CI-TEAM Demonstration Project: TRENDS: Training the next generation workforce in Real-time Data and Simulation Technologies

Kansas State University, Manhattan KS

Investigators

Abstract

Advances in sensor and communication technologies and increased cyber-connectivity are enabling access to a vast amount of varied datasets. This access is interactive in that one can control what is being collected, how often it is sampled and the granularity at which it is being collected. Such cyber-enabled infrastructures are poised to revolutionize the way the physical world is monitored and field experiments are performed -- with automated, remote, real-time data collection and feedback replacing traditional manual, and time-consuming methods. Although web accessible information is being used in our daily decision making and has enabled exciting new research possibilities, it is very under-utilized in learning and classroom environments. It is not enough for the next generation workforce to be simply trained to view or utilize online data, rather they must be able to synthesize new solutions to emerging challenges by leveraging diverse cyber-infrastructure enabled data sources. The premise of this work is that training such a cyber-infrastructure literate citizen must start at the K-12 level. The focus of this project is to increase the exposure of K-12 teachers and student populations to sensor network and simulation based cyber-infrastructure tools. Research has shown that experiments and hands-on activities are an important part of the curriculum as they re-enforce textbook knowledge and lead to better retention. Currently, these activities often are restricted to in-class experiments subject to the available space (the classroom), instruments and resources, and are of limited duration (the span of a single class). Point data is used (e.g., holding temperature to a fixed value for the duration of the experiment) rather than time-varying input (which better models real-world systems). Further, for new, emerging areas of science and technology, students often have to rely on reading in textbooks. For example, a new Kansas Standards for Agricultural Education requires students to learn about sustainable agriculture practices, use of GPS/GIS, and the impact of fertilizers/pesticides on yield. However, due to lack of resources, students mainly rely on reading about sustainable agriculture from textbooks. The intellectual merits of the proposed project include developing sensor infrastructure for field experiments, simulation software, and curriculum and training material for K-12 education. These efforts include the following: (a) Developing software and training modules for sensor network based data collection technologies: The aim is that teachers will eventually be able to replace "in-class observing" with "real-time data" for experiments in any of their science and technology classes, and include interactive aspects involving reactions to real-time input, (b) Developing a "smart farm" simulation package in which students will manage the day-to-day operations of a virtual farm, and link it to diverse data sources including real-time data, (c) Promoting inquiry based education by developing lesson plans based on field experiments and simulation software, integrating them into curriculum and training teachers/students based on these lesson plans. The broader impacts of the project include reaching out to a diverse pool of students to broaden participation. The project builds upon past successful projects in real-time embedded sensor systems design funded by NSF RET (Research Experience for Teachers) and NSF CRCD (Combined Research-Curriculum Development) programs, and the NSF GK-12 STEM Fellows program. These have resulted in strong relationships with both rural and urban Kansas schools. This project leverages these connections to train a diverse population set. The project is reaching out to rural under-served school districts in Kansas and those with significant Hispanic population. The focus on agricultural applications via Smart Farm simulations enables the project to reach student populations that have historically been underserved. By making the software web-accessible, the project is working to minimize the "Technology Gap" between those students who have broadband access and state-of-the-art computing hardware in their homes, and those who have outdated or no equipment. The team is continuing to work with existing programs at Kansas State University such as GROW and EXCITE which bring middle and high school girls to campus, and with the Kan-Ed program whose purpose is to provide state-wide collaboration and information exchange opportunities among educational institutions in Kansas.