Workshop: Thinkpads 4 All

Thinkpads4All is a volunteer organization that encourages all ages to learn about how laptops work through free hands-on workshops. When we saw one of their events advertised at a local library, we reached out and asked if they would host a workshop for our group - despite their busy schedule, they agreed and we were excited to start planning.  

We were able to find a space to host our event, thanks to Redwood Baptist Church. For signups, we suggested families to consider this for older students (middle school and up), though Thinkpads4All accommodates mixed aged groups from children to seniors.  

On the day of the workshop, the ThinkPads4All volunteers arrived with a cart full of Thinkpads with their batteries removed. After wiping down, each participant was given a laptop, a screwdriver and maps showing the location of screws and cables in the laptop. 

The first part of the workshop consisted in disassembly. The screw maps came in useful here - as we removed each screw, we would place it on the photo at its location. This part was unnerving for parents (can we really apply force here?), while the students took to it fearlessly. The volunteers circled around the room, giving tips when we were stuck.

At this point, the volunteers gave us a short talk about the components on the motherboard, and answering questions. They also pointed out how easy it was to upgrade the laptop by upgrading or adding components. This was also a good chance to ask questions. 

The next step was challenging: re-assembling the laptop from the explosion of parts. Although the diagrams helped, there were tricky parts such as pushing the wifi cable into crevices without getting in the way of the case hinges. Again, students were particularly adept at this, both in visual memory and fine motor skills to maneuver in tiny spaces when screwing back the covers. 

The workshop took two hours, and everyone was satisfied. Students new to teardowns felt more confident in exploring laptops; those who had prior experience had the opportunity to discuss with the volunteers. So it was an amazing learning experience for all - we highly recommend the organization and would like to thank them for their time.  

For those who would like to practice more (or are unable to attend their workshops - seats go fast), there are step by step tutorials such as iFixit's replacement guides and YouTube videos like the following. Perhaps this could be a new hobby for your homeschooler!