Geek Squad spreads technology at Sequoia Pathway

They made music and films, programmed robots, assembled circuits and learned 3D printing. Approximately 150 students participated in Best Buy’s Geek Squad Academy Wednesday and Thursday at Sequoia Pathway Academy.

Geek Squad Academy provides access to technology for under-served youth at a local level.

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“Boys and girls who normally wouldn’t have access to technology are given a chance through these camps,” said Dan Dolar, a director of the event at Sequoia Pathway.

The overall purpose of the academy is to prepare students for the future.

“There are jobs now that won’t exist by the time they get to the job market, and likewise there are jobs that don’t exist now that, by the time they do get to the job market, there will be some opportunity there,” Dolar said.

The camp is co-sponsored by Sequoia Schools, Edkey Inc. A large number of those participating this week were girls.

“Basically, Geek Squad started because we noticed there was a gap between girls and technology,” Dolar said.

The first camp started in 2007 at an all-girls school. Geek Squad later expanded to students with a socio-economic disadvantage, including homeless children. Recently it was specifically tailored for Sequoia School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

“If they didn’t like it before, give them a sample, and maybe they like it. If they are into it now and they do like it, maybe we can push them to be more studious,” Dolar said.