Blandin webinar: Community Technology Centers May 12: Notes and Archive

1. RS Fiber Innovation Center
An idea to enhance learning by leveraging the Intranet.

2. The Intranet
• One of the reasons fiber is so transformative is because it can provide
people with a very low latency, symmetrical, ultra high bandwidth
connections not only to the Internet but to each other . . . . a super
charged community based network.
• That community based network, the Intranet, connects to the
Internet, but stands apart from it. IP traffic can be localized to the
Intranet and there are no bandwidth or transport costs associated
with its use.
• When complete in 2021 the RS Fiber Intranet will connect about
7,000 homes and businesses in ten communities in a 700 square mile
area touching eight school districts in four counties.

3. How can we leverage the Intranet for
education?
• Develop and deliver shared, online and on site classes geared
toward technology (STEM) curriculum.
• Coding, 3-D printing, injection molding, digital microscopy, drones,
robotics
• Ag related science offerings
• Videography
• Software application development
• Emphasis on the Arts (Put some STEAM in that STEM!)
• Digital literacy and inclusion
• And others

4. UM Extension’s Idea
• Introduce STEM based learning opportunities through 4-H and FFA.
• Offer Ag related science courses.
• 4-H SOAR competition in its second year.
• Hands on training at Winthrop Innovation Center and Fairfax Maker
Space in 2106 and the other eight RS Fiber communities in 2017.
• Broadcast Journalism Center featuring original student programming
• Ag related television shows written, directed and produced by students.
• Broadcast on RS Fiber Channel Lineup
• Streamed and cached on Internet and Intranet
• Extra curricular events programing (Sports, Band, Choir, Theatre)
• Broadcast studio in each community leveraging the Intranet

5. 4-H STEM Coordinator
• UM Extension developed a job description for the position.
• Interviews in April and May.
• Job offer will be made next week with plans to have a full time
STEM Coordinator on board in June.
• Three year commitment
• University of Minnesota Extension Employee.
• Hope to replicate model in other counties.
• Curriculum design and delivery will ber developed by STEM
Coordinator in cooperation with project partners.

6. Project Partners to date
• RS Fiber Cooperative
• Hiawatha Broadband Communications
• RS Fiber Joint Powers Board (10 communities and 17 townships)
• City of Fairfax EDA
• City of Winthrop EDA
• AGGW Cable Commission
• Blandin Foundation
• US Ignite
• University of Minnesota Extension
• GFW and Sibley East School Districts
• Local/area ag cooperatives

7. Questions