Things to Get

What materials do I need for the 4 required core courses of the Computer Support Technician (Level 1) Certificate of the Computer Support Specialist Program?
You will need some basic tools, an inexpensive multi-meter, and some alligator clips as shown in the picture. Note the prices may have changed.

Can I substitute other tools or tool kits?

Yes. The above kit is only a recommendation. If you already have some similar tools, you do not need to get a tool kit. The tool kit is also useful for the Arduino labs using the Arduino Fundamentals (starter) Lab kit. Particularly the needle nose pliers, screw drivers, multimeter, aligator clips, and the anti-static wrist strap.

The tool kit was also to be used for hands-on Personal Computer (PC) lab activities similar to the TestOut courseware lab simulation (LabSim) and for the used PC refurbishment projects for the 2nd Chance Computer Refurbishing ( https://2ndchancemodesto.org/ ) for those students who wished to participate. Because of the pandemic this has not been implimented. Of course, you can also use the tool kit with any computer, you might want to use, to replicate the simulated labs (LabSims) in the TestOut courseware. Typically this would be a used, older computer that is no longer used for important work.

Note: Do to supply chain issues the above tool kit (Rosewill Tool Kit RTK-045) may not be available. It is only a suggested example. The main tools you need are the needle nose pliers, screw drivers, multimeter, aligator clips, and the anti-static wrist strap.

Arduino Computer Learning Kit

This course uses an optional hands-on Arduino kit to learn about the principles of electronics, computer technology, and coding (software programming). You will be asked to complete a project each week using the kit. These projects will help you increase your knowledge of computer and Information Technology (IT) fundamentals and principles. You will be asked to record a short (3 minutes or less) video of your project to show at the weekly Zoom meeting.

You can buy the Arduino kit (K000007) directly from the Arduino Store (about $110):
https://store.arduino.cc/usa/arduino-starter-kit

or from Arrow Electronics (about $110 fast shipping with Credit Card or PayPal):
https://www.arrow.com/en/products/k000007/arduino-corporation

or from Jameco Electronics (about $110 fast shipping with Credit Card):
https://www.jameco.com/z/K000007-Arduino-The-Official-Arduino-Starter-Kit-Uno-R3-Included_2171188.html?CID=MERCH

The Arduino Fundamentals Certification proves your knowledge of basic electronics, programming and physical computing. It is earned by passing an online exam. See this for more information, or to buy the voucher ($30) and/or take the exam:
https://www.arduino.cc/education/certification

Arduino Certification Voucher Bundle (about $140) This version of the kit includes an exam voucher ($30 value) available from Arduino.cc
https://store.arduino.cc/usa/fundamentals-bundle

or from Amazon ($109.90) ASIN: B0892HYW37 (search for ASIN)

Where do I get the Arduino Fundamentals Certification voucher?
You can purchase the Arduino Fundamentals Certification voucher for about $30 from the Arduino organization online here:
https://www.arduino.cc/education/certification

What materials are supplied by the program ?
As part of the program we will service and recondition some used computers that will then be contributed to people who need them in the community. These surplus, but very usable computers are collected from companies and organizations in the Modesto area by the 2nd Chance Computer Foundation. These computers may be used in the 3rd, and 4th courses.. You will be able to pickup you computer from your instructor at the Tom Changon Education Center (depending on the pandemic situation). If you are not in the Modesto area you will need to get a used desktop computer, monitor and keyboard to use for some of the hands-on lab activities in the last 3 courses.

Note: Due to the pandemic, the reconditioned computer may not be available until normal operations are resumed.

The Resource Center is currently closed for now due to the pandemic.