For 15 years AZ StRUT has offered in-person Techie Camps to Arizona students and adults. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, AZ StRUT knew the camp had to go virtual. Together with our partner Gen Tech, the curriculum was revised to make it available in an on-line environment. But how could the camp keep its original hands-on learning and teamwork focus?
Introducing: Computer Build, a virtual learning experience with hands-on materials. In this virtual class, students didn’t sit in front of the zoom screen watching the instructor. All 143 students in Washington School District were loaned a desktop computer without power cords to keep at home for the hands-on class.
“My favorite part was taking the computer apart. At first, I couldn’t even get the case off. I never opened a computer before. It was kind of scary,” said 12-year-old Mariel. “Now I know how to add more memory and make my computer faster.”
“I held up the optical drive and showed it to my older brother. That was so cool," added Amelia.
One parent shared, “My 10-year-old daughter took her computer apart and put it back together on her own many times. She showed our family all the parts from the computer on Thanksgiving Day. She was so excited.”
At the end of the 10-week Computer Build class, each student was given a free, refurbished desktop computer by AZ StRUT. Future engineer Uriel expressed the students’ excitement when he looked at his computer with wide eyes, “I can take this home to keep?”
Other students asked, “This is for me to have? Forever?”
Yes. All 143 students each earned their own refurbished desktop computer along with their new tech hardware skills.
“I’m going to build my own computer next,” shouted Jakob as he ran to his car carrying his Dell i5 refurbished desktop.
His father, Kory, added, “This generation needs this kind of class. This has been amazing. I can’t believe they each got a computer. Thank you. “
Special thank you to GenTech staff; Debbie, Oliver, Joseph & Michael!
AZ StRUT Staff pictured above left to right: Tom, Maryanna, Eugene, Jonathan, Anabele, Dustin, William and Ed.
While we are hustling and bustling with end of year activities, AZ StRUT would like to pause and thank some of the most important people central to our success - our staff and Board of Directors. We are inspired by your dedication to responsible e-waste recycling and improved
technology education all over Arizona. You are each part of the working engine and heart of AZ StRUT.
A note from one of our school recipients
The impact of The Covid-19 pandemic has hit many school districts hard. As a rural school district, we value the technology we have; unfortunately, we have always struggled to provide adequate amounts of devices for our student and teachers. The opportunity to collaborate with AZ StRUT has helped us immensely. Over the past couple of months, the members of
AZ StRUT have supported the Nadaburg Unified School District in providing devices to support our students and staff learning and teaching remotely online as well as students that have chosen to come back to the classroom. I can attest that without the support of AZ StRUT, the opportunities to teach and learn would be much more difficult.
Thank you, Maryanna, Tom and Team; you have made a world of difference!
John Asimakopoulos
Director of Information Technology
Nadaburg Unified School District No. 81
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