SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS – The two‑part, hands‑on technology workshop hosted by Springfield.community on December 5‑6, 2025 was a resounding triumph. Teens ages 14‑17 assembled at Make-It Springfield, rolled up their sleeves, and built their very own desktop gaming computers from the ground up.
“The success of this workshop was nothing short of massive,” said Springfield.community President Erica Rachel Andrews. “Our students walked away with fully functional PCs, a toolbox of hardware skills, and a newfound confidence that will serve them for a lifetime. Programs like this are essential in a city that has faced economic hardship for too long – they create pathways to digital equity and real‑world careers.”
Andrews added, “As a small nonprofit that refurbishes donated computers for families in need, we are passing along the very PC‑building and repair skills that launched our organization. I was lucky to get my first experience building computers early on as a teenager thanks to an elective PC build and repair class at summer camp. By teaching teens the same processes, we are multiplying the impact of our work and empowering the next generation of tech leaders in Western Massachusetts.”
The workshop, funded in part by a grant from the Springfield Rotary Club and the Massachusetts Cultural Council, also provided free dinner and tools like screwdriver sets and anti static wrist straps, for continued innovation.
Visit https://springfield.community to learn more about Springfield.community or make a donation. For details of the event, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/build-your-own-pc-tickets-1680535469829