Three University graduates who met while working in UD's Technology In Early Childhood Program pooled their abilities two years ago and opened TECH Connections, now a nationally recognized educational technology center in Wilmington, Del., for children, families and teachers.

Owner/director Amy Gordon, CHEP '94, '95M, runs TECH Connections along with director of educational technology Dawn Alexander, CHEP '93, and director of software evaluation and application Bernadette Caruso Davis, CHEP '90, '95M.

Alexander says that, after working together and becoming close friends in the University's summer technology camp, the three decided to go into business for themselves.

"We realized a great need for teachers to learn more about technology," she says. "Many of the teachers we knew didn't know anything about software or how to fix glitches."

Davis, who goes into classrooms to instruct teachers in the basics and to make software recommendations, says that since the partners each spent time in the classroom, their company is different. "We have a unique strength to offer clients because of that experience," Davis says.

Gordon says she gets all the best parts of teaching without the hassles. She also says that TECH Connections is unlike other educational services. "Other places train. They have a structured curriculum," she says. "You can't learn that way. We teach. We assume nothing and start from the beginning."

Aside from giving teacher in-service courses and delivering consultations to numerous organizations, TECH Connections hosts several summer camps as well as birthday parties, where eager children dismantle outdated computers and make jewelry out of the old parts.

During the week-long camps, Gordon says, there's usually a theme, such as "Summer Fun." The kids have virtual vacations, make new e-mail friends, participate in an art activity and finish a summer keepsake project by the end of camp.

Judi Weinstein of Newark, Del., says she came across TECH Connections when her 5-year-old son, Alex, went to a birthday party there.

Weinstein was so impressed with the educational, yet fun, set-up that she organized a class trip to the learning center for her son's preschool. "They spent three hours there," she says. "It was very age-appropriate. The kids were read a story, then they did a project on the computer. They even printed out mittens that they designed."

Weinstein says her son has done everything at the center from making a mask and name tag out of computer disks that came in the mail to creating a Father's Day card and doing math and geography.

"There's no bickering or fighting [when lessons are going on]. It's all quiet," Weinstein notes. "It's incredible to watch the kids cooperate. One kid will say they need help and another kid will come right over."

Alexander, who was a master teacher at the computer camps as well as a designer of software courses for teachers, says she believes there needs to be a greater focus on young kids, especially those who are not well-off financially.

"We need to get computers and know-how in the hands of poorer kids," she says. "They need the technology [so they can function better at school]. "

"I've never worked harder, but I've never been happier," Gordon says.

"Seeing the business hum along and finally come to fruition has been really exciting," Davis says.

Alexander, who also is a full-time teacher of 4- and 5-year-olds with special needs in Delaware's Colonial School District, shares a favorite memory. "We used to sit in the preschool camp and eat peanut butter from containers. We were working from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and had lots of good bonding experiences."