THS team refurbishes computers, donates them to families and students in need

A team of three entrepreneurial Thurston High School (THS) students have turned a pile of broken hardware into functioning computers and laptops for the school’s Family Resource Center. In just one year, the project called Tech Turnaround has refurbished and donated more than 20 computers to low-income families and McKinney-Vento seniors who will not have access to a computer upon graduation later this year.
 
The initiative, led by THS Computer Science Teacher Ben Barrett, was originally a project designed by his predecessor in 2023. The original plan was for CTE Computer Science students to build hardware skills by refurbishing donated equipment and then sell it for a small profit of $30-$50 to benefit the program. However, the project fell through and nothing happened for a couple of years. The equipment gathered dust in a corner of the THS Computer Lab.
 
When Barrett took the reins of the program on September 2025, one of the first things he assessed was the large pile of hardware, odd pieces and dead computers. Instead of throwing everything into the trash, Barrett formulated a new plan with the help of three advanced computer science students; seniors Ivy Wilson and Peter Gault, and sophomore Logan Turnbull.
 
“We examined the potential to sell $30-$50 computers and what market exist for such products,” said Barrett. “We reached the conclusion that those potential consumers needed their money for food and housing more, and that we could run the operation more like a non-profit business, where we instead seek donations to cover our expenses.”
 
The team agreed on the concept and almost immediately connected with THS Family Resource Education Assistant Heather Curtis. She immediately saw the benefits of the project.
 
“Ben came to me one day with the idea and asked me who I would give the computers to and I automatically knew it was the Mckinney-Vento seniors,” said Curtis. “These students who have either experienced homelessness with their families or are unaccompanied youth would benefit from a laptop as they leave their Chromebook behind after graduation. The expense of a new computer is too great for these students and it is so exciting to see what a gift this is to them!”
 
Right now, the team of students is working on refurbishing and donating 16 computers before end of the school year.
 
For senior Ivy Wilson, the Tech Turnaround project has been a deeply personal and valuable learning experience. She feels the project has allowed her to use her new technology skills to help people and remove barriers between people in need and costly technology.
 
“As someone who grew up in a low-income household and who always dreamed of having my own computer as a little girl, I feel ecstatic, proud of, and grateful for the opportunities me and my team are giving other families in need,” said Wilson. “In today’s online world, technology is a basic necessity that unfortunately, not everyone has access to. Being able to turn something broken into something useful for someone else is incredibly fulfilling.”

After graduation, Wilson hopes to attend Lane Community College and transfer to Oregon State University to study electrical and computer engineering. Senior Peter Gault also hopes to be admitted to Oregon State University and double major in computer science and psychology. He is interested in the neurological connection between those to fields. As for Logan Turnbull, although he still has a way to go, he hopes to join law enforcement after graduating THS and become a detective. The team of three si already looking for their replacements for the Tech Turnaround program.
 
Barrett hopes that Tech Turnaround will continue to grow in the next couple of years and is open to training any interested students—even if they do not have a background in computer science.
 
“This project is important because it represents a synergy of utilizing our technical skills and learning about microcomputer hardware, practicing small business skills of organization and communication, and doing good in the community and for the environment,” said Barrett.
 
Unfortunately, because of age and damage, not all equipment at hand at the THS Computer Lab can be refurbished. Some hardware and parts are now obsolete or not cost-effective to repair. When Barrett and his students identify such hardware or computers, they simply donate them to NextStep, a local e-waste facility. This last step ensures that the project has a true sustainability workflow. Students build skills upcycling and refurbishing computers, but when any piece of hardware is unusable, they make sure all electronics are recycled properly.
 
Because of SPS’ economic setbacks, the program cannot purchase many of the parts and upgrades they need to continue fixing computers. THS and Tech Turnaround welcome any help or donations from the community to continue the program. To make a contribution, contact THS Computer Science Teacher, Ben Barrett at ben.barrett@springfield.k12.or.us.
 
To learn more, visit Thurston High School’s CTE Computer Science Pathway page.

Pictured above are (from left to right): Logan Turnbull, Ivy Wilson, and Peter Gault, fixing a computer in their THS lab.