An REU Experience with Wireless Sensor Networks Research

Xiaojing Yuan; Heidar Malki; Gangbing Song

Download Paper | Permalink

Conference: 2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Publication Date: June 23, 2013
Start Date: June 23, 2013
End Date: June 26, 2013
ISSN: 2153-5965
Conference Session: Interdisciplinary and Undergraduate Research in Engineering Technology
Tagged Division: Engineering Technology
Page Count: 7
Page Numbers: 23.184.1 - 23.184.7
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--19198
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/19198
Download Count: 495

Paper Authors

biography

Xiaojing Yuan University of Houston (CoT)

visit author page

Dr. Xiaojing Yuan is Associate Professor in the Computer Engineering Technology program of Engineering Technology Department. She is the founder and director of the ISGRIN research lab and actively incorporating undergraduate research activities as part of final project requirements in several undergraduate junior and senior level courses dealing with sensors, instrumentation, and microprocessor hardware and software. Her research interest includes wireless sensor network, quality-of-service enhanced networking protocols, pattern recognition, and data mining.

visit author page

author page

Heidar Malki University of Houston (CoT)

author page

Gangbing Song University of Houston (CoE)

Download Paper | Permalink

Abstract

An REU Experience with Wireless Sensor Networks ResearchAbstractUnder an NSF REU Site grant (EEC-0755516) entitled “Undergraduate Research in SensorNetworks and Security Infrastructure,” the Departments of Engineering Technology andMechanical Engineering at the University of Houston hosted three groups of 12 students fromdifferent backgrounds for 10 weeks each in Summers 2008, 2009, and 2010 respectively. Theresearch effort involved is part of an ongoing research program developing novel methods(modeling, networking protocol, optimization, and applications) enabling widespread adoption ofwireless sensor network technologies and other emerging convergence technologies. During2008-2010 we recruited 35 REU participants, 34% of whom were underrepresented and minoritystudents. The fellows came from universities and colleges in 18 states across the nation. Many ofthese students came from historically black or minority serving universities and colleges. Arecent survey showed that, among the 12 respondents, over 36% reported that they are attendinggraduate school. All but one is either in school (finishing their STEM undergraduate degree orpursuing STEM graduate degree) or employed in respective STEM field. Four respondents werealready attending graduate school, 3 students indicated they would “definitely” be enrolling ingraduate school. Four more students suggested they were considering going to graduate school.In addition, seven papers involving REU students were published in peer reviewed technicalconferences [12-19], one of which received the best paper award in ASEE-GSW Conference[13]. In addition, projects from fellows studying at the University of Houston have been awardedfirst and second place during the university wide undergraduate research day in 2008 and 2009.Collectively, the REU-Site project successfully produced several prototype systems advancingthe state-of-art for an important area of wireless sensor networks while offering a stimulatingexperience for undergraduate students. Assessment of the student experience showed an increasein the likelihood for these students to pursue engineering careers and to encourage their peers toconsider STEM careers.

Citation
Format

Yuan, X., & Malki, H., & Song, G. (2013, June), An REU Experience with Wireless Sensor Networks Research Paper presented at 2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Atlanta, Georgia. 10.18260/1-2--19198

TY  - CPAPER
AB  -                 An REU Experience with Wireless Sensor Networks ResearchAbstractUnder an NSF REU Site grant (EEC-0755516) entitled “Undergraduate Research in SensorNetworks and Security Infrastructure,” the Departments of Engineering Technology andMechanical Engineering at the University of Houston hosted three groups of 12 students fromdifferent backgrounds for 10 weeks each in Summers 2008, 2009, and 2010 respectively. Theresearch effort involved is part of an ongoing research program developing novel methods(modeling, networking protocol, optimization, and applications) enabling widespread adoption ofwireless sensor network technologies and other emerging convergence technologies. During2008-2010 we recruited 35 REU participants, 34% of whom were underrepresented and minoritystudents. The fellows came from universities and colleges in 18 states across the nation. Many ofthese students came from historically black or minority serving universities and colleges. Arecent survey showed that, among the 12 respondents, over 36% reported that they are attendinggraduate school. All but one is either in school (finishing their STEM undergraduate degree orpursuing STEM graduate degree) or employed in respective STEM field. Four respondents werealready attending graduate school, 3 students indicated they would “definitely” be enrolling ingraduate school. Four more students suggested they were considering going to graduate school.In addition, seven papers involving REU students were published in peer reviewed technicalconferences [12-19], one of which received the best paper award in ASEE-GSW Conference[13]. In addition, projects from fellows studying at the University of Houston have been awardedfirst and second place during the university wide undergraduate research day in 2008 and 2009.Collectively, the REU-Site project successfully produced several prototype systems advancingthe state-of-art for an important area of wireless sensor networks while offering a stimulatingexperience for undergraduate students. Assessment of the student experience showed an increasein the likelihood for these students to pursue engineering careers and to encourage their peers toconsider STEM careers.
AU  - Xiaojing Yuan
AU  - Heidar Malki
AU  - Gangbing Song
CY  - Atlanta, Georgia
DA  - 2013/06/23
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - An REU Experience with Wireless Sensor Networks Research
UR  - https://peer.asee.org/19198
DO  - 10.18260/1-2--19198
ER  -