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The LAMP April
9, 1998
Web masters — R — Us
Area students construct Web site in Cyber Kids class
by Andrew Gawrych
Lamp Contributing Writer
The information superhighway — That is the catch
phrase politicians, industry leaders and other public
figures like to use when talking about the growing
digital network linking computers, and subsequently
people, all around the world.
Unlike on real highways made of asphalt and concrete,
there is no minimum age or license one must carry to
drive — or surf as it is often referred to — on
the information superhighway. While an individual has to
be 16 years old to drive alone on the roads of Kansas,
children half that age are already navigating their way
around the electronic world.
In fact for the past several years, the average age of
individuals using the Internet has fallen as more and
more children grow up using computers.
To hop onto this ever-growing bandwagon, School-Age
Services on Fort Leavenworth wanted to construct a Web
page informing children about the local area as well as
teach students how to work on the Internet. The program
was dubbed Cyber Kids.
Interestingly enough, SAS turned to another student to
help achieve its goal. His name is Matt Sheffer —
the son of Maj. John and Betsy Sheffer. Maj. Sheffer is
currently a student at the Command and General Staff
College.
Stepping forward
Currently a junior at Leavenworth High School, Sheffer
describes himself as a “self-taught” computer
and Internet wizard. He is one of the growing number of
kids who grew up with computers. Sheffer learned the vast
majority of his knowledge in the field by simply
experimenting and playing on his own.
For example, Sheffer taught himself how to construct Web
pages while he built his own home page on the Internet.
It turned out, however, that it was only by pure
coincidence that Sheffer found out about SAS’s
desire to start the Cyber Kids program.
“I was at an SAT prep night at School-Age Services
when I overheard them talking about wanting to build a
Web page, but lacking an individual with the expertise to
do so. I decided to step forward and volunteer since I
have experience in that area,” he explained.
“They took my name and called me back the next day.
I was really pleased to be able to help out.”
While Sheffer was extremely happy to volunteer his time
teaching something he loves to do, SAS was equally happy
to have him start the program and the Web page.
“We had been interested in doing the class for
awhile, and we were fortunate to have Matt come
forward,” related SAS Coordinator Karen Lang.
“He had the experience and expertise we were looking
for. He was an especially nice fit because he is a youth
himself.”
Difficult, yet rewarding
The inaugural SAS Cyber Kids class was held Feb. 13 at
Harrold Youth Center. Fourteen students participated in
the six-week program, which ran until March 20. Their
main task was to construct the SAS Cyber Kids Web Page.
The purpose of the page was threefold: (1) To allow youth
moving to Fort Leavenworth to obtain an idea about the
area before they arrive. (2) To give local youth an
Internet site to find out about current events. (3) To
let parents keep a tab on the activities available to
their children.
This task proved to be no small feat.
“I had always wondered how Web pages were
made,” said 11-year-old Ricky Wilson. “Some
parts of it were really easy, and some parts were hard.
It took a lot of work to put the page together.”
Constructing the Web page certainly was a challenge for
the 14 students, but teaching them to do it was also a
test for Sheffer — a different test than the one he
had experienced when he first made his own home page.
“As for learning how to design Web pages, the
hardest part for me was learning what the codes stand
for. I have never done anything like that before, and it
was like learning a foreign language. The hardest part
about teaching it, on the other hand, was simplifying it
for the students. I was much older when I first learned
how to do what they had to learn,” he said.
Although building the Web page took substantial time and
effort, the students were rewarded with a newfound wealth
of knowledge. Many are even designing their own home
pages now.
“I learned a lot from the class,” stated
10-year-old Zach Burton. “I learned how to get into
Windows, how to handle and clean CDs, and what the
different parts of a computer are. I also learned the
basics behind making a Web page and surfing the
Internet.”
‘Work in progress’
Now that the inaugural Cyber Kids class has completed the
Web page, it will be up to the following classes to keep
the page up to date. They will be in charge of expanding
the page and adding new features.
“The Web page will always be a work in progress. We
plan on continually offering classes to keep the Web page
current and to teach more kids the basics of constructing
a Web page and working on the Internet,” said Lang.
In fact the next Cyber Kids class will begin April 16
and, like the first session, run for six weeks. In
addition to maintaining and updating the Web page,
Sheffer plans to teach the students the basics of how to
conduct research on the Internet.
SAS has also scheduled a Cyber Kids summer camp from June
29 to July 10 at the Youth Center. The students will meet
daily from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. The cost of the camp will
be $50. Registration begins May 4, but preliminary
information can be obtained by calling 684-5122.
Based on the enthusiastic endorsements the 14 students
gave the first Cyber Kids class, that summer camp will be
a fun-filled learning experience no child should miss.
“My parents signed me up for the class, but once I
came, I really enjoyed it and kept coming,” said
Burton. “It was a lot of fun, and I learned a lot.
I’m glad I came.”
Gray box:
The School-Age Services Cyber Kids Web Page is scheduled
to be up and running by April 20. To visit, simply log on
to: http://www.leavenworth-net.com/sas/index.htm
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