Press Release

FROM: Ann Houston, Communications and Marketing Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education 1500 W. Seventh Ave., Stillwater, OK 74074 Phone: 405-743-5109 Fax: 405-743-5541 e-mail:ahous@okcareertech.org

BPA Students Provide Internet Lab at Spring Conference Time between tests and competitive events at CareerTech student organization spring conferences can get long ­ both boring and nerve-racking. What better way to spend those stretches in time than by staying in touch with friends "back home" while attending a conference for three days ­ and, maybe learning a thing or two about networking at the same time. Thanks to a brainstorm from a business and computer instructor at Gordon Cooper Technology Center, Shawnee, and the enthusiasm of two high school students, e-mail and basic web service were provided for the 2,100 conference attendees at the first annual Business Professionals of America (BPA) Spring Conference. The event was held at OSU-Okmulgee and Tulsa from Feb. 27- March 2. BPA is the CareerTech student organization supporting business and information technology education at high schools and technology centers in 170 chapters across Oklahoma. Business and Information Technology Education Instructor Phillip Jackson, and seniors Brad Davison, Bethel High School, and Daniel Cadaret, Shawnee High School, decided to put that downtime to good use by providing an Internet Lab. "Last year, I really was bored waiting around for everyone else after taking the tests," Davison said. "I had a laptop computer and checked e-mail to pass the time. We thought other people might like to do that, too. So, this year, we brought 20 computers, a server to network them and linked to Linux Redhat 6.0 that's offered free over the Internet." Gordon Cooper Technology Center's Business and Information Technology Education Instructor Phillip Jackson, seated, and seniors Brad Davison, Bethel High School,left, and Daniel Cadaret, Shawnee High School, at the Internet Lab . These two students, friends since third grade, have experience in networking that started in the seventh grade when they networked the computer system at Bethel High School. "I first taught myself how to fix trashed computers in the seventh grade so I could play games," Davison said. "Then, Daniel and I figured out how to network them, so more than one person could play games. After sophomore tours of Gordon Cooper, though, I wanted to know more. They had the computers, so I enrolled." Today, these two have a business called Basement Industries, and design networks, repair computers and handle anything else related to computer systems. They offer their expertise both as a community service and as contract work for churches, teachers and businesses in the area. "We just finished running cable for the Seminole Nation Casino," Davison said. Jackson, a former management information systems director for an Oklahoma City commercial real estate firm, said their boundless energy and interest reminds him of himself at that age. "I used to teach my teachers about the computer," he said. "Now, they're teaching me." Jackson likes his students to learn by doing, so on-the-job-training is encouraged. Davison and Cadaret work with their contractors during class time. Also, in that spirit, the Internet Lab came to be a reality. Student network administrator Brad Davison assist novice computer user during an internet lab session.  "The lab was built by networking 20 outdated computers that we brought out of Gordon Cooper's storage closet," Jackson said. "Only the server came out of a classroom. All the machines we brought were ready to go to the auction." Before the lab could be created, though, Davison and Cadaret were instructed to write a proposal last semester. "We submitted a proposal to both the local and state BPA officers for approval ­ just like you would do in any business," Cadaret said. The student network administrators admit they exchanged last year's boredom for stress. "We're now responsible for keeping the computers working, helping people when they need it, and training other members from our chapter how to help out a, especially if we have to be gone for a while," Davison said. These enthusiastic and self-motivated seniors, brought the lab to life on the first day of testing before competitive events. By 1:30 p.m., as word spread, not only the students but advisors, too, found their way to a hopping place ­ the Internet Lab. posted 3/13/2002 Related Links Business and Information Technology Division Gordon Cooper Technology Center

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