Electric Youth

Kids will have a chance Saturday to learn how a TV, VCR remote, Game Boy or computer keyboard works during a workshop offered through Valley College’s community-services program.

Eddie Villanueva, an electronics instructor for the Los Angeles Community College District, conducts the two-session workshop at the Valley Glen campus. The classes are held on consecutive Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon for youths ages 8-15.

Last Saturday, Villanueva supervised youngsters as they assembled a kit for switching on decorative lighting for a home.

“They don’t expect that they’re going to learn the science of electronics, but I like to teach the theory and they appreciate what they [have] learned after they build these kits,” Villanueva said.

Sometimes youths bring devices from home. “They have little broken radios or headsets, and we fix them,” Villanueva said. “I also show them how VCRs work and the most dangerous parts they should stay away from and better take to a repair shop.”

All the students in last week’s class were repeat enrollees from Villanueva’s workshop last month. The students said they intended to sign up for another round on Saturday.

“My mother told me about this class and I said, ‘Sure!’ ” said Geraldo Moreno, 10, of North Hollywood. “Now I’m going to help her at work after my school lets out.”

He said his mother makes electronic “slates,” or the modern version of a camera operator’s clapper board.

“The part I like is making the kits work,” said Kevin Nunez, 11, of Valley Glen. “It’s really fun and we’re still just beginning.”

He said he was looking forward to Saturday’s workshop, in which students will assemble a burglar alarm from scratch.

Villanueva said he plans to use a laser device and various types of meters to illustrate electronics theory.

“I teach them the color codes on resistors and that in the real world you test them to see if they measure up to specifications.”

Villanueva said similar workshops will be offered at College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, Pierce College in Woodland Hills and Mission College in Sylmar through the end of the month.

BE THERE

“Electronics for Kids” on Saturday and March 17 from 9 a.m.-noon, Room 114, Life Sciences Building, Valley College, 5800 Fulton Ave., Valley Glen. $30 fee plus $12 for materials. Call (818) 947-2577, Ext. 4172.