MHS class plugs students into computer-tech careers

If the primary role of high school is to prepare students for the future along multiple career paths, the 24PinTech class at Maricopa High School is succeeding.

Part of the Career & Technical Education program and run by teacher Brad Chamberlain, the class teaches students about networking, computer maintenance, other tech services and gives them hands-on experience repairing devices. 24PinTech provides tech support for the entire CTE network at MHS — and at times the rest of the school and district — and is fully student-run.

24PinTech started as a club about 10 years ago with a small group of students and has grown to 30 students today. They are among the 110 students in the tech program, with about 80 kids learning the basics of computer maintenance and 18 in Chamberlain’s advanced networking course. Just three of his students are girls.

‘JUST ABSOLUTELY CRAZY’
24PinTech came from humble beginnings.

Chamberlain, a 12-year resident of Maricopa Meadows, was teaching computer maintenance and had several students who wanted to continue in that area rather than move into networking, the next step in the CTE curriculum.

“I sat them in a room and asked them how we could teach the class and what they wanted to learn,” Chamberlain recalled. “That’s where it started, and over the years it has just grown and grown, and what it has turned into now is just absolutely crazy.”

The fruits of that initial session are still being borne. After students wrote a business plan and came up with the 24PinTech name, which derives from the adapters that connect many tech devices, the club took off.

Today, students come into the tech program as freshmen or sophomores, taking a basic computer maintenance course. In just the first year, they learn how to take a computer apart, put it back together, install operating systems, fix laptops and mobile devices, and determine the security history of a device.

Chamberlain said if students do well in the entry-level class and prepare properly, they will be ready to take the Comp TIA+ test, a PC tech certification of professional-level skills. Passing the test means students become certified computer technicians.

And that leads to the next step — entry into 24PinTech, which is now a credited class at MHS.

“It functions as both a class and a club,” Chamberlain said. “If you’re in Computer Maintenance 2-3 you’re basically automatically a member of 24PinTech.”

Some kids who can’t get into the class can join the club, which allows Chamberlain to get to know them and ultimately try to get them into the class.

STUDENT-RUN BUSINESS
The students also work for real customers — kind of.

“We primarily do work for the schools and the district, but parents and others hear about us, and we’ll do things for them as well,” Chamberlain said.

Customers pay only for components — no labor fee is charged. 24PinTech advises customers what parts are needed for a repair and where to buy them. Since it is a student-run business, clients sign a waiver protecting the group should anything go awry — but Chamberlain said that is rare.

Students seek to educate customers with a clear and simple assessment of the repair and how the device works. He and the students have developed their own work-order system and website, and students even punch in and out when working on a project to track their time.

But as much as Chamberlain has done for the program and its apprentices, he turns the credit right back to the students.

“The kids have built all of this,” he said. “And we really get to see it morph and grow from year to year. It’s becoming a multi-generational type of thing. The group from one year leaves their mark and the kids coming in have to pick up and carry it forward. They’ve done a really good job with it. Some of them I have to slow down, they work so hard.”

They didn’t do it alone. Chamberlain raves about the MUSD administration and how it has “been terrific about working with us and helping us grow and supporting our needs.” He said MUSD technology director Christine Dickinson has been particularly helpful and supportive.

But Chamberlain is really the glue that holds the program together. MUSD superintendent Dr. Tracey Lopeman recognizes his role and the juice he gives 24PinTech.

“He’s such a champion for giving these kids the experiences that set them apart from their peers around the state and, really, around the country,” Lopeman said. “He’s fantastic. There are high expectations in these CTE programs, and he’s providing relevant experience and that’s kind of the key to the whole thing, and it’s exciting.”

 

INFLUENCING FUTURE CAREERS
24PinTech is a labor of love for the students, many of whom credit the program for helping them identify a career path.

Lorena Casto, a senior in her third year in the program, has been around computers her whole life, a product of her father’s interest in technology. Her focus has changed over time.

“When I was younger, I was really more into coding,” Casto said. “As I got older and the school offered the IT program, that’s what I joined, and I’ve enjoyed that a lot. But I’ve realized that I don’t want to go to school for networking and that I’m more into the physical and hardware stuff, the actual repairs. So, as of right now, I plan to go to school for computer systems engineering.”

Senior Ashton Owen said 24PinTech has had a huge influence on his future.
“I already had a love for computers when I got into high school,” he said. “24PinTech was the way for me to go. I came in here and saw the program and said this is what I’m going to start doing. This has influenced what I want to do with my future more than anything else has.”

Classmate Charles Liermann has directed his energies toward competitions — and a military career.

“I was always into video games,” he said. “I built my own computer when I was 14 in middle school. I found out the high school had IT class and it sounded awesome.”
Liermann, who has been volunteering in the district’s IT department for three years, was awarded “Gold” level at the nationwide Skills USA info tech competition. He also placed first in Arizona and competed at nationals. He entered the Cyber Patriot security program competition run by the U.S. Air Force, a competition for high schools and colleges to develop cybersecurity products, and now hopes to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs next year.

Chamberlain’s goals are to help students learn a trade and create career options for them. The program is achieving that — and then some.

“We’re getting fabulous results,” Chamberlain said. “24PinTech has done really great. We’re pushing 150 students who have been professionally certified. We’ve had multiple award winners at the local, state and national levels of IT competition. And the kids are enjoying it.”

It is obvious students get value from interacting with Chamberlain — and not just from his technical knowledge. Junior Georgia Nickens, a first-year 24PinTech student, spoke about an even stronger bond.

“I see him as my second dad almost,” she said. “He’s really cool. He’s very supportive of what we do, and he helps us out a lot with what we want to do.”
There is room for everyone in the 24PinTech tent.

“I get all kinds in here,” Chamberlain said. “I tell everybody, it doesn’t matter what your level is, you have something to offer. Let’s find out what that is.”

This story was first published in the September edition of InMaricopa magazine.