Direct-to-Discovery (D2D)

Claudia Huff (F3/GTRI), Ed Morrison (BCS) and

Warren Matthews (Georgia Tech).

Abstract• We present the direct-to-discovery project and the opportunities to augment

classroom learning via interactive sessions with leading-edge researchers in Georgia and beyond. The project uses high-speed networking and HD video conferencing to bring children from all grade levels face-to-face with subject-matter experts without the time and cost of field trips. For example, students have explored the clean room at Georgia Tech and examined nano-tubes under an electron microscope. Students have also talked to genome researchers at UGA, questioned engineers at NASA, and experienced music with the Philadelphia Orchestra. As the program grows, students will interact with divers at Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary and remotely access telescopes.

• Teachers are paired with researchers to develop lesson plans and address particular GPS. In most cases the teacher-researcher pairing is a long-term partnership providing students with additional opportunities to work on special projects with PhD students.

• The project began as a partnership between the Georgia Institute of Technology and Barrow County Schools. It is currently in a proven prototype stage and in the process of expanding beyond the pilot site. Special consideration is given to evaluation and is in the process of being formalized.

2

Present a novel approach to using technology in the classroom that can enrich science instruction in a meaningful way

Enumerate the essential components & provide examples

Discuss possible applications for your classroom

“We’re here to recruit you” as a D2D enthusiast!Objectives

Multidisciplinary collaboration based at GT/GTRI with Barrow County as “learning laboratory”

Partners include GSU, BOR, and school systems in DeKalb, Hall, and Putnam counties

Major components include• connectivity• professional development and ongoing PLCs classroom

Who and What is D2D?

Shortage of qualified science/math teachers

Out-of-date textbooks in science

No funding for field trips/out-of-classroom activities

Inadequate numbers in the science/math pipeline to meet the challenges of global competitivenessIssues

Addressed by D2D

Explore applications using advanced research & education networks (non-commodity internet, PeachNet in Georgia).

Supplement & enrich classroom instruction via interaction with practicing scientists and engineers in emerging technical fields.

University and K-12 faculty collaboratively develop and deliver content tied to GPS and ultimately, conduct collaborative research projects.

Access an array of scientific resources around the world that can help motivate and inspire future scientists.

Opportunities

Georgia Tech enables collaboration among:Georgia Tech enables collaboration among:

Ongoing monitoring, analysis, feedback, and support through:•Extensive formative evaluation•Annual summative evaluations•Longitudinal studies of students in participating districts during the program and two years after students’ graduate•Formative assessment tied to appropriate performance standards and measures•Quasi-experimental research designs (i.e. comparison group studies where strict randomization is not possible)

Ongoing monitoring, analysis, feedback, and support through:•Extensive formative evaluation•Annual summative evaluations•Longitudinal studies of students in participating districts during the program and two years after students’ graduate•Formative assessment tied to appropriate performance standards and measures•Quasi-experimental research designs (i.e. comparison group studies where strict randomization is not possible)

InputsInputs ActivitiesActivities OutputsOutputs OutcomesOutcomes ImpactImpact

Leadership and committed resources in Barrow, DeKalb, and Putnam School Districts

Leadership and committed resources in Barrow, DeKalb, and Putnam School Districts

What D2D seeks to Accomplish.

STEM teachers paired with faculty and educational experts collaboratively develop and deliver learning.

STEM teachers paired with faculty and educational experts collaboratively develop and deliver learning.

Bandwidth to schools connected to education network increases by 950-1000%

Bandwidth to schools connected to education network increases by 950-1000%

Teachers experience measurable growth in content, pedagogical, and pedagogical content knowledge

Teachers experience measurable growth in content, pedagogical, and pedagogical content knowledge

Provide teacher professional development through local universities

Provide teacher professional development through local universities

equipment and resources provided to participating districts

equipment and resources provided to participating districts

Students demonstrate increasingly greater success in STEM

Students demonstrate increasingly greater success in STEM

Plan, build, and support the necessary cyber-infrastructure

Plan, build, and support the necessary cyber-infrastructure

Provide classroom resources and equipment

Provide classroom resources and equipment

Implement STEM teaching from grades 7 to 12:•Inquiry-based•Project-based•University-supported

Implement STEM teaching from grades 7 to 12:•Inquiry-based•Project-based•University-supported

Experts in Science Education, Educational Technology, Engineering Education, and Math Education

Experts in Science Education, Educational Technology, Engineering Education, and Math Education

Every STEM student learns more richly than through traditional instructional methods.

Every STEM student learns more richly than through traditional instructional methods.

University faculty/researchersUniversity faculty/researchers

Bandwidth Barrier

S.T.E.M.Crisis

TeacherRetention

Local, State, and National Issues Relative to K-12

World Class Education

S.T.E.M.Crisis

Local, State, and National Issues Relative to K-12

In 1975 80% of the World’s scientists lived in the U.S.

Today it is 11%

Less than 6% of graduating seniors plan to pursue engineering degrees

Down from 36% a decade ago

“We go where the smart people are.”Howard High a spokesman for Intel

S.T.E.M.Crisis

Local, State, and National Issues Relative to K-12

Direct To Discovery

Seeks to engage and motivate students in theexcitement of science discovery

Leverages high speed networks and advanced media technologies to create lab to classroom experiences

Provides ageless curricula consistently in syncwith advances and discoveries in science

Establishes a process for collaboration on problems important to K-12 and post secondary institutions

Potentially a strong component in the development of Georgia’s labor and talent pool

The network also supports cultural events

Beyond the

Bandwidth Barrier.

Capabilities

VideoconferencingTeleimmersion/telepresenceRemote control of scientific instrumentationSensors, simulationsHaptics

Think about what becomes possible when Bandwidth is not a limiting factor.

You can’t do anything without capacity.Capacity is required but not sufficient.Also latency, jitter and advanced services such as multicast.

Bandwidth Barrier

A Little History.

10 years ago, R&E community faced similar challenges.

Lack of capacity, routing, etc led to formation of Internet2 organization, Abilene and regional gigapops.

Often slow and unreliable connections, pop-up adds etc.

R&E Networking launched research into new era.

National Lambda Rail (NLR)Internet2 Footprint is similar.Internet2 Footprint is similar.

14

A Typical K-12 System in Georgia.Severely congested pipes mean long delays in routers.Severely congested pipes mean long delays in routers.

This graph shows the delay (in milliseconds) between the clean room at Georgia Tech and a district central office .This graph shows the delay (in milliseconds) between the clean room at Georgia Tech and a district central office .

In the evenings and weekends, delay is 5 milliseconds.In the evenings and weekends, delay is 5 milliseconds.

15

A K-12 System Connected to Peachnet.

2.2 milliseconds2.2 milliseconds

2.4 milliseconds2.4 milliseconds

001e.4fbf.e53d001e.4fbf.e53d001e.4fbf.e53d

This graph shows the delay (in milliseconds) between the clean room at Georgia Tech and a district central office .This graph shows the delay (in milliseconds) between the clean room at Georgia Tech and a district central office .

16

Utilization

More capacity means less congestion and delays.More capacity means less congestion and delays.

Immediately see usage 2-3x previous capacity. Immediately see usage 2-3x previous capacity.

17

District upgraded from 20 Mbps to 150 Mbps (using PeachNet). District upgraded from 20 Mbps to 150 Mbps (using PeachNet).

Upgrade

18

District added additional 2xT1. District added additional 2xT1. Immediately maxed-out again. Immediately maxed-out again.

So does more capacity really mean less congestion?So does more capacity really mean less congestion?

Upgrade

19The network should not be the bottleneck.The network should not be the bottleneck.

1.7 kbps/student -> 2.8 kbps/student (2.9 kbps/student is the national average)1.7 kbps/student -> 2.8 kbps/student (2.9 kbps/student is the national average)

SEGP

Sponsored Education Group Participant (SEGP).

SOX sponsors Peachnet.

Any K-12 District connecting to Peachnet will get connectivity to Internet2/NLR via SOX.

Improve performance, enabling access to rich content.

Equipment

Polycom

Tandberg

Life Size

Promethean/Safari

Professional Development

Equipment and Professional DevelopmentTo make optimal use of R&E networking, you need to have the classroom-side equipment and professional development for teachers who need to know how to use it to further learning.

Other things to include.

• Scheming– Ideas – feedback form– Lit review– GER paper

• Sharing– 10 minutes

• Sign up for Muse!– http://k20.internet2.edu

23