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An REU Experience with Wireless Sensor Networks Research

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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

435

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Paper Authors

biography

Xiaojing Yuan University of Houston (CoT)

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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.

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Heidar Malki University of Houston (CoT)

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Gangbing Song University of Houston (CoE)

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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.

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

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