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Shortage of qualified science/math teachers Out-of-date textbooks in science No funding for field trips/out-of-classroom activities Inadequate numbers in the science/math pipeline to meet the challenges of global competitiveness Issues 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: 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) Inputs Activities Outputs Outcomes Impact 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. Bandwidth to schools connected to education network increases by % Teachers experience measurable growth in content, pedagogical, and pedagogical content knowledge Provide teacher professional development through local universities equipment and resources provided to participating districts Students demonstrate increasingly greater success in STEM Plan, build, and support the necessary cyber- infrastructure 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 Every STEM student learns more richly than through traditional instructional methods. University faculty/researchers

Bandwidth Barrier S.T.E.M. Crisis Teacher Retention 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 % 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 the excitement of science discovery Leverages high speed networks and advanced media technologies to create lab to classroom experiences Provides ageless curricula consistently in sync with 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 Videoconferencing Teleimmersion/telepresence Remote control of scientific instrumentation Sensors, simulations Haptics 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. 14

A Typical K-12 System in Georgia. 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. In the evenings and weekends, delay is 5 milliseconds. 15

A K-12 System Connected to Peachnet. 2.2 milliseconds 2.4 milliseconds 001e.4fbf.e53d 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. Immediately see usage 2- 3x previous capacity. 17 District upgraded from 20 Mbps to 150 Mbps (using PeachNet).

Upgrade 18 District added additional 2xT1. Immediately maxed-out again. So does more capacity really mean less congestion?

Upgrade 19 The network should not be the bottleneck. 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 Development To 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! – 23