Your students become Digital Campus Optimization Consultants in this immersive, real-world scenario. The school’s network is under pressure during critical online registration and testing periods, and your students are tasked with diagnosing the issues and proposing robust technical solutions.

This project-based unit blends research, systems thinking, and technical communication as students investigate internet infrastructure, protocols, and connectivity challenges. The culminating activity includes a professional presentation and optional simulation or web design challenge.

Editable Unit Plan with 4 Benchmarks

• Scenario-Based Launch Activity
• Student Research Planners
• Graphic Organizers for NAT, IP, ISP, Protocols
• Slides for mini-lessons and concept instruction
• Solution Planning Framework
• Assessment Rubrics
• Final Presentation Guidelines
• Optional Simulation or Web Design Challenge

Learning Objectives: Students will:

• Investigate and define key internet infrastructure concepts
• Analyze real-world network models and performance bottlenecks
• Diagnose protocol and naming issues affecting connectivity
• Propose feasible, secure, and scalable solutions
• Present findings to an authentic audience (School Board simulation)

CSTA Computer Science Standards:

• H-NI-01 – Evaluate network scalability and reliability
• H-NI-03 – Recommend security measures based on usability and feasibility
• H-NI-05 – Compare ways developers protect devices and data
• H-CS-02 – Compare abstraction levels in computing systems
• 3A-CS-03 – Develop systematic troubleshooting strategies
• 3B-NI-03 – Describe issues impacting network functionality