The 5G experience // Show Me Mizzou // University of Missouri

Feb. 26, 2020

This spring semester, 19 University of Missouri students are participating in a new immersive 5G course in partnership with AT&T. The course will explore the impact of wireless technology on college campuses and beyond.

The course, “Connectivity and 5G” uses a multidisciplinary approach with students and instructors from a variety of fields of study including business, engineering, journalism and architectural studies. The students are part of four teams focused on specific industries — health care, sports, campus safety and higher education — to find creative solutions using 5G.

This is a picture of Taylar Warren described her concept for improving the campus experience using 5G wireless technology by showcasing a prototype built by legos at the AT&T Headquarters in Dallas. — Taylar Warren described her concept for improving the campus experience using 5G wireless technolgoy by showcasing a prototype built by legos at the AT&T Headquarters in Dallas.

5G, the fifth generation of mobile wireless systems, is a way for computers and phones, to send and receive data. Many cellular carriers began rolling out 5G service to select cities a few years ago and will provide faster download times and upload speeds. Cellular companies are investing in 5G technology across the country.

“The University of Missouri is consistently finding new ways to integrate technology into our teaching and scholarship as we tackle grand challenges and enhance the exceptional, hands-on education our students come here for,” MU Chancellor Alexander N. Cartwright said. “This partnership is a tremendous example of that commitment. By aligning our university with a world-class industry leader, we can innovate higher education while discovering more solutions to rural health care, broadband accessibility and so much more.”

Students and faculty began the course in Dallas for an intensive two-day session learning about the evolution of 5G technology. Their time in Dallas included workshops at AT&T headquarters and a private tour of AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys.

Picture of students walking on the field at AT&T stadium — During the two-day intensive course in Dallas, Mizzou students got a private tour of the stadium.

The stadium featured several 5G features aimed at improving the game day experience for fans, including “Pose with the Pros” photo booths where fans can take their picture with computer generated images of the football players.

“We hear about virtual reality and other aspects of 5G technology, but many people can’t actually experience them,” said Taylar Warren, a senior who is studying journalism. “Seeing some of the small tools, like Pose with the Pros, got me thinking of how I can bring the technology back to Mizzou to improve the student experience.”

This is a picture of MU student Solomon Davis listening during a Connectivity and 5G class. — Senior Solomon Davis listening during a Connectivity and 5G class focused on innovation.

During an idea workshop at AT&T headquarters, Eric Ruth, a senior studying business administration, proposed a game day traffic control tool that could efficiently allocate security and police officers to help manage crowd control. His was just one of dozens of creative solutions students came up with that used 5G technology to improve experiences for people.

Now back in Columbia, the students are tackling several projects including how faster internet speed can improve healthcare. Abigail Labonte, a senior studying architectural studies, is one of the students on the health care team. Her group is focused on using 5G within a hospital setting and recently toured MU’s University Hospital to consider ways 5G could improve the hospital setting.

Students touring MU Health Care. This is a picutre of students learning about the ambulatory services as they stand next to the MU Health helicopter. — During a tour of MU Health Care, students in the 5G course discussed ways wireless technology could improve health care.

As the students work on their projects throughout the semester, they are putting their creativity and problem-solving skills to the test.

“I think the hardest thing will be that there are so many possibilities with 5G,” said Kaitlyn Zahn, a senior studying computer science. “It is such a big field, that we don’t really know what question we are answering yet.”