{"id":116728,"date":"2026-03-09T10:48:59","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T13:48:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tech.einnews.com\/article\/898286977"},"modified":"2026-03-09T10:48:59","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T13:48:59","slug":"camp-byoc-teaches-stem-through-computer-technology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/2026\/03\/09\/camp-byoc-teaches-stem-through-computer-technology\/","title":{"rendered":"Camp BYOC teaches STEM through computer technology"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s not just what people might see at face value when it comes to technology. After all, it\u2019s not just sitting behind a computer screen coding all the time. It\u2019s also about creativity to realize that there are other ways of doing a task.<\/p>\n

At least, that\u2019s what David Fowler, 24, began understanding after participating in Camp BYOC back in 2014.<\/p>\n

He participated in the inaugural Camp BYOC summer camp. BYOC, or build your own computer, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit offering camps and clubs put together by Robin Walker. She worked in Corporate IT for more than 30 years. <\/p>\n

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A student manipulates a robot. Photo Submitted | Camp BYOC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Walker started the computer building camp in 2014, showing anyone who was interested how to build a computer. The camp, located 1 Sheakley Way in Cincinnati, is helping develop interest in technology, and showing children what is possible in a STEM career.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought it was a unique way to teach tech because it\u2019s something that most organizations are not really doing,\u201d Walker said.<\/p>\n

For David, attending the camp allowed him to see others like him excelling in a technological world.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe went to Silicon Valley twice,\u201d he said of the inaugural summer camp. \u201cWe went to Google, and we got to tour Facebook.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another student, Arielle Barnes, attended two tours of Silicon Valley tech companies. She said touring places like Microsoft changed her perspective on what her career could be as well. She was able to meet and network with engineers and other STEM leaders and was able to land an internship in Silicon Valley her freshman year.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just the power of networking and being able to communicate with the engineers, with recruiters,\u201d she said. \u201cI think that was very important.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fowler said he had always been good at math and science, but it was not until the Silicon Valley Tours that he changed his perception of what a career in technology and STEM could be.<\/p>\n

Students works on building a computer. Submitted Photo | Camp BYOC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cWe went to tour these companies, and they had shown us a lot of people of color or people who said that they never thought they would be where they are,\u201d David said, thinking back 12 years. \u201cSo it was something that showed me that I could also do it.\u201d<\/p>\n