Summer Camp Builds Computer Skills and Beyond

A Hands-On Learning Experience for Middle School Students

Building a personal computer from scratch is an exciting and educational experience, especially for middle school students. This unique opportunity was made possible through the PC Creation Station program at Montgomery County Community College (MCCC). The program, supported by a generous $30,000 grant from the Justamere Foundation, allowed 21 students in grades 5 through 8 to build their own computers while gaining valuable skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The camp provided a weeklong immersive experience, covering all costs including computers, instructors, transportation, and meals. “We sincerely appreciate the Justamere Foundation’s grant, which enabled us to offer this valuable program to students,” said Rosann Bar, MCCC Dean of Academic Innovation. “The camp supports the College’s commitment to fostering educational pathways by engaging students in STEM projects that spark their curiosity and passion for learning.”

Building Skills and Confidence

Shannon Harley, MCCC Youth Engagement Program Manager, emphasized the importance of the program. “This is a great opportunity for students not only to learn new skills while building a PC, but also to keep and use the computers they assembled.” Having their own PC helps enhance computer literacy, support schoolwork, and provide access to digital learning tools at home.

The camp took place from July 7 to 11 at MCCC’s Pottstown Campus and welcomed students from two local programs, ACLAMO and STRIVE. Each day, from 9:00 AM to noon, students worked under the guidance of instructors Andy Bachman and his son Ryan Bachman. MCCC student workers Matthew Holland and Loujain Ahmed, along with an assistant from ACLAMO, helped the students throughout the week.

Enrichment Activities and Real-World Experiences

In the afternoons, the program offered STEM enrichment activities, giving students a broader view of science and technology. These included a simulated space mission at the Challenger Learning Center, interactive discovery programming, a guest lecture from Cristian Ferradas Alva, a Research Scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, and even drone soccer, where students learned to fly drones while playing the game.

Each computer kit included essential components such as a monitor, keyboard, mouse, tower, memory and gaming cards, Wi-Fi connector, and Windows operating system. Beyond the equipment, the students gained valuable skills and a sense of accomplishment.

Student Reactions and Personal Growth

Riley, 14, shared her experience: “I now know how to properly use a screwdriver. The hardest part was putting in the hard drive, but I felt very proud when it was all done.” She also mentioned making a new friend during the camp.

Anthony, 11, was excited about having a computer he built himself. “It was really cool. I felt relieved and happy that it worked. I’m going to use it to play games and do my schoolwork.”

Peyton, 11, echoed similar sentiments. “It was a fun learning experience. The hardest part was putting it together, so it worked.” Lorelei, 12, who plans to use her new PC to create animations for her YouTube channel, said, “You had to be very careful assembling the parts of the motherboard. It was fun but tricky, but the teachers helped us.”

Julia, 11, added, “It felt good to build all this using a screwdriver. I was very happy it worked without any adjustments. I’ll use it to play games, watch YouTube, and do math problems. I love math.”

Experienced Instructors and Support

To ensure a smooth experience, the Bachmans assembled a prototype PC ahead of time, so they were familiar with the step-by-step instructions for the campers. Their combined experience made a powerful impact on the students.

Andy Bachman, who taught engineering at Pottstown High School for nine years and currently teaches MCCC’s Montco 360 program, noted the students’ maturity and engagement. “The students showed a lot of maturity in their attitude. The process involved lots of instruction and tedious tasks, but they stayed with it for three to three and a half hours a day.”

Ryan Bachman, who recently graduated from Shippensburg University and will begin teaching 7th-grade science this fall, added, “For many of them, it was the first time they held a tool in their hands. That was like a secondary curriculum within the program.”

A Lasting Impact

Thanks to the generosity of the Justamere Foundation and the dedication of the instructors and assistants, the students left the camp with more than just a PC—they left with renewed confidence in their abilities and a deeper interest in STEM education.

Montgomery County Community College has been transforming lives and communities for 60 years, offering a comprehensive curriculum that includes over 100 associate degree and certificate programs, as well as customized workforce training and certifications. Students can learn at the College’s thriving campuses in Blue Bell and Pottstown, or online.