Elementary students get first look at Roanoke Valley's fiber optic netowork

Students from Fishburn Park Elementary got a special lesson in fiber optics Tuesday.

They were the first to see how the Roanoke Valley Broadband Authority fiber system works.

Inside the Ciena Innovation Lab, the students learned the techniques and tools used to power the network.

The kindergartners and first graders were able to ask questions and interact with the people behind the scenes of the system.

“We want to be able to stimulate young minds, especially for example the STEM program and things like that. Get these folks interested in the sciences and this is a great opportunity and they really enjoyed it,” said Roanoke Valley Broadband Authority President and CEO Frank Smith II.

Students also got a tour of Blue Ridge PBS studios.

PBS is the network's first customer.