Spring Branch ISD Featured News

 
 

Bill Dang, mentor to fifth-grader Isaias at Treasure Forest Elementary, recently gave his mentee some hands-on experience with computer hardware – and a bonus gift at the end.

The mentor and mentee, first matched in the Spring Branch ISD SpringBoard Mentor Program in Spring 2018, discovered they share an interest in computers. The mentor has built several computers and was able to verbally explain to his mentee the roles of major components inside a computer. 

To further ignite Isaias’ #Limitless Curiosity, one of SBISD’s core values, Dang asked the Treasure Forest Elementary mentor program and Communities in Schools Student Support Coordinator, Samantha Zamora, for permission to give his mentee the real experience of taking a computer apart and putting it back together.

Zamora was thrilled.

 

“Thank you for finding new ways to share your knowledge and experience with Isaias, as I know how much he enjoys your visits and all that you share with him,” said Zamora in her reply email to Dang.

 “This sounds like a great way to continue to connect on [your] mutual interests, inspire curiosity, and grow Isaias’ understanding in this area.”

On the day Dang brought in a used computer he guided Isaias through an orderly disassembly and assembly of the components inside the machine’s tower, providing gentle reminders of the functions of each part along with advice about how to remember which way to twist the screwdriver.

“Remember, righty tighty,” said Dang when the young learner was putting the fan back into place, using a mnemonic for the turning direction to tighten objects.

The quiet student paid close attention to his mentor and followed instructions to the letter as the parts were removed, cleaned, had new thermal paste applied to optimize performance, and ultimately put back together.

“The fan needs to be tight on the CPU,” explained Dang. “Do you know why?”

“To keep the processor cool,” replied Isaias.

Once the reassembled computer was booted up, Dang showed the mentee how to check on the internal temperature, and cautioned that it should not go over 100 degrees, otherwise the machine would protect itself and either slow or shut down.

They also checked the amount of RAM available on the machine. Dang show Isiais there is 8 GB available. “That’s enough for gaming, but not streaming which takes a lot more power,” he said.

 

The duo worked together to set up Isaias’ Microsoft accounts on the computer because at the end of the session, the fifth-grader was given the computer to take home to supplement the one laptop previously shared by Isaias’ family.

When asked how he was going to get the large container of computer components (tower, keyboard, monitor, wires, etc.) home, the delighted Isaias said, “I already asked my friend to help me carry things.”

SBISD joins the celebration of National Mentoring Month in January and is grateful for the hundreds of mentors across the district who are making connections and positive impressions each week with their mentees. The presence of a caring adult in the life of a young person is a foundational component needed by youth to grow up to be successful and good citizens.

If you are interested in becoming a mentor to a student on the wait list, please contact the SBISD Community Relations office at 713-251-2468 or go to the mentoring website to learn more about the opportunity.

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By Becky Wuerth, SBISD Communications