Human Networking: A University, High School and Industry Partnership

Ken Ronkowitz ronkowitz@njit.eduJahanzeb Jabbar jabbar@njit.edu

Bio info

• Ken Ronkowitz

• 25 years in education

• At NJIT since 2000

• Manager of Instructional Technology

• Jahanzeb Jabbar

• 8 years in IT

• At NJIT since 2005

• Private/Govt. sector

• Manager of Network Resources

Position Abstract

• Manager of Instructional Technology– Using tech in

classrooms– Professional

development– Grants,

partnerships

• Manager of Network Resources– Offer unique tech

solutions• Application merge,

Wireless, I2– Site-based services

formerly done by CO– Level 2 support for

building tech. coordinator

– Consult on infrastructure upgrades

What is the human

network?

Partners

Partnership Goals

1) Retool technology vision of school

2) Systemic plan for enhanced student learning

3) Bridge expertise gap - funding

4) Development and support of emerging tech.

5) Educator skill development

6) Test bed for turn-key solutions

7) Supportive external connections

8) Student-centered learning

Private industry tenants of Science Park collaborate with University Heights schools and recognize the competitive business advantage of being physically adjacent to the universities with whom they have established cooperative research, licensing and development agreements.

• Newark School District– student population 42,000 - largest in NJ– one of the oldest (dates back to 1676, Barringer High

School is the third oldest public high school in the nation)

– 82 schools - 12 high schools.

• SPHS = first new HS built in 39 years

Science Park High Schoolis a magnet school that

prepares students in grades 7-12 for academic

careers for STEM academic careers.

History: SHS to SPHS• 2005 SHS enrollment = 575 students• It was the 53rd-ranked public high school in

New Jersey out of 316 schools statewide (New Jersey Monthly, September 2006 “Top Public High Schools”)

Groundbreaking 2004

Opened November 2006

• 275,000 square-feet on a six-acre site.

• Enrollment not to exceed 1200 students with a grade range between the 7-12th grades.

• For 2007/2008 = 906

SPHS Infrastructure

NJIT

SPHS LAN

Central Office

Streaming Media

Imaging/Proxy

Applications/File Storage

GIS DB Language

Administrative

Internet Internet 2

NPS Firewall

SPHS User

Instructional Administrative

• Wikis, blogs, podcasting…

• Intranet

• Videoconferencing, Internet2

• Integrated Network

• Content Filtering

• Locked-down computers (applets, mp3, streaming media…)

• Admin/Instructional “networks”

Transformation

Value-Added Infrastructure• GIS

– Specialized support

• Hardware/Network Requirements

• Language Lab– Dedicated Lab– Dedicated

Server• Diverse Platforms

– Microsoft & Apple OS

• Digital Media– On Demand

content retrieval– Live digital

television

Fabrication Room

• To be used in art, math, science, computer apps classes

• Rapid prototyping

• CAD design

• 3D scanner & printer, laser cutter, 3D routers, spray booth, clean room air/gas/drains…

Engineering

• Engineering technology is a component of the curriculum and of the building aesthetic

• http://www.infinity-project.org Math and Science Meet the Real World.

• Curriculum designed to complement the existing mix of math and science classes. – Using math and science to create and design new technologies

that focus on topics of interest to students: Internet, cell phones, digital video, movie special effects, & electronic music.

School As Tool

• photovoltaic solar cells and geothermal energy sources for heating and cooling.

• The geothermal heating and cooling is a closed loop heat pump system with 384 bore holes, 450 feet deep located over the playing fields and parking lot and serves the high efficiency water source heat pumps. Energy recovery units re-capture exhaust air temperature to provide energy savings and comfort.

• Roof-mounted photovoltaic solar panels generate a maximum of 25KW of electricity in a grid connected system. Power is also "Net-Metered" so that the school can benefit from selling electricity back to the Utility provider when excess power is produced.

PARTNERSHIPSPARTNERSHIPS

Medibotics: Merging Medicine, Robotics and IT (National Science Foundation ITest Grant)

• Using robotics to expose students grades 6-12 to the STEM fields– From the Dept. of Biomedical Engineering's Freshman

Engineering Design class

• Hands-on design principles by creating a robot from scratch that simulates a medical procedure/surgery

• Ten surgeries that are age-appropriate including cardiovascular, dermatology & dentistry.

• Students learn about motors, gears, torque, basic programming, surgical procedures, physiology… in a problem-based learning hands-on format.

Phlebotomy Robot

Student Research – Biology - Extracurricular

• Protein isolation

• Neurotransmitters/Toxins

• Alcohol addiction

• Cancer research

Partners: Ferreira Construction Group• Providing professional

services to integrate state of the art HVAC controls to all of the Newark Public Schools. The project also includes integration of computerized HVAC controls into classrooms for educational study.

• Electronic Field Trips– send/receive

• Creating an interactive display from SPHS on the school’s energy system.

• GIS program

Partners:

Geographical Information Systems GIS

• Partners as resources– Meadowlands

Environmental Research Institute (MERI)

GIS - Greater Newark Conservancy

• Partners as clients

• Authentic research opportunities for students

Partners As Clients - PHRI

• Mapping Tuberculosis and MRSA distributions in NJ

GIS Program

• Introductory Geodesy unit in grade 9

• Electives grades 10-12

PEDAGOGY

Guiding Student Research

Guided study for students to develop knowledge and skills through a student research program.

University Sponsored Technology Centers in Newark

Center for Biomaterials & Medical Devices

Center for Communication & Signal Processing

Center for Human & Molecular Genetics

Center for Molecular & Behavioral Neuroscience

Center for Manufacturing Systems

Center for Optoelectronics

Center for Processing of Plastics Packaging

Emission Reduction Research Center

Hazardous Substance Management Research Center

Institute for Transportation

Microelectronics Research Center

Multi-Lifecycle Engineering Research Center

New Jersey Center for Multimedia Research

New Jersey Center for Engineered Particulates

C²PRISM http://c2prism.njit.edu/ Computation and Communication: Promoting Research Integration

in Science and Mathematics

• Prepare urban students/teachers in STEM

• NSF + NJIT contributions• Strengthen HS curricula & methodology (Perth Amboy,

Newark, Union City and Orange)

• places NJIT doctoral students in classrooms with teachers to develop curricula in mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology

• teach students how to formulate significant questions, think analytically & offer creative solutions - while NJIT students learn how to explain & apply their research, and communicate more effectively

The Human Network isconnecting

• faculty from both schools

• partners– industry– other colleges– magnet schools– museums, science centers