What We Do
IT Project Support For Schools
Computer Workshops
Teaching and Tech Mentorship
IT Project Support For Schools
Calling IT Directors at Bay Area schools!
Computer Building Workshops
After designing and building over a dozen PCs when I was younger and finding joy in it, I decided to share my knowledge by creating and hosting computer-building workshops for Bay Area middle schoolers.
Through these hands-on workshops, students learn about computer hardware, including the importance of each component, how they interact, and the steps involved in building a functional computer system. They gain experience assembling parts, troubleshooting challenges, and collaborating to build a working computer as a team.
Workshops are free and no prior computer experience is required. In leiu of a charging of workshop fee to cover costs, we invite participant families to consider making a modest donation to StreetCode Academy to support its programming to foster a more inclusive and diverse tech-savvy generation.
About StreetCode Academy
StreetCode Academy is a East Palo Alto-based nonprofit empowering underserved youth through tech education. Its mission is to equip young people with the skills and resources needed to thrive in the digital age, fostering a more inclusive and tech-savvy generation. You can learn more or donate here.
I love seeing my students develop greater confidence with computers and a deeper understanding of how PCs work. I hope to spark their curiosity and inspire a lifelong love of learning about technology. Some of my more enthusiastic former students have even gone on to build their own computers from scratch.
- Beckett
Computer Building Workshops
Sample 2-Hour Curriculum
I. Computer Components
Introduction to the essential components of a computer system:
- Central Processing Unit (CPU)
- Motherboard
- Random Access Memory (RAM)
- Solid State Drive (SSD)
- Video Card/Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
- Power Supply Unit (PSU)
- Computer Case
II. Computer Assembly
Step 1: “The Brain”
- Focus on assembling the CPU and motherboard.
- Discuss their roles and importance in the system.
Part B: “The Skeleton” | Case Setup
- Guidance on installing the motherboard into the computer case.
- Discussion of case layout, cable management, and securing components.
Part C: "The Fuel" | Power Supply + Cables
- Connecting necessary cables between the motherboard, CPU, and other components.
- Installation of the power supply unit and its connection to the motherboard and other components.
III. System Booting and BIOS
- Introduction to the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) and its functions.
- Demonstration of the computer's initial boot sequence and BIOS settings.
- Debrief lesson learned + celebrate!
I'm now experimenting with tailoring versions of my computer workshops for new audiences beyond middle schoolers, including seniors as a continuing education activity. If you or someone you know might like to host or participate in a computer-building workshop in the San Francisco Bay Area, please drop me a note below.
Teaching & Mentorship
In addition to teaching, I love sharing my expertise and mentoring others on topics I'm passionate about, including building PCs and a wide variety of computer science topics. At school, I serve as a teaching assistant for my high school's Computer Science II Data Structures and Algorithms course and enjoy one-on-one mentoring with new computer science students.
Team
Beckett
Sarah
Everleigh
Allan
Sierra Bear
Founder's Story
Early one morning during the COVID work-from-home, my mom opened her desk drawer and was surprised to find a PC computer inside. "Beckett!!" she yelled, tired and exasperated (as can happen when she doesn't have her morning coffee). Late the night before, I built this first "drawer PC" for fun out of spare computer parts I had collected, curious how long it would take me to build a small PC inside a drawer. Besides cutting out the backside of the drawer to allow for air circulation so the computer wouldn't overheat, which my mom wasn't thrilled with, it didn't take too long. The next day, I moved on to find another new opportunity to design and build computers.
From a young age, I remember always loving computers. I started trying my hand at building them starting when I was 11 and in 5th grade. My friend, Raj, and I would work straight through multiple nights, troubleshooting our creations until we finally got the computers to work.
Which they did. Well, most of the time.
When COVID hit in 2020, I had already started helping design custom computers for various budgets for my friends and family. Like so many of my "digital native" generation, I quickly became IT support #1 for each of my grandparents, extended family, neighbors and some of my teachers at school. I'd lose track of time fixing, building, and tinkering with computers and other technology.
In middle school, I started volunteering on weekends at a school in East Palo Alto called Eastside Preperatory School, which does ... Eastside Prep's Director of Technology, Anne Carpenter, would give me all types of technology projects because she knew I liked to built and fix things. One weekend I'd repair broken Chromebooks for students. Another weekend I'd set up all the A/V equipment in the school's theater. There were enough miscellaneous other IT projects that I started to bring a buddy along, which, naturally, doubled our progress while doubling the fun.
It was on those Saturdays in East Palo Alto repairing and helping one tech projects that it really hit me: while I'm young, my technology skills can actually be of help and value to others – even here in Silicon Valley, the heart of technology. Looking back, I was grateful to have discovered (thanks, Anne) and created such meaningful community engagement activities that I genuinely enjoyed while also learning how my various technology skills - and those of my equally tech-savvy peers - can be of value to others and serve, at least to a modest degree, to help bridge Silicon Valley's digital divide.
Hi, I'm Beckett.
My passion is technology – teaching it, troubleshooting it, and helping others with it.
