Morgan State University Hosts Computing Academy

  

 

 

 

 

 

At Morgan State University (Baltimore, MD), the Academy in Computing introduces pre-college students to the many applications of high performance computing tools and techniques. Morgan State University, a member of the AHPCRC consortium, established this academy in autumn 2007 as its AHPCRC academic-year outreach component. During this initial session, 50 students spent eight hours every Saturday for ten weeks learning about computer-related applications that addressed weather prediction, global climate change, homeland security, space technology, genetic manipulation, and other related topics.

Under the supervision of Myra Curtis, Retention Support Specialist, and with a cadre of current undergraduate assistants, participants are learning about key occurrences in the evolution of computing, how these occurrences helped define the state of computing today, and where the field might be heading. Instructors introduce core principles of teamwork, personal time management, the development of leadership skills, and critical thinking practices. Participants also gain hands-on experience and are planning curriculum-related field trips.

The Computing Academy requires that each student be afforded an opportunity to assemble a computer that will be used as a critical resource in their subsequent participation in future phases of the Academy. The future phases will include programming, networking, concepts of distributed computing, and progressive complexities of computing through actual modeling and simulation of phenomena.

The program includes an assessment component geared towards maximizing impact and effectiveness in knowledge transfer and appreciation for high performance computing by students from a variety of backgrounds, including those from predominantly minority and underserved urban communities. Students are introduced to the concept of problems where the number of unknowns is typically on the order of thousands, perhaps millions or billions. They learn about iterative computing processes requiring large amounts of memory and fast computational time. In addition, they learn about developments in the visualization and interpretation of the results of these complex calculations.

As students participate actively in design projects, they learn how to work responsibly in teams, develop leadership skills, and learn about time management. They attend classes that enhance their skills in mathematics as well as English, with a focus on critical thinking, writing, and speaking skills.

The learning goes both ways—the mentors, students in the School of Engineering, coordinate and operate the Saturday Academy program, in collaboration with the pre-college program director. Through planning, developing, and implementing the Academy programs, they learn skills in leadership, teaching, and teamwork. This experience also involves them actively with the administration of the School of Engineering and helps them plan their future careers.

Students have returned for the Spring 2008 semester, ready to continue learning aspects of computing such as building personal computers from kits, installing and understanding operating systems, and an introduction to fundamental programming skills. A similar program will be developed for the Summer 2008 session.

Source: AHPCRC Bulletin, Vol. 1 No. 2