Pathway(s) Addressed:

Industry Engineering Technology
Business

Submitted by: Cheryl Bobo
(adapted from Alaska Women in Science & Technology)

Date:6/1/00

Age(s):11-14

Recommended: Teacher Directed

Time frame: 2-45 minute classes

Alaska State Content Standards:

English/Language Arts

A. A student should be able to speak and write well for a variety of purposes and audiences.

A student who meets the content standard should:
1. apply elements of effective writing and speaking; these elements include ideas, organization, vocabulary, sentence structure, and personal style;


Technology
A. A student should be able to operate technology-based tools.

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Overview: Students are introduced to the components of the computer. They will diagram the components and label them.

Objectives: Introduce the components of a computer and relate this to a computer technician career.

Resources/Materials:
Hardware manual for the computer
Computer that kids can open
Local computer expert to assist in answering questions (Our high school students that are in the CISCO training program are a great resource. )

The Gauge the Geek Game
Test your computer knowledge and skills.
http://spokane.webpoint.com/computer/geekquiz.htm

Vocabulary:
Daughter board, mother board, hard drive, floppy drive, memory chips, main processor, monitor,

Classroom Setting: The number of computers you have for the kids to explore and disassemble will drive the size and number of the groups. One large group is too difficult for all to see the components.

Activities:
1. Make sure the computer is turned off. Do not touch the boards inside the computer. This can destroy them. After consulting the hardware manual for your computer, the teacher or computer expert removes the case.

2. Demonststrate how to change the memory chips, if you are knowledgeable in this area.

3. Use the manual to locate and name the components discussing the function of the parts.

a. the mother board (also called the main body)
b. the main processor chip
c. the hard drive (also called the fixed disk)
d. the power supply
e. the floppy drive, if one is available
f. the memory chips

4. Make a diagram of the computer and clearly label the parts you have discussed.

5. Put the case back on the computer.

6. Write thank you letters to experts or helpers.

Community Connections: Local experts or helpers share their expertise in the classroom.

Assessment: Printable student handout-The diagram of the computer needs to have components drawn and labeled correctly and clearly.