Iowa Broadband Youth Council Explores Technology and State Government

Students looking at screens at the Iowa Communications Network office.
Three photos of Iowa Youth Broadband Council's visit at the Capitol Complex in Des Moines

High school students from across the state explored Iowaā€™s digital infrastructure, gaining rare access to information about critical infrastructure, data centers, and election security.

Iowa Communications Network (ICN) hosted its Statewide Youth Broadband Advisory Council (SYBAC) on April 14 for discussions and tours at the Capitol Complex and a local data center. The event served as an in-person session for students who spent the school year hearing from experts on cybersecurity, infrastructure and emerging technology.

The session highlighted three technology areas:

  • ICN Network Operations: At our Broadband Information Center, the members viewed real-time monitoring of the stateā€™s fiber-optic network. ICN staff showed the mapping of equipment alerts and peering connections that maintain connectivity for Iowaā€™s critical infrastructure.
  • Election Security: After a tour of the Iowa State Capitol, students met with representatives from the Secretary of State's Office. The discussion centered on cyber education and communication used to maintain the integrity of Iowaā€™s elections. A game-style table-top exercise demonstrated how to communicate if an unforeseen situation occurs at a polling site.
  • Physical Infrastructure: The group traveled to LightEdge Solutions in Altoona for a deep dive into data center operations. Beyond servers and racks, students viewed the mechanical side of the technology, including industrial cooling systems, battery backups, and fire protection rooms.

Experts at each location emphasized that technical skills are only one part of a professional career. Throughout the day, all leaders encouraged the students to remain flexible, work hard and prioritize networking with peers to remain marketable in a shifting job market.

Beyond the tours, SYBAC day served as a final session for the councilā€™s year-long journey. During a concluding celebration, students sat down with ICN personnel to discuss the information theyā€™ve received over the past several months. The conversation highlighted a group of students ready for the workforce; several seniors shared their upcoming plans, which include pursuing specific IT certifications, college degrees, and immediate career paths in the technology sector.

The day also honored students who went above and beyond by completing Community Service Projects. These initiatives saw students lead digital literacy workshops, share cybersecurity best practices, and mentor others on the importance of digital safety. One group even developed an entire website for the project. To conclude the day, ICN Executive Director Ryan Mulhall presented the students with their official cybersecurity certificates.

ā­ICN is now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 Statewide Youth Broadband Advisory Council. The program is open to Iowa high school students interested in the future of broadband, technology, and cybersecurity. 

Interested students can apply online at icn.iowa.gov/outreach/sybac.