Clay Hampton
Clinical Assistant Professor
cthampto@purdue.edu
799 W. Michigan St., ET 309 Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
Cell: 765-495-7815
WHAT WE OFFER
Explore what the Purdue Living Lab has to offer to all students.
Project Based Experience
The Living Lab experience is a
resume-worthy experience. Many of our students have acquired jobs based on their experience in the lab. The Living Lab course can count as a valuable RISE credit.
HISTORY
The Full History of the Purdue Living Lab.
Purdue Living Lab Timeline
2001
In the Beginning
With the launch of new web development and programming courses, the CIT faculty required a server capable of running Microsoft IIS 4.0. However, university IT services declined the request due to security concerns. In response, the CIT department took the initiative to acquire and set up its own servers for instructional use. The first two machines were configured by the CIT systems engineer, who served as both a faculty member and the program coordinator.
2005
First Student Team
The first Living Lab group started with six students and expanded to 24 by Spring 2005. These students supported networking and security labs while managing an increasingly complex server environment, which had grown to 18 servers providing a wide range of services.
Mid 2000s
Curriculum Growth & Student Experience
As CIT’s networking curriculum expanded, students expressed concern about lacking the real-world experience needed for internships and jobs. In response, one student was mentored in systems administration, marking the true beginning of the Living Lab model. What started with a single student soon grew into a structured, team-based learning environment.
Today
The One-Stop Shop
The Living Lab functions like an in-house IT department, where students apply skills in networking, security, databases, and web or application development. It supports both internal and external CIT-related projects, providing hands-on experience in a collaborative, real-world setting. Students participate in the Living Lab by enrolling in CIT 48500, a course that offers between 1 to 6 credit hours based on their level of involvement.
STAFF
Meet The Staff
FAQ
Here are some of the most common questions we receive about the Living Lab. Find answers to help you better understand what to expect from the program.