Tennessee State University (TSU)

Year Two Report Summary (2001-2002)

Objective

The NRTS program was designed to provide infrastructure identification of needs, design of the necessary networks and systems, installation of the systems, and implementation of the use of the systems to extend High Speed Internet access to HBCUs in Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee.

The goals of the current project at TSU are to:

1. Develop on-line streaming video courses for Astronomy 1010 and Astronomy 1020;
   
   
2. Enhance the research and education capabilities and content of the MSET departments at TSU and partner institutions;
   
   
3. Collaborate with several partner institutions to disseminate education and research activities and materials; and
   
   
4. Encourage collaboration between partner institutions and the NASA centers and programs. Toward this end the NASA/TSU NRTS re-instituted the astronomy program at Tennessee State University.
   
   

Tennessee State University had been designated as a Center of Excellence for Astronomy research and education as a part of the NASA/TSU NRTS. To achieve the above goals, TSU hired Dr. Geoffrey Burks, an Astronomy-Educator, and reactivated the five astronomy courses that were previously offered at TSU.

This effort was such a success that the Astronomy program has been accepted as meeting the general science requirements of the university. A list of courses has also been approved for a science minor in astronomy for the university, which was first offered in the Fall Semester 2002.

The following details the activity of the TSU NRTS project as it relates to research, education, and technology:

Research Activity

The Tennessee State University held its 24th Annual TSU Research Day in 2002, in which 29 undergraduate, 3 graduate students, and one faculty member presented.

The second annual NASA/NSF/TSU Research Symposium boasted presentations by 31 undergraduate, 3 graduate students, and 8 faculty members from institutions such as, Kentucky State University, Western Kentucky State University, South Carolina State University, and the University of California at Los Angeles.

Additionally, TSU NRTS organized a two-day research presentation in Suffolk, VA on the subject of Developing Research Strategies.

Educational Activity

During 2002, TSU NRTS organized a number of workshops to promote educational training.

In April, Dr. Willard Smith (TSU) and Mr. Harry Schulte (UTEP) provided a training workshop focused on research opportunities, digital video production and streaming. A total of 84 people attended including 7 faculty, 2 students and 12 staff. Vanderbilt University also participated in this workshop.

The primary focus of the Astronomy 1010 and 1020 course structure development program is the testing of this effort and placing of these courses on the Internet. The initial and primary target population is the students at HBCU's and OMU's that do not offer astronomy as a part of their curriculum. The TSU commitment and interest in these courses has been more than expected.

The TSU NRTS also arranged three workshops of the New Mexico High School Super Computing Teachers Institute, one in the summer and two in the fall (2001 & 2002). Willard Smith instructed participants in topics such as NASA Materials in Math and Science, NASA Space and Earth Science, HTML, C++ for beginners, C++ Advanced, Internet Research, Unix, Project Management, Team Management.

In the fall of 2001, 513 people attended each workshop topic, which included 48 faculty and 12 staff. Teachers and students attended from 39 various New Mexico schools in math and science.

In the summer of 2002, 20 faculty attended from 16 New Mexico and Colorado Schools in Math and Science, as well as representatives from Tennessee State University, the University of New Mexico, San Juan College, and the New Mexico Institute for Mining and Technology.

In the fall of 2002, 313 people attended each of the same workshop topics as 2001 to include 58 faculty members.

Technology Activity

Tennessee State University has provided over $100,000 to completely renovate a multimedia lab and over $30,000 for development of a production facility for the multimedia needs of the courses.

For the academic year of 2001 to 2002, TSU NRTS achieved 11 electronic networks funded that are being leveraged to support research and education related activities, as well as deployed four new technologies in the region.

In total, 17 technology departments have participated in TSU NRTS research, education, and collaborative technology efforts.

Future Activities

As already mentioned, the TSU commitment and interest in Astronomy 1010 and 1020 courses was more than expected. As planning progressed, TSU NRTS were urged to structure the course to meet not only the audiences addressed above, but to include the following options:

1. One structure will be the traditional university lab science course with three semester hour credits for the lecture recitation and one hour credit for lab. This option will also require a research project as part of the student evaluation in addition to regular tests. This will result in a four-semester hour course.
   
   
2. The second option is the lecture recitation of the material and tests only. This will be a three-semester hour survey course.
   
   
3. The third option is a 4.5 CEU course with the program having the same content but no test or lab exercises required.
   
   

TSU will be working towards these goals.