I’m a student.
Start with the Student Technology Corps. Learn the spaces, complete an entry mission, earn your first badge, and begin collecting portfolio evidence.
View student pathWelcome to SOTE
Start here: welcome to the Student-Operated Technology Ecosystem.
You are entering a hands-on learning environment where students operate real infrastructure, complete missions, earn badges, support simulated users, build systems, document evidence, and prepare for technology careers.
ObserveConnectDiagnoseResolveStudent-operated technology ecosystem
Pick the path that matches you.
SOTE is big on purpose. This page gives each audience a simple way to enter without needing to understand every rack, server, character, and proposal first.
I’m a visitor, donor, or partner.
Use Tour Mode to see the story in order: digital front door, Mission Control, Rocket’s Forge, Cyber Defense Command, and student proof-of-work.
Take the tourI’m faculty or staff.
Explore the ecosystem map, projects, missions, and Codex to see how curriculum, operations, help desk, cyber, and documentation can connect.
Open the mapYour first five minutes in SOTE
A new student should be able to follow this sequence during orientation, an open house, or the first lab meeting.
1. Enter the portal
Start at the digital front door and learn that SOTE is a student-operated technology ecosystem, not just a lab full of equipment.
2. Read the map
Open the Environment Map and see how Mission Control, Rocket’s Forge, Ace’s Support Command, Patch Bay Alpha, Rocket’s Launch Pad, and the Cyber Defense Command fit together.
3. Meet the guides
Each character has a role: Ace supports students and help desk readiness, Professor Rocket teaches engineering discipline, Sir Kingston guards the cyber range, SOTEE explains the system, and Cypher Raven creates controlled challenge.
4. Choose a first mission
Open the Mission Board and pick a beginner mission such as Cable Runner, Switch Initiate, or Help Desk Hero.
5. Save evidence
Every completed mission should produce an artifact: a worksheet, screenshot, ticket note, build log, diagram, reflection, or approved portfolio entry.
Start Here page purpose
This page is intentionally written for someone who has never heard of SOTE. It should answer: What is this? Where do I go first? Who are these characters? What can students actually do here?