A honey badger tours a data center

The nonprofit 7x24 Exchange International recommends a children's story called What is a Data Center? It follows a honey badger named Honey getting a guided tour from a worker named Oliver.

Oliver explains the data center mission

Oliver tells Honey that data center employees ensure the functions supported by the data center are available to anybody, no matter what time it is.

“no matter what time it is”

Industry tries softer approach to PR

As pushback to massive data center build-outs and energy-guzzling campuses intensifies, the industry is taking a softer approach to community building using tactics other industries with public relations problems have tried.

Industries with image problems target schools

Alex Molnar, a research professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, says that for over a century, industries with an image problem, fast food, tobacco, oil and gas, have brought their messaging to schools.

Corporate propaganda in schools

Molnar says corporations get involved in schools for corporate propaganda, to tell their story rather than necessarily to sell a product.

“corporate propaganda, for the purpose not necessarily of selling a product, but of telling their 'story'”

Flag kits distributed in Virginia schools

In May, the Potomac chapter of AFCOM, a trade group for the data center industry, sponsored Memorial Day-themed flag-making kits to thirty-one hundred first graders across thirty-seven schools in Loudoun County, Virginia.

Kits included economic impact information

In addition to the flag kits, kids received an informational card with statistics about the positive impact that the data center industry has on the local economy.

International Data Center Day launched

Seven ex twenty four Exchange created International Data Center Day, designed to create awareness of the data center industry and inspire the next generation of talent.

Schools offered data center activities

For participating high schools, seven ex twenty four Exchange offers a celebratory crossword puzzle and information about data center training programs. For elementary schools, it offers data center-themed coloring pages and print-out activities.

Data center-themed books for young readers

Seven ex twenty four Exchange promotes several data center-themed books including one where two sisters visit a data center and meet a robot named JB, and another featuring two brothers who save the internet.

Field trips to data centers multiply

Since twenty twenty-five, at least eleven companies and industry groups have hosted student field trips to local data centers. Sabey, which runs seven US data centers, has hosted multiple trips for Washington-based high schoolers.

Amazon opens skills center to students

Amazon hosted a field trip in February at its Arlington, Virginia Skills Center, a free community space for anyone curious about cloud computing and future job possibilities.

Molnar questions the appeal to children

Alex Molnar asks why a third grader would be interested in a data center. You will see miles of boring servers generating enormous heat and noise, with not many people working there.

“Why would a third grader be interested in a data center?”

Public opposition to data centers grows

A Pew Research poll conducted over the summer found that about half of ten thousand Americans surveyed see data centers as mostly bad for the environment and quality of life.

Molnar warns against corporate influence

Molnar believes corporate influence in schools should not be allowed because children are in an absolutely powerless position and need protection from corporate messaging they cannot critically assess.

“in an absolutely powerless position”