On October 26, fifteen students and one faculty member from Green Tech High Charter School were joined by CIO/OFT staff on a field trip to the IBM Poughkeepsie Green Data Center. The students toured the Green Data Center and participated in a discussion about the energy – saving technology used within the Center. During the tour, students learned about mobile measurement technology, thermal monitoring, and IBM’s new Smarter Planet initiatives.

CIO/OFT staff and Green Tech High chaperone with IBM executives at the IBM Poughkeepsie Green Data Center.

“CIO/OFT is thrilled to work with Green Tech High to introduce students to real world facilities and technologies that they will someday work in,” said Dr. Melodie Mayberry Stewart. “Contextual learning is critically important for students to successfully translate classroom experiences into higher education and career opportunities.”

David Gelardi, IBM Vice President of Systems Technology Group Sales Support and Education said, "We were pleased to host the young men of Green Tech High in conjunction with the NYS CIO/OFT at our campus in Poughkeepsie. We are always looking to educate students on technology as well as the overall skills needed to be productive workers and leaders in the years ahead. It was a great day and we look forward to continuing our long standing partnership with the NYS CIO/OFT.”

Green Tech High Charter School provides a high quality, college-prep education with extensive instruction on several academic topics, including a program that emphasizes environmental awareness and high-technology.

The trip was one of three organized by CIO/OFT and Green Tech High to expose students to technology development and real world application production and deployments. Previous trips included visiting Bell Labs in New Jersey and CIO/OFT’s own Technology Academy and Telecom Center where students saw everyday applications of technologies they are learning about.

Green Tech High students and CIO/OFT staff with IBM Green Data Center executives.

CIO/OFT Deputy CIO Sharon Cates - Williams discussed the days learnings with the Green Tech High students on their way from the IBM Green Data Center.