Following the successful deployment of the Internet Backpack for emergency preparedness at Mt. Nyiragongo in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the research team traveled to Liberia to deploy the Internet Backpack for educational purposes at the Muslim Congress High School in Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia. The Liberian government was interested in the Internet Backpack technology as it enabled easy and rapid Internet connectivity for schools. The backpack is a mobile solution that can be used out of the classroom for field trips and experiential learning activities. At the Muslim Congress High School and other schools in Liberia, it was used for field lessons in sustainable agriculture.
The research team partnered with One Planet Education Network, an organization that provides educational resources to schools around the world, with a focus on STEM learning, on a global sustainable agriculture project. A video session allowed students in Liberia to join other students from the United States, Australia, and other countries, to share their research findings. In addition to providing Internet connectivity, the Internet Backpack also functions as a green power generator. During the video session, there was a power disruption and the projection screen was not working. The team used the Internet Backpack to provide electricity. The backpack has a 110 AC power outlet along with 12V DC, 5V DC and a foldable solar panel (which makes it a swiss-knife of off grid electricity). They turned the backpack on, connected to its Wi-Fi, and plugged in the television. In a few minutes, they were able to connect with students from all over the world and continue the global interactive learning experience.