Technology Education Collaborative (TEC)
We help people better understand the tech that surrounds them on a daily basis. TEC does this through practical application by hosting in-person, hands-on events ranging from Right to Repair workshops, Privacy meetups and tech field trips and demos.
Our agreement with the Advanced Cyber Systems Lab at GateWay Community College helps us give the general public hands-on access to advanced technologies from 3D printers to a podcasting studio people can use to learn, discover and play.
UPCOMING AUGUST 2025 TEC EVENTS
August 2025 TEC HAM Radio Study Group & Meetup
Our regular dedicated study sessions will be held at the Advanced Cyber Systems Lab, located at Gateway Community College on:
Wednesday, August 6 at 6 p.m.
Wednesday, August 20 at 6 p.m.
Directions and parking for the ACSL can be found here. This cohort is studing and preparing for the FCC's Amateur Radio Service Technician Class license exam.
You must register to receive the email that will have convenient links to all the study materials or notifications of schedule changes.
Missed the first session? No worries - just email [email protected] for the study materials in advance of the class you'll be attending.
August 2025 Hardware Happy Hour (3H) - Phoenix
It's time for the August Hardware Happy Hour (3H) Phoenix meetup at the Advanced Cyber Systems Lab!
📅 Thursday, August 14 at 7 p.m.
📍 Advanced Cyber Systems Lab at GateWay Community College (Washington Campus)
108 N. 40th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85034
The ACSL is located in Room 2108 of the MA building. Directions and parking map are here.
All skill levels welcome. This is a low-key social event, so no speakers, just socializing, snacking and tinkering.
If you have a hardware project you're working on, bring it!
If you have a project you're stuck on, bring it. There'll be some grade-A geeks there that may be able to help!
Just for the record, we talk a LOT about software too.
If you don't have a project, come and hang out anyway! Maybe you'll get inspired.
We'll supply (almost any) specialty tools and workspace you may need.
And yes, there will be food for participants. :)
Registration is NOT required (but it does help us make sure there's enough food and is appreciated).
Linux for Newcomers (August Edition)
📅 Wednesday, August 27 at 7 p.m.
📍 Advanced Cyber Systems Lab at GateWay Community College (Washington Campus)
108 N. 40th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Tired of Windows and Mac pushing unwanted changes on your Operating system? Want to have some privacy on your computer again? A great place to start is installing and trying out Linux.
While some tutorials are focused on developers and seasoned system analysts, this series focuses on how Linux can be the everyday OS. Join us as we walk through basic terminology and ease you into the operating system that puts YOU in control.
Our computers already have Linux installed so you just need to show up to get started!
SAVE THE DATE – SPECIAL EVENTS
TEC Ham Operators Study Group & Meetup - SURVIVAL EDITION!
Limited number of tickets are available for this event so please register early.
One of the most common reasons people become ham operators is to prepare for emergencies. TEC is teaming up with Independence Training to offer a Survival-Edition of our regular Ham Operators Study Group & Meetup session.
This is a special edition of TEC's regular Ham Radio Meetup. Only 10 tickets are available for this event so register today.
The first part of the meetup will be a short information session on when and how to use your ham radio in an emergency situation.
Independence Training will teach their Stop the Bleed course.
That includes two (2) Hours of hands-on instruction that will teach:
- Intro to Patient Assessment
- Bleeding Control Fundamentals
- Modern Bleeding Control Equipment
- Improvised Bleeding Control Concepts
All equipment is included.
Cost: $30 ($15 for TEC annual members and $25 for TEC monthly members).
CHECK OUT THE TEC TALKS PODCAST
NEW TEC TALKS EPISODE
Laura Ellington on Building Systems to Tomorrow’s Women Engineers
Laura Ellington has been a systems engineer since the 1970s. In this episode of TEC Talks, Laura discussed the challenges she faced when she started her career and what young women who aspire to be engineers today need to consider and focus on (spoiler alert: don't give up). This episodes builds upon the popular TEC blog featuring Laura that was published in August 2024. She currently teaches at Gateway Community College, is a coach for the Civil Air Patrol Sky Harbor Squadron and a TEC board member.
The TEC Article Club
The Therapist in the Machine: Chatbots take on the talking cure
An in-depth look at therapy chatbots, many that are now powered by AI. The author combines personal experience as a therapy user with excellent reporting and engaging writing, adding a far more intimate and personal look at this issue than many articles that have explored this now "old" AI topic. - CSE
Author: Jess McAllen
Date Published: November 2024
Publication: The Baffler
Long and Ugly Link:
https://thebaffler.com/salvos/the-therapist-in-the-machine-mcallen?src=longreads
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TEC is an Arizona 501(c)3 and all contributions are tax deductible.
We are a 501(c)3 Arizona nonprofit organization that is a public charity. You can view our Privacy Policy here. See our terms of service here.