The Creative School empowers high school students with PC building workshop

In an ever-evolving digital landscape, opportunities for accelerated learning and development are at a record high, but these pathways don’t come without barriers – and for novel game developers, video editors and 3D artists, the initial hardware costs can pose significant challenges to those breaking into the industry. 

To combat some of these associated upfront costs, The Creative School’s Red Bull Gaming Hub, in partnership with the Just BGRAPHIC, the Toronto District School Board, AMD, and Canada Computers, hosted an innovative PC Building Workshop for high school students aimed at teaching them the basics of computer mechanics. The workshop not only taught each student how to build a computer from the ground up but to their surprise, they also were able to take home the computers they built.

The PC Building workshop, held at The Creative School’s Red Bull Gaming Hub, brought together 12 high school students for a hands-on experience in building their own personal computers. Throughout the workshop, students received guidance and support from experts in the field, including Dr. Kristopher Alexander, Director of the Red Bull Gaming Hub and video game and esports professor alongside the Red Bull Gaming Hub manager, Geoffrey Lachapelle.

Igniting a passion for technology

With a focus on developing in-demand skills, the workshop was designed to bridge the gap between education and practical skills and allowed students to delve into the world of PC building — an essential skill set in today's technology-driven society. Beyond the technical aspects, the workshop aimed to foster creativity and self-expression, aligning with The Creative School's commitment to providing a diverse and enriching educational experience.

“This workshop was an opportunity to introduce students to the world of Information and Technology (IT) and help them gain critical learning skills in a field that has seen exponential growth in the last decade,” remarked Lachapelle, Manager of the Red Bull Gaming Hub. 

The thrilling revelation that awaited the unsuspecting students was that they not only left the workshop with newfound knowledge and skills but also with the very computers they built during the program. The announcement was met with excitement and gratitude from the students, as they realized the tangible results of their hard work and dedication.

“IT is one of the most in-demand job sectors in the world, and developing their skills will have a huge impact on their potential future professional opportunities, irrespective of what field of employment they’re interested in,” stated Lachapelle.

Weighing exponential power against prohibitive costs

Modern computing technology is leaps and bounds ahead of its analog predecessors, but the exponential power that these computers boast comes with a hefty price tag. With personal computers potentially costing thousands of dollars, the upfront costs of owning these technologies pose a significant barrier to entry for many students and budding computer aficionados. 

“Ultimately, the ubiquity of tools like Unreal Engine has meant that there is an almost limitless demand for employees in this sector,” said Lachapelle. “However, Unreal Engine 5 and other related tools like Blender require relatively powerful PC tools and hardware.” 

These associated costs not only severely limit the ability of students to experiment with cutting-edge computing technologies but also restrict their ability to break into an expansive and lucrative industry, a barrier that the workshop was able to address successfully.

“By providing students with the hands-on opportunity to not only build but own their first PC, they will have the ability and skills to create monetization opportunities, create their own games, and potentially make money to supply further projects and computer upgrades.”

Empowering the next generation of changemakers

With a successful year in the books, the PC Building workshop provided a valuable opportunity for high school students to inspire their passion in a digital world while also emphasizing the importance of practical, hands-on experiences in shaping the next generation of creative minds.

“We have access to so many tools now that it is possible for everyone to include themselves in this industry,” says Dr. Alexander. “The trick is, there are only certain individuals who are willing to do the work to include themselves, these 12 students are a perfect example of those willing to do the work.” 

The Red Bull Gaming Hub and its partners see the workshop as a pilot program, with hopes of establishing a framework for creating more of these opportunities for students in the future, and as Dr. Alexander remarks, “these students will never forget that they built their own machines.”

The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University

The Creative School is a dynamic faculty that is making a difference in new, unexplored ways. Made up of Canada’s top professional schools and transdisciplinary hubs in media, communication, design and cultural industries, The Creative School offers students an unparalleled global experience in the heart of downtown Toronto.