future analyses will study the longitudinal impact of OpenWorld Learning on such rubrics as Academic Engagement, Leadership, Social-Emotional, Love of Learning, and Parent Involvement.