SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The AT&T ‘Cuse Youth Digital Ambassador Program held its third annual graduation ceremony on Friday.

50 third, fourth and fifth graders celebrated their accomplishment. This week, the students engaged in programming aimed at teaching critical digital literacy skills, online safety, interest in emerging technology and how to use social tech for good.

Specifically, a few of the things they did were build Legos with motorized parts, code and learned about cybersecurity.

Tech4Kidz, in partnership with Syracuse University, and AT&T, came together for the program. It’s part of AT&T’s commitment to address the digital divide, which is the gap in internet accessibility, affordability and safe adoption.

Founder of Tech4Kidz Pamela Puri said it’s important that students get comfortable with technology. She said they need to have a positive attitude about technology at a young age and hopes they get into courses regarding computer science.

“It’s a little challenging in the beginning,” said Puri. “They’re used to playing video games, but now we’re showing them how to make their own. But you can see very quickly that they’re grasping ideas.”

AT&T said it’s committing $5 billion to help 25 million people get and stay connected to the internet by 2030. The company estimated that 11% of homes in New York State do not have access to the internet.

Puri noted that Lego robotics was a favorite of the students.

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