---
title: 'Oregon technology startups and education: Being part of the solution'
date: '2008-04-08T08:10:34-07:00'
type: post
word_count: 333
char_count: 2148
tokens: 433
categories:
  - Education
  - Internship
  - mentorship
  - Oregon
  - Startups
  - Technology
tags:
  - Education
  - Internship
  - mentorship
  - Oregon
  - Startups
  - tech
  - Technology
---

# Oregon technology startups and education: Being part of the solution

A few weeks back, I wrote [a rant about the abysmal state of Oregon’s tech education](http://siliconflorist.com/2008/03/26/oregons-k-12-tech-education-sucks-a-geek-call-to-action/ "Oregon tech education sucks - a geek call to action") in which I encouraged anyone in tech—but especially those folks at startups—to consider his/her potential role in helping to resolve the issues currently plaguing our educational system.

Talk, as they say, is cheap.

So how can we act?

Well, admittedly, this is an awfully big problem, but to wax—and perhaps unintentionally slaughter—more platitudes, the journey of 1000 miles begins with one step.

And, I’m proud to say that we, as a burgeoning collective, have already taken two:

1. **[Oregon Tech & Education](http://groups.google.com/group/oregon-education--technology "Oregon Tech and Education Google Group")** is an online discussion group designed to gather interested parties, encourage discussion, and facilitate action. If you are at all interested in helping, participating, or just watching what’s happening. I encourage you to join. Even if you just lurk. And I encourage you to invite the teachers and administrators in your life to join, as well.
2. **[Silicon Florist internship/mentorship challenge](http://siliconflorist.com/2008/04/03/silicon-florist-internship-challenge/ "Silicon Florist internship mentorship")** is a call to all Silicon-Forest-based startups to consider offering a summer internship for high school or college students in your area. No one knows more about what you do than you. And teaching someone who knows nothing about what you do could be one of the most rewarding things you ever accomplish as an entrepreneur. If you’re interested—not even yet to the “willing to participate” phase, just interested—please throw your hat into the ring as one of the participating startups.

From time to time, I’ll keep you posted on these steps, and other steps that the resourceful folks of the Silicon Forest are taking to resolve this issue.

I’m looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish.