Twenty middle school students who don't have computers at home are about to be tapped to learn the machines inside and out. Once they've graduated from this class, the computers and accessories are theirs to keep.

It's the Tubby's Clubhouse/Dell TechKnow program, and the Cliff Hagan Boys & Girls Club is collaborating with several Owensboro groups to choose the first Owensboro class in February.

And it's all free.

"We're targeting families that may not have the financial means to own a computer," said Steve Winkler, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club. "And we're collaborating with Owensboro Public Schools to establish the program at Owensboro Middle School."

Students chosen for the program must have parents who will attend an orientation session, Winkler said.

The children also must be eligible for free/reduced lunch, have no computer at home, have at least a C average and good school attendance.

Sharon Westerfield, the computer instructor at OMS, has been hired as the program instructor. She will be providing 40 hours of hands-on learning.

Students will learn how to take a computer apart, put it back together, install software and learn how to use it.

When students graduate, they take their computer home and receive a Lexmark printer and speakers, one year of free Internet access from either BellSouth or AOL and a six-month maintenance contract.

The program is an outreach of the Tubby Smith Foundation and Dell Computer's Dell TechKnow program. It will become the fifth program in the state -- with three in Lexington and one set to begin in northern Kentucky, Winkler said.

Smith, the University of Kentucky men's basketball coach, routinely attends graduations.

"We're hoping he will get to make it to this one," Winkler said. "During graduation, students will make a presentation and tell what they've learned."

Owensboro Public Schools officials praised the collaboration. "It's a very impressive program," board member John Blaney said. "I think the graduation rate is 90 percent plus."

"It's a big plus to have this at our school," said Brad Stanley, assistant superintendent of support services. "The students can ride the after-school buses that are already in place."

The program will attract 20 children each semester -- with 120 students served over three years, Winkler said.

The Owensboro school system has signed a one-year contract so far, Stanley said.

Ten students will come from the Boys & Girls Club, six from the city schools, and two each from Girls Inc. and the H.L. Neblett Community Center.

"This is a great way to collaborate with a lot of agencies, and it fills a niche in The Learning Community that involves families and civic groups," Winkler said.

The Learning Community is a group working to get the Owensboro community interested in learning for life.

"Terry Woodward, who is very involved in the community and is a big supporter of Boys & Girls Clubs, introduced us to this program," Winkler said.

Woodward is owner and president of WaxWorks, Inc. He could not be reached for comment.

"We think this will build their self-esteem, enhance their technology education and help them to be like every other kid," Winkler said. " ... Their families also will be able to use the computers."