Two members of the MSU Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP) student chapter, Blake Heckman and Joseph King, volunteered to install new technology at the Summit Preparatory School campus.
The school reached out to Dr. Xiang Guo, AITP faculty advisor and Summit parent, for help with their network infrastructure.
He immediately offered his assistance to enhance the learning opportunities at Summit.
“This opportunity is exactly what AITP is trying to get our students to experience,” Dr. Guo said.
About the project
When Dr. Guo asked for volunteers to expand the school’s internet across the 6-acre campus, Heckman and King stepped in.
“The project is related directly to several of the students’ major courses, and they get to use what they learn in the classroom to help others,” Dr. Guo said.
AITP connects students with local communities and industries via guest speakers, regional and national competitions, etc. Projects like this highlight the value of the students’ knowledge.
“We hope to use this project as a model for our members and plan to do more projects like this in the future,” said Heckman, senior IT infrastructure major. “It is great experience for us, and it grows our relationship with the community.”
Heckman and King worked on the installation over the summer and expect to finish once they receive the rest of the materials.
“One thing I learned is how valuable the internet is to everyone, especially during the current pandemic,” said Heckman.
The finished installation will greatly assist students and teacher this fall when new social distancing measures are in place.
“We look forward to future opportunities to work with students in MSU’s ITC department as we move forward with plans for our new science, STEM and makerspace lab,” said Amy Maas, Summit’s admissions and communications officer.
The Summit Preparatory School is a full-time, accredited independent school for children ages three years old through 12th grade.