Why This K-12 Cyber Innovation Center Turned to Extron AV Technology

Extron NAV AV over IP powers an Innovation Center.
(Image credit: Extron)

The Cyber Innovation Center at Canyon Springs High School in California is a place where students gain knowledge and skills in computer network maintenance and cybersecurity, earning college credits and CompTIA certifications. Spearheaded by the late Aaron Barnett, IT director of Moreno Valley USD, and Donna Woods, MSc. Ed., the Center's lead instructor, the academic program and the 7,600-square-foot facility are brought to life with Extron switching, distribution, control, and audio, with NAV Pro AV over IP at the center of AV signal distribution.

Moreno Valley Unified School District in Riverside County recently opened its Center at Canyon Springs High School. It's the home of the cybersecurity pathway program and is recognized by the National Initiative for Cyber Education as the first center of its kind for a K-12 public school district. Integral to the teaching and esports competition activities at the Center is an extensive audiovisual system powered by Extron.

[HETMA Announces New Board of Directors and Chairpersons]

“The AV systems provide a high-level impact and excellent impression to visitors and participants engaged in our community outreach programs," said Woods. “Extron collaborated with our instructors during AV system design to understand specific uses and applications for each course. As Extron customized the AV systems, they provided training and support during and after installation. They were exemplary in follow-up as instructors began using the system verifying everything was running effectively.”

Extron NAV AV over IP powers an Innovation Center.

(Image credit: Extron)

The main teaching spaces are an Esports Computer Lab, a Cyber Classroom, and a Cyber Innovation Lab that serve as classrooms and as competition venues for esports and Cyber Defense contests. The center also houses mentoring conference rooms and hands-on workstations with server racks and network equipment. 

Connecting all the rooms is the NAV Pro AV over IP system which allows any AV source to be viewed and heard on any display. Supporting this main distribution backbone is a host of Extron switching, distribution and control equipment, including HDMI switchers, DTP wallplates, ShareLink Pro wireless presentation gateways, DMP audio DSP processors, XPA and NetPA amplifiers, Flat Field and SoundField speakers and subwoofers, IPCP Pro control processors, TouchLink Pro touchpanels, and the Extron Control app. Alumni of Moreno Valley’s Cyber Academic Pathway program have gone on to well-paying software security and IT positions in industry.

The AVNetwork staff are storytellers focused on the professional audiovisual and technology industry. Their mission is to keep readers up-to-date on the latest AV/IT industry and product news, emerging trends, and inspiring installations.