Estes Park Middle School Tech Students Tackle Classroom Tech Troubles Head-On

By: Trailblazer News Team – Special Report

At Estes Park Middle School, a group of computer science students turned frustration into innovation.

Faced with persistent internet connectivity problems and sluggish classroom computers, students in one of the Computer Science classes—led by their dedicated teacher, Mrs. Ravi Davis—decided to do what real problem-solvers do: investigate the issue, dig into the data, and present solutions. And that’s exactly what they did.

Instead of shrugging off the tech troubles, these students put on their analytical hats and embarked on a full-blown inquiry into why their classroom experience was lagging. Over the course of the term, they explored everything from bandwidth limitations to outdated hardware, and what they found was eye-opening.

During a recent presentation to Estes Park School District administrative staff, including the IT Systems Administrator/Cyber Analyst and a few guests from Trailblazer Broadband, the students impressed everyone with their research, professionalism, and thoughtful recommendations.

🔍 Root Cause: Found!

The students outlined several key issues impacting their ability to learn effectively:

• Unstable WiFi connectivity within the school made it frustratingly difficult to stay connected to online resources. Frequent disconnections and lag—likely caused by environmental interference (concrete walls and school construction materials) and older devices not equipped for high-speed wireless—disrupted their ability to complete coding assignments or use the curriculum smoothly.
• Outdated classroom computers were also a major roadblock. Equipped with aging Intel Core i5 processors, only 8GB of RAM, and limited integrated graphics, these machines struggled to handle even basic programming tasks.
• Operating system concerns added another layer to the tech tangle, prompting the students to explore a more holistic solution involving upgraded devices.

💡 Solutions: Researched and Ready

But this wasn’t a “complaint session” by any stretch of the imagination! These students came prepared with three researched computer options—models from Lenovo, HP, and Dell—comparing specs, RAM, graphics capabilities, storage, and price. They even considered the financial implications of reducing the class size to make new technology more affordable.

The highlight? Their thoughtful consideration of how improved devices would benefit not just this class, but future students. Better equipment means smoother curriculum delivery, stronger skill development, and fewer tech-induced roadblocks in their learning journey.

🎤 Tech Talk with the Trailblazers — Q&A for the Class

1. What was the thing that surprised you the most during this project? “We initially thought it was the internet causing our electronic troubles. But truly, it was the devices that were rubbish.”

1. What part of the research did you enjoy the most—and why? “We enjoyed presenting our proposal to the administration and Trailblazer Broadband the most, and have our voices heard.”
2. Was there anything that frustrated you along the way? “Having to work on the outdated computers along the way.”
3. Knowing what you know now, and considering long-term future use, if you had unlimited funds, what kind of computers would you pick—and what features would they have? “We would like to have the computers that Mr. Compton spec’d for us, based on our research and what we needed.”

1. Did this project change how you think about technology in schools? How? “Yes. It changed how we think about technology because we now understand the importance of having good technology to support computer science education.”
2. What was it like presenting to adults from the district and Trailblazer? Nerve-wracking, exciting… or both? “Nervous and exhilarating! It felt incredible to be able to present in front of administration and Trailblazer.”
3. Would you want to work in tech someday? If so, what kind of job would you love to have? “Yes – film animation, video game development, and Space Force!”

👏 Community Collaboration

And yes—when asked what surprised them most, one student (very enthusiastically!) said:

“That Trailblazer actually came to our class to listen to our presentation!”

You bet we did—and we left inspired. These future engineers, analysts, and innovators reminded us that problem-solving starts at any age, especially when guided by a supportive educator and a curiosity to make things better

AI: Your Family’s New Best Friend!

Remember Rosie from the Jetsons?  Imagine having a helpful buddy at home that never sleeps, always listens, and is ready to assist you at a moment’s notice. That’s AI for you! It’s not just for tech whizzes or big businesses anymore; it’s here to make life easier for families, and that includes everyone from kids to seniors. 

Easy Interfaces

Using AI is as simple as pie! AI-powered virtual assistants like Amazon’s Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple’s Siri have revolutionized how people interact with technology in their homes. Trailblazer is using AI to assist in writing this article!  

• Talk to Me: With voice commands, you can just say what you need. “Hey Google, play my favorite playlist!” No need for complicated buttons or manuals—just good old-fashioned chat.
• Visual Helpers: Many apps come with friendly guides that show you the ropes. Think of it as having a personal tutor who’s always there to help!

Family Bonding Made Fun

AI isn’t just about tech; it’s about bringing families closer together!

• Calendar Coordination: Keep everyone in the loop with shared calendars. No more “I thought we were meeting at 3!” moments—everyone knows what’s happening!
• Peace of Mind: With remote monitoring tools, family members can check in on children and seniors from afar. It’s like having a virtual safety net that keeps everyone connected.

Chatting Made Simple

Staying in touch has never been easier!

• Smart Messaging: AI can help craft the perfect message or even suggest replies. So if Grandma wants to text you about her new knitting project, she can do it without breaking a sweat!
• Video Calls Without the Hassle: Forget fumbling with buttons! AI can make video calls as easy as saying, “Let’s call Mom!”

Healthcare and Support 

AI is enabling more tailored healthcare and support for seniors:

• Telemedicine platforms: AI-enhanced telemedicine services can provide remote health monitoring and virtual consultations, improving access to healthcare for seniors in remote areas.
• Personalized treatment plans: AI algorithms can analyze health data to provide customized care recommendations and treatment plans.
• Personalized Workouts: AI-powered fitness apps can create tailored exercise plans that adapt as you progress. Whether it’s yoga or light strength training, staying fit has never been more accessible (or fun!).

Personalized Magic

AI knows what you like and helps you find more of it!

• Adaptive Learning: The more you use it, the smarter it gets! It learns your preferences and becomes even more helpful.
• Feedback Fun: Got an idea? Share your thoughts! Many AI tools welcome feedback, so they can keep improving and stay relevant.

In short, AI is not just about technology; it’s about enhancing quality of life.  It keeps everyone connected, supports our seniors, and makes daily tasks feel like a breeze. So why not embrace this tech-savvy buddy and enjoy all the fun (and ease) it brings? Cheers to making life simpler and more enjoyable together! 🎉

P.S.  This article was written in conjunction with Perplexity.ai. 

The Trailblazer Broadband Internet Rollout…Behind the Scenes Part 3 by Edward Yagi

Reprinted with permission from the Allenspark Wind, December 2023 Vol. 50, No. 11, Pg. 22, by Edward Yagi

One chapter in the 30-year, saga of internet access in Greater Allenspark is about to end. A new, game-changing chapter – the expansion of fiber optic cable broadband to any home on the Estes Park power grid – is about to begin.

As 2023 comes to a close, the big question on everyone’s mind is “Why is the world still at war? Wasn’t globalization and economic integration supposed to put an end to this nonsense?” One thing is for sure: most of us are happy to be in Allenspark rather than Kyiv or Gaza City…despite Allenspark STILL having worse internet than either one.

This raises another big question which, happily, doesn’t involve war (at least, not yet): when, exactly, will Estes Park Power & Communication’s “Trailblazer” high-speed fiber optic cable service reach Allenspark? Are they late? Are they behind schedule? Have they forgotten about us? Are they unaware that Allenspark even exists?

It turns out that the answer to all these questions is “yes” and for more details this reporter contacted its spies, er, contacts in Estes Park for the latest details. Only Kim agreed to speak on the record.

I obtained the following insight from someone we will identify only as Insider #1: “Well we never really expected to get to Allenspark before around 2025 in the first place. This is what we in Estes Park call a “forever project,” meaning that, like the electricity we have provided since the 1930s, it takes us forever to get up there. But once we ARE up there, we’re there forever, and once the basic infrastructure is all set up, it also takes forever to change anything. You only have one chance to do it right the first time. That’s what we’re doing.”

Insider #2 had a slightly different take. “A lot of people don’t know this, but since 1983 we’ve only had one person willing to go up to Allenspark at all. Allensparkionians can be, like, kinda crazy or ornery, you know? Our guy was Ralph, and a couple years ago, right in the middle of the Trailblazer roll out, we found out, sadly, that Ralph was dead. He was just sitting at his desk, all quiet, but there was nothing at all unusual about that. So it’s taken us some time to onboard a few new bright-eyed kids right out of school who didn’t know anything about Allenspark and aren’t afraid to go up there. But they have to be trained, and splicing internet fiber isn’t like pouring milk on cereal, you know what I mean?”

Insider #3, who clearly went to college, had this to say: “Say you build a railroad from Big City A to Small City B. The only way you can do this is to start running trains along the track you first build between A and the first stop, build more track, service the second stop, build more track, service the third stop, and so on. How long it takes to build the final stretch of track, to Small City B, depends in part on how much service you have along the intervening stops. The simple fact is, Allenspark has always been the last stop on the choo-choo line for pretty much any service, public or private, you can think of. Look where it is. It’s just simple geography.”

Insider #4 blamed it all on the weather: “If it was always summer we could have had Allenspark lit up a year ago. But surprise! it’s not always summer in Allenspark. We only have so many snow tires, oxygen tanks, and hazmat suits – hey, we’re a public utility, right? And the timing has just been horrendous – every time Allenspark was next on the list…BAM! winter hits, so hello Glen Haven. Sorry Allenspark…I guess it just sucks to be you.”

Insider #5 claimed that minor administrative error has played a role, if not a decisive one: “We sent two people do to a survey of Meeker Park…and they just vanished. I mean, like into thin air. Turns out that they went to Meeker, Colorado on the other side of the state. They ran out of gas, found a weed dispensary, and have been living there high and happy ever since. The paperwork we had to fill out on that one took months.”

When contacted for verification of the above insider intelligence, Trailblazer Customer Experience Manager Kim Smith replied: “I can neither confirm nor deny any of these reports. I can say that Allenspark’s wait is almost over. Most of Glen Haven, which was a very challenging area for us, now has service, and we will finally bring Trailblazer broadband to Allenspark in 2024. We’re saving the best for last! In the meantime, we are sending an email to all Allenspark folks who have registered in our system to inform them of our latest plans, and we are working to coordinate a Town Hall meeting in Allenspark in early December to answer the community’s questions. All we’re waiting for is Ralph to wake up. I swear that guy sleeps like he’s dead.”