When the academic year wraps up at the University of Nevada, Reno, and students depart for summer jobs or internships, the faculty in the Department of Computer Science & Engineering remain active. They welcome middle and high school teachers from Northern Nevada to campus for immersive training focused on integrating computing into their classrooms.
This past summer, three initiatives within the College of Engineering introduced educators to essential topics in computer science, including robotics, big data, and cybersecurity. Two of these programs were recognized as National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) sites. These six-week summer programs provide stipends for teachers to deeply engage with research in specific fields. The College of Engineering recently expanded its offerings by adding an RET site in big data and robotics to an existing site in cybersecurity, which was renewed after a successful initial three-year period ending in 2018.
“The teachers engaged in cybersecurity research, tackling hands-on projects related to critical infrastructure, biometrics, communications, and digital forensics,” explained Shamik Sengupta, principal investigator for the cybersecurity RET. “This experience will significantly benefit the K-12 community, as teachers are now equipped with firsthand research knowledge, making them invaluable assets in the Northern Nevada school district.”
For Rachel Burke, a gifted and talented math teacher at Pine Middle School, the big data and robotics RET provided an opportunity to explore new subjects and strategize how to integrate them into her curriculum. “I wanted to relate real-world perspectives on big data and robotics to my students,” she remarked. “The program really pushed my abilities.”
Burke gained hands-on experience in building a robot and experimenting with its functionality before introducing it to her students. This school year, she plans to share her RET experiences with her class and encourage interest in the “DuckieBot,” a simulated rubber duck robot that operates like an automated vehicle navigating urban environments.
Kostas Alexis, assistant professor of computer science and engineering and principal investigator for the big data robotics RET site, noted, “Through this NSF RET experience, we aimed to provide Nevada teachers with both practical skills and theoretical insights into robotics and autonomy, as well as the significance of big data in smart cities. Utilizing ‘DuckieTown,’ teachers programmed micro-robotic systems to perform autonomous driving while adhering to traffic regulations.”
For Daniel Ingram, real-world applications are crucial for engaging students in the classroom. He presented on the benefits of the smart grid, discussing how it fosters better relationships between utility companies and consumers while reducing fuel costs and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. “Our world is becoming increasingly interconnected, from the internet to energy technology. It’s essential for middle and high school students to understand these concepts,” Ingram stated.
Amee Lombardi, a computer science teacher at Damonte Ranch High School who also facilitates computer science programs for the Washoe County School District, identified a gap in her students’ skills on the robotics team. She participated in the robotics RET to enhance her knowledge and better support her students. “Educators are always seeking opportunities for our students, and I learned so much! It was rigorous, but incredibly rewarding that university professors are providing these opportunities for teachers,” Lombardi shared.
In June 2019, teachers participated in the inaugural Robotics Academy of Nevada, a collaboration with the Desert Research Institute, supported by funding from Tesla. Sixty educators learned about robotics and prepared to coach teams at their schools.
David Feil-Seifer, associate professor of computer science and engineering, served as the project lead for the Robotics Academy and is also a co-principal investigator for the cybersecurity RET alongside Sengupta, who is the executive director of the Cybersecurity Center.
The program is currently accepting applications for the 2020 session, and interested teachers can apply through the department’s RET website.
