By Terence Lee, May 19, 2018
Bhavna Narula (Blach Principal), Kevin Gao (EqOpTech President), Terence Lee (EqOpTech Founder) - Left to Right
EqOpTech, a Los Altos 501(C)(3) student-run nonprofit, promotes and enables equal opportunity free access to technology for computer learning and STEM education for students in need.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY FOR EDUCATION AND STEM LEARNING
EqOpTech partners with Blach Junior High School to launch a laptop drive to benefit students in need. All donated laptops are refurbished and deployed to students who do not have easy access to online educational content.
The 21st century project-based learning is the future of education. Technology is deeply integrated into project-based learning; students are expected to learn and leverage technology tools, from online research, collaboration using google hangouts or google docs to shooting video, iMovies for TED talks.
Likewise, teachers use tools like Edmodo, Membean and other Google tools to foster collaboration and student engagement. This collaborative environment aims at sharpening student's research and analytical skills as well as teamwork and project management experience expected of them in the real world. For this reason, it is essential that students have access to laptops both in class and at home.
BRIDGING THE DIGITAL EDUCATION DIVIDE
The traditional classroom now transforms into a virtual classroom that extends learning beyond the physical classroom. This poses a learning challenge for students who do not have laptops at home. Not only are these students unable to access online research at home, but they also cannot collaborate real-time with classmates to prepare for classroom discussion. Overtime, students without laptop will be lagging behind their peers, learning at a slower pace.
To bridge the gap for students who do not have laptops at home, Lee, Gao, and their tech team, student volunteers, including LAHS National Honor Society work tirelessly in various Refurbish Workshops to repair, upgrade and install necessary software on all donated laptops. The EqOpTech technical team taught students basic PC refurbishing skills (Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromium) such as removal of personal data, restore to factory settings, install drivers, maintenance; operating system & software installation, partition hard drive and dual boot, upgrade and repair; and security etc.
LAPTOP HOME USAGE PROGRAM AT LOCAL SCHOOLS
EqOpTech is seeking functioning laptops (Windows & Mac) with appropriate power adapters on an ongoing basis. Each laptop will be refurbished to its full functionality with operating system and removal of all personal data prior to redeployment.
"Our goal is to promote equal opportunity learning through technology tools," according to Terence Lee, CEO and Founder of EqOpTech. "All donated laptops will be refurbished and redeployed to kids who do not have easy access to Google Drive and other cloud-based applications."
This project is funded in part by a community grant award from Los Altos Community Foundation, thank you LACF!
A BIG THANK YOU
The EqOpTech team would like to express its sincere gratitude to the donors, silicon valley tech companies, Principal Bhavna Narula, Ms. Alice Lee, LAHS Teacher Sra. Rodriguex, Principal Wynn Satterwhite, Los Altos School District, Los Altos Town Crier, Nextdoor Community for their support.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TECHNOLOGY
About EqOpTech Inc.
Founded in May 2016, EqOpTech is a 501(c)(3) IRS-designated tax exempt nonprofit organization managed by students. EqOpTech promotes and enables equal opportunity free access to technology for computer learning and STEM education in under-served communities.
Our Equal Opportunity Technology program is made possible thanks to Los Altos Community Foundation community grant award.
Visit here for more information.