When classes end for the year on the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno campus, and students head off for summer jobs or internships, professors in the Department of Computer Science & Engineering don’t stop teaching. Instead, they welcome groups of teachers from middle and high schools around Northern ÁùºÏ±¦µä onto campus to learn more about incorporating computing into their classrooms.
This past summer, three programs in the College of Engineering introduced teachers to key topics in computer science, including robotics, big data and cybersecurity.
Two programs were prestigious National Science Foundation RET, or research experience for teachers, sites. RET sites are six-week-long summer programs that provide a stipend for teachers to take a deep dive into research and knowledge in a particular area. This past year, the College of Engineering added a RET site in big data and robotics to an RET site in cybersecurity that received renewed funding after an initial three-year run ended in 2018.
“The teachers participated in cybersecurity research and did hands-on research on various cybersecurity issues including critical infrastructure, biometrics, communications and digital forensics,” said Shamik Sengupta, principal investigate for the cybersecurity RET. “We believe this will benefit the K-12 community greatly. Teachers conducted their research studies firsthand, which makes them a great asset for the Northern ÁùºÏ±¦µä school community.”
For Rachel Burke, a gifted and talented math teacher at Pine Middle School, the big data and robotics RET program was an opportunity to explore some new areas and figure out how to integrate them into her classroom.
“I thought it would be fun to be able to relate and give real-world perspective on big data and robotics,” she said. “The program really stretched my abilities.”
Burke got experience building a robot, seeing what works and what doesn’t, before introducing it into the classroom. Her plan for the school year was to share her experience at the RET training with her students to see if any of them would be interested in working with the “DuckieBot,” a simulated rubber duck robot that functions like an automated car driving through the city streets.
"Through this NSF RET Site experience we aimed to provide ÁùºÏ±¦µä teachers with both hands-on experience and a glimpse of theoretical background on robotics and autonomy, alongside the role of big data in smart cities,” said Kostas Alexis, assistant professor of computer science and engineering and principal investigator for the big data robotics RET site. “Utilizing ‘DuckieTown,’ teachers interacted and programmed micro-robotic systems performing autonomous driving while respecting the rules of the road."
For Daniel Ingram, the real-world applications are key to connecting with students in his classroom. Ingram developed his presentation about the benefits of the smart grid, from how it develops better relationships between utility companies and consumers, to reducing fuel costs and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
“Our world is getting more and more connected, from the internet to energy technology,” said Ingram during his presentation on the smart grid. “There has to be a reason why middle school and high school students need to learn about it, and this is why.”
Amee Lombardi is a computer science teacher at Damonte Ranch High School and facilitates computer science for the Washoe County School District. Lombardi says she noticed a gap in the abilities and experience of the students on the robotics team in recent years and decided to participate in the robotics RET to gain knowledge and experience to help her students.
“Educators are always seeking opportunities for our students,” Lombardi said. “And I learned so much! It was rigorous for sure. Also, it was really exciting that professors at the University are providing these opportunities for teachers.”
In June of 2019, teachers also took part in the first Robotics Academy of ÁùºÏ±¦µä as part of a partnership with the Desert Research Institute and funding from Tesla. Sixty teachers learned about robotics and prepared to coach robotics teams from their schools.
David Feil-Seifer, associate professor of computer science and engineering, was the project lead for the Robotics Academy and also serves as a co-principal investigator for the cybersecurity RET, along with Sengupta, associate professor of computer science and engineering and executive director of the Cybersecurity Center.
The program is currently recruiting for the 2020 session, and interested teachers can apply at the .
