Computer Guts

Developer/Instructor: Mark Bizokas Computer Guts is a class I have offered monthly at the East Columbia branch for a year. Students are given a computer and a hard drive and instructed to replace the existing hard drive with the spare. No other instructions are given, though the attached paper is distributed and briefly discussed as students enter. Once completed (10-15 minutes), the group is instructed to then take the computer apart as much as possible while still being able to restore it to working condition by the end of class. Systems are tested at the end of class to determine which groups were successful.

Need:
The activity: 1. Instills self-confidence 2. Teaches students the components of a computer and their purpose 3. Promotes teamwork

Community Partners Necessary: None. All resources exist in-house.

Setup: For a class with 25 registered students (+-20 likely to attend), 12 tables should be set up in the meeting room with ample area for students to work at each table. Place one CPU and one hard drive on each table. Depending on systems to be used, a Phillip's head screwdriver may be necessary.

Evaluate: Instructor will make necessary corrections on the spot and consider making changes permanent. Nobody will fill out surveys.

Fits into Mission: Education is HCLS's primary focus. Computer Guts is an educational, esteem building activity conducted in a collaborative environment.

Press Release
The following description was written by the professional PR department at HCLS and printed in our source catalog, posted on-line, tweeted, and posted on the HCL Teen Facebook page: *Computer Guts
Discover what's inside a computer! Students open computers then change hard drives, power supplies, and motherboards to restore them to their former Windows 2000 operating system glory. Ages 11-17.