NEWS RELEASE

April 22, 2025

In a two-day hands-on Digital Opportunity Lab taking place from April 24 – 25, 2025, students at Hot Wells Middle School will learn how the internet infrastructure is built, maintained and reaches our homes. Today’s fastest-growing careers are tech-driven, from healthcare to telecommunications to aerospace. But in large areas of San Antonio, fewer than 1% of adults work in computer-related fields. San Antonio ISD’s Hot Wells Middle School is working to open college pathways to STEM fields for its students. 

“Every student deserves the tools, access and inspiration to thrive in our connected world. Students come to this space not just with curiosity, but with a deep understanding of their communities’ needs and a drive to create change,” said IDRA President and CEO Celina Moreno. “By honoring their lived experiences, we help fuel a future shaped by their vision, leadership, and commitment to digital justice.”

The April 24-25 event at the Hot Wells MS Library located at 400 Hot Wells Blvd., will serve students who are in the Intercultural Development Resource Association (IDRA) VisionCoders and IDRA Youth Leadership Now programs. They will:

? Learn how the internet works, from broadband infrastructure to Wi-Fi signals,
? Explore the digital divide and how access (or lack thereof) affects communities,
? Conduct hands-on wireless technology experiments,
? Engage with digital equity leaders and professionals in the field, and
? Reflect on their role as future leaders in creating a more connected and fairer digital world.

The Digital Opportunity Lab is presented by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance’s Community Broadband Networks Initiative, in collaboration with local partners committed to bridging the digital divide and inspiring the next generation of tech changemakers.

The media is invited on Thursday, April 24, for photo opportunities between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. At 10 a.m., students will learn “How the Internet Works;” at 11 a.m. they will experience the “Fiber Optic Theater;” and at 1 p.m. they will have a “Wireless Network Hands-On” experience.

To celebrate the students’ achievements in the closing ceremony, each will receive a Digital Navigator certificate, a designation that highlights their role as emerging leaders who can help others access the Internet, obtain connectivity and navigate digital tools.

The IDRA VisionCoders and IDRA Youth Leadership Now programs position students as STEM and academic leaders on campus and empower them with the skills, knowledge and confidence to lead in technology and advocacy. Through these programs students are already building their capacity to advocate for their communities and futures, and the Digital Opportunity Lab will further support that journey.