Data Centers Have a New PR Plan: Your Kid’s Field Trip

Data centre companies and industry groups are increasingly using school visits, children’s books and classroom activities to present the sector positively and encourage young people to consider related careers. The outreach comes as opposition to large data centre developments grows, in part over their energy use, and echoes other industries’ efforts to shape how pupils understand their work.

Examples include a trade group distributing flag-making kits and industry information to 3,100 first graders at 37 schools in Virginia’s Data Center Alley. The nonprofit 7×24 Exchange promotes a children’s story, school activities and an annual awareness day, and has organised or visited at least six K–12 events this year. A review of public posts found at least 11 companies and industry groups had hosted student visits to data centres since 2025.