Project Spotlight
Tech to Treasure
Turning e-waste into educational tools and responsible recycling.
A Device's Second Chance
Millions of electronics are discarded each year, often without proper recycling, contributing to growing e‑waste and environmental harm. Tech to Treasure addresses this issue while inspiring the next generation of innovators.
What We Do
How It Works
Collection & EducationWe gather unused devices and transform them into educational tools through free, interactive workshops.
Hands‑On LearningStudents disassemble devices to learn about CPU, RAM, storage, circuit boards, cooling, and power systems.
Responsible RecyclingAfter sessions, remaining parts are responsibly recycled through e-waste channels with our recycling partners.
Environmental Bootcamp
6 Weeks. 10 Challenges. Real Impact.
Our Tech to Treasure Environmental Bootcamp brought students together to build real-world solutions for 10 environmental challenges, with mentorship and project support across six weeks.
Dive into the code and view all student projects on GitHub.
Workshops
Hands-On Tech Workshops
Free, hands-on sessions where kids touch real parts, see how things work, and hear instructors explain each component.
We've hosted several in-person workshops for local students, each built entirely around repurposed e-waste that's responsibly recycled afterward. Here's what each session looked like.
Past Event • March 1, 2026 • Fremont, CA
Patterson Ranch benches outside the red barn · 5298 Rancho Del Norte Dr, Fremont, CA 94555
Stations & Activities
Station 1: Desktop Computer
- RAM sticks (remove & insert)
- Hard drive / SSD
- Cooling fan & cables
- Expansion cards & motherboard
- Find the brain (CPU)
- Find memory vs. storage
- Trace a cable from power supply to part
- Spin fan — why cooling matters
Station 2: 3D Printer
- Stepper motors
- Belts and pulleys
- Metal rods & circuit board
- Connection & control cables
- Move print head by hand
- Follow wires from motors to circuit board
- Identify each motor's purpose
Station 3: Monitor
- Back casing & control buttons
- Circuit boards (main & button)
- Ribbon cables & ports
- Screen layers (light touch only)
- Display parts vs. control parts
- Ribbon cables vs. power wires
- Which sends signals? Which sends power?
Past Event • April 19, 2026 • Fremont, CA
5298 Rancho Del Norte Dr, Fremont, CA 94555
Stations & Activities
Station 1: Circuit Boards
- Solder points & traces
- Capacitors & resistors
- Chips & processors
- Connectors & headers
- Find the biggest chip — the board's brain
- Trace a path between two components
- Spot where power enters the board
- Reassemble the board you took apart
Station 2: Motors in Motion
- DC motors
- Gears & shafts
- Motor driver board
- Power & control leads
- Spin a motor by hand
- Reverse the leads to change direction
- Follow wires from motor to driver
- Identify what each motor moved
Station 3: Wi-Fi Routers & Modems
- Antennas
- Main circuit board
- Ethernet & phone ports
- Status LEDs
- Which ports carry internet in vs. out?
- Find the antenna connections
- Signal path vs. power path
- What does each blinking light mean?
Past Event • June 28, 2026 • Fremont, CA
5298 Rancho Del Norte Dr, Fremont, CA 94555
Stations & Activities
Station 1: Storage & Memory
- Hard drive (platters & head)
- SSD & flash chips
- RAM sticks
- SD cards & USB drives
- Memory vs. storage — what's the difference?
- Open a hard drive and find the platter
- How has storage shrunk over time?
- Which is faster, an HDD or an SSD?
Station 2: Inside a Chromebook
- Motherboard & CPU
- Battery & power board
- Keyboard & trackpad ribbons
- Display connector
- Find the brain (CPU)
- Trace power from battery to board
- Follow the ribbon cables
- Reassemble the layers in order
Station 3: Sensors & Embedded Systems
- Microcontroller board
- Temperature & light sensors
- Buttons & LEDs
- Connecting wires
- Which part is the 'computer' on this board?
- What does each sensor measure?
- Sort the parts: input vs. output
- Where would this chip be used in real life?
Workshop & Impact Photos
View full album
Get Involved
Parents and guardians can email us or join the mailing list for workshop updates. Discord is only for participants age 13 and older.