With countless Chromebooks in use across our schools—New Brunswick Middle School in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and Joseph H. Brensinger P.S. 17 in Jersey City, New Jersey—minor tech issues like broken keyboards, cracked screens, and software malfunctions became a common challenge. Our campus technicians were overwhelmed by these Tier 1 repair demands, and outside repairs took time and resources. Looking for a more sustainable and cost-effective solution for Chromebook repairs, our schools’ leadership teams envisioned a bold solution: empower students to take the lead.
Our student tech teams were equipped with professional-grade toolkits, electric screwdrivers, and a set of nonfunctioning Chromebooks for training. As Verizon Innovative Learning Schools coaches, we immersed ourselves in repair tutorials and a CTL Chromebook repair webinar to better understand the process.
At New Brunswick Middle School, we secured a dedicated classroom space during our WIN period (homeroom), transforming it into a hands-on repair lab. The student tech team split into groups and received a challenge: we provided a broken Chromebook to each group and students were given full autonomy to find a solution—using any resources available—to replace an LCD screen.
What followed was a powerful display of student agency. With curiosity, collaboration, and confidence, students navigated the repair process independently. Not only did they restore devices, but they also discovered their own capacity to lead, learn, and contribute meaningfully to their school community. This experience wasn’t just about fixing devices—it was about fostering deeper learning. When students are empowered to take ownership, they don’t just complete tasks; they build real-world skills and mindsets that fuel long-term growth.
Today, our student tech teams operate like an in-house repair hub, tackling Tier 1 support issues such as keyboard repairs and replacements, screen repairs and replacements, battery swaps, powerwashing for software troubleshooting, and motherboard replacements. Our student-powered, in-house systems are transforming turnaround times; what once took days or weeks is now resolved the same day—keeping students connected to learning without skipping a beat, and thus ensuring consistent access and sustainable technology integration, a key component of digital transformation.
Recognizing the long-term sustainability and ownership this model fosters, school and district administration have been both supportive and inspired by this initiative, which has reduced repair backlogs, extended device life, and most importantly, shown what’s possible when students are entrusted with real responsibility. By putting tools and trust in students’ hands, we’re not only extending the life of devices, but also building a future where students are future-ready problem-solvers who have the confidence and competence to lead in a tech-driven world.
What started as a small initiative has now become an integral part of our technology sustainability plans. Students not only fix devices but also document repairs for tracking purposes, train new student tech team members to ensure continuity, and educate peers and teachers on basic troubleshooting.
Moreover, at Joseph H. Brensinger P.S. 17, the Eagle Tech Team explores and collaborates to implement new hardware and software, gaining hands-on experience that directly supports both teachers and peers. Through this work, students take the lead in learning and sharing technology tools, building confidence and ownership. Their efforts extend beyond tech support—they actively partner with local organizations like the Educational Arts Team to design and lead creative initiatives, including graphic design projects that strengthen social-emotional learning and showcase student voice in powerful, authentic ways.
The success of our student tech teams opens doors for future career pathways in IT and engineering, as well as trade schools. As the team grows, we envision partnerships with local businesses for internships, advanced hardware and software training, and expanding student tech team programs to other schools within our district.
As technology becomes even more embedded in education, empowering students with hands-on skills is not just beneficial—it’s essential!
Interested in launching a student tech team at your school? Here’s how:
