Cyberinfrastructure – Changing the Face of Science & Engineering

1. Cyberinfrastructure – Changing the Face of Science & Engineering Opportunities for Broadening Participation John D. Fernandez, Ph.D. Chair, Computing Sciences

6. Engineering Degrees • Twenty five years ago the U. S. , Japan and China graduated a similar number of engineers ranging from 73,000 to 80,000, while Korean engineering graduates totaled just 28,000. • By 2000: • Chinese engineering graduates increased 161% to 207,500 • Japanese engineering graduates increased 42% to 103,200 • Korean engineering graduates increased 140% to 56,500 • U. S. engineering graduates declined 20% to 59,500 Source: National Science Foundation, Science and Engineering Indicators, 2004.

7. 55% of engineering degrees from American universities are going to foreign nationals. State of U.S. Higher Education 55% 45% • U.S. ranks 8th in the availability of scientists and engineers. India ranks 3rd. • US ranks 37th in quality of math an science education, behind nations such as Israel, Scotland and Korea. • Source: World Economic Forum

9. Rising Above the Gathering Storm • “Because our economic, military, and cultural well-being depends on continued science and engineering leadership, the nation faces a compelling call to action” (p. 106).

10. Rising Above the Gathering Storm • The U.S. cannot rely on a long-term strategy of importing its S&E workforce. Instead, it must cultivate the untapped resource of talented yet underrepresented groups within the country. • Many who entered the S&E workforce in the 1960s and 70s (the baby boomers) are expected to retire in the next 20 years, and their children are not choosing careers in S&E in the same numbers as their parents.

11. Compelling Call to Action • About one third of all jobs in the U.S. require a science or technology competency • Science and engineering jobs are growing at 300% of the rate in other fields • The national Hispanic rate of growth is 3.6% while Hispanics declaring CS as a major has only increased by 1.2%

13. Myths If you major in computer science, you can’t find a job All the jobs are gone, or have moved to India Truths Computer Science is one of the fastest growing job fields Simultaneously, enrollment is down because folks believe in the myth Results: For those who choose computing sciences, prospects look very good Evangelize with the Truth P. Conrad, University of Delaware

14. Speaking the Truth • Computing Alliance of Hispanic Serving Institutions (CA-HSI) • Florida International University • California State University Dominguez Hills • New Mexico State University • Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi • University of Houston, Downtown • University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez • University of Texas at El Paso

15. CA-HSI Project Goals • To increase the number of Hispanic students who enter the computing workforce with advanced degrees • To support the retention and advancement of Hispanic faculty in computing • To develop and sustain competitive education and research programs at HSIs

16. CA-HSI Interventions • A course designed to attract majors and bolster under-prepared students • Peer-facilitation in the gatekeeper courses to provide an active learning experience and create leadership roles for undergraduates • Undergraduate professional development and research experiences inside and outside the classroom • Workshops to develop cohorts of graduate students and faculty • On-line resources for students and faculty in support of CA-HSI goals

17. CA-HSI at TAMU-CC • Alice programming environment for CS-0 course • Peer-Led Team Learning for CS-0, CS-1 and CS-2 • Affinity Research Groups • Networking and Security • Computer-Human Interaction • Scientific and Parallel Computing • Software Engineering

18. Texas Coastal Ocean Observation Network

19. Texas Coastal OceanObservation Network • Started 1988 • Over 50 stations • Primary Sponsors • General Land Office • Water Devel. Board • US Corps of Engineers • National Ocean Service • Project Staff • 2 PhD, 10 FTE staff • 50+ students employed since 1992 Gulf of Mexico

20. TCOON Overview • Measurements • Precise Water Levels • Wind • Temperature • Barometric Pressure • Follows NOAA/NOS standards • Real-time, online database

23. TCOON Data Management • Automated Acquisition, Archive, Processing, Retrieval • 15-year Historical Database • Most processing takes place via Internet • Infrastructure for other observation systems

24. TCOON Research • Real-time Automated Data Processing • Telecommunications / Network Protocols • Tidal Datum Processing • Web-based Visualization and Manipulation of Coastal Data • Specialized sensor and data acquisition system development • Neural-Network-based forecasts from real-time observations • Support for other research efforts (e.g., HRI)

25. Data Collection Systems • PC-104 based computer • Linux operating system • Solid-state Flash memory • 10 serial ports, 16 A/D channels • Low power consumption • Rugged for harsh environments

26. Remote Controlled Shallow Draft Vehicle

27. Shallow-Water Remote Monitoring • Project Objective: Develop a system to perform water-quality sampling and analysis in shallow water (<3ft) regions

28. Shallow-Water Remote Monitoring • Limitations of existing monitoring methods for shallow-water areas • Shallow-water bays and estuaries are complex environments requiring dense sampling • Human-centered sampling methods often disturb environment being tested

29. Why ROV? • Current approach: • Fixed position data collection (TCOON) • Man-controlled boat in areas with water 3 ft or deeper • Programmed robots/boats (many are submersible) • ROV capabilities: • Reach hard to access areas e.g. soft bottom, contaminated, or other hazardous situations • Collect data remotely, minimize disturbances to the test area • Cover wide areas compared to fixed positions • Easy to deploy

30. ROV Prototypes

31. ROV Summary • The programmatic control of the vessel has been achieved • Chassis needs to be redesigned • Future • Add vision capabilities (cameras) • Autonomous navigation capabilities • Internet based control and data presentation • Shift toward scientific sensor integration and database connectivity

32. Corpus Christi’s WiFi Cyberinfrastructure

33. City’s WiFi Vision • The city of Corpus Christi’s wireless network is a strategic investment in the community that will allow residents, visitors and businesses an entry point to new markets and the benefits of the Internet and WiFi applications. The WiFi network will enable economic development, enhance governmental services, and reinforce educational opportunities.

34. City’s View of Benefits • Enables Educational, Retail and Entertainment Organizations to engage in ever expanding conveniences and services • Empowers private citizens to make better decisions based on more accurate information concerning City utilities and applications • Enables greater access to a wide variety of Low-Cost communication applications

35. Physical mesh network • Originally 24 square miles “live” • Enhancements to over 100 square miles

36. City Strategy - I • Government Network Service • AMR, Mobile Applications, Automated Vehicle Location, Internet Phone • Free Access to Community Portal • E-Government, Education, Health Care, News, Shopping • Value Added Services - Personal Productivity

37. City Strategy - II • E-Commerce Application Service Provider • Low Cost Online Store Front • Integrated Marketplace • Network Expansion • Digital Community Network Development and Management Service • Metro Area Communities and Beyond

38. Uniqueness of TAMU-CC CI • Only Metropolitan-Wide WiFi Network • Coastal WiFi and Marine Sensor Integration Opportunities • Development of mobile computing devices that take advantage of these capabilities • Multi-spectral data integration opportunities

39. Called to Serve

40. Questions and Preguntas John.Fernandez@tamucc.edu