Comcast donates $105K for 3D printers at 3 Philly rec centers

Comcast announced Wednesday a $105,000 donation that will allow kids at three rec centers to play with 3D printers.
The contribution will allow the Department of Parks & Recreation’s Public Access Computing Center program to purchase education software and support staff for the devices, which will be made available at the Kingsessing, Starr Garden and Tustin Recreation Centers.
Washington Avenue makerspace NextFab will also pitch in to the cause, with the donation of training for operators and technical support for the machines.
“On behalf of the City and its hundreds of thousands of residents who face challenges getting online, I sincerely thank Comcast for this donation,” said Mayor Jim Kenney during the announcement of the donation at the Kingsessing Rec Center. “The more kids and adults we can teach digital skills and new technology, the better positioned Philadelphia will be to create the economy of the future — a future of makers, designers and innovators.”

Comm'r Ott Lovell checks out 3D printers, part of a $105k donation from @comcast to PPR computing labs pic.twitter.com/0zcjrRwRgi

— Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (@PhilaParkandRec) May 11, 2016

In addition to the machines, Comcast will provide educational software from Edmentum, Inc., which interfaces with software used by the Philadelphia School District and the Center for Literacy, giving students and staff a seamless experience.
Also covered in the donation is funding for specialized staff support for the public access computing center donated by Philadelphia-born actor and comedian Kevin Hart in 2013.
“The computer labs at recreation centers are a vital link in bridging the digital divide,” said Sharon Powell, Comcast’s senior director of government affairs. “By teaching basic digital literacy skills and then showing the full spectrum of what is made possible through technology, we make the internet relevant to people’s everyday lives.”