Sensor networks are considered one of the "10 Emerging Technologies That Will Change the World". Teaching sensor network concepts is challenging because the field draws upon a disparate set of computing disciplines. For sensor network programming education, some "tutorials" exist, but their target audience is largely graduate students and professional researchers.
The PIs' experience shows that the presentation of these tutorials is difficult for undergraduate students as they do not have the prerequisite knowledge necessary. In the past, no lab exercises were available that are appropriate for activity-based teaching of this new and exciting field to undergraduates.
To fill this void, this CSR-CSI project is developing exemplary laboratory exercises at two institutions: Lewis & Clark College, a small private liberal arts institution, and Portland State University, a Ph.D.-granting research university. With input from students, industrial advisors, and an educational consultant, the PIs are developing exemplary lab exercises, identifying topics that are appropriate, clarifying prerequisite knowledge and preparatory material, and presenting the material in a format that is suitable for undergraduates.
The intellectual merits of this work are in clarifying the prerequisite knowledge to employing and programming sensor networks, and building a foundation for teaching these topics to undergraduates. This project also enriches the scientific and engineering research capability of the US, and provide undergraduates with activity-based learning. The effectiveness of the materials is tested on undergraduates at institutions serving a large population of minorities and women.
In 2003, MIT Technology Review named wireless sensor networks as "one of the ten technologies that will change the world in the 21st century." Wireless sensor networks are networks of miniaturized devices with integrated sensing, computing and communication capabilities, distinguished by the fact that sensors coordinate amongst themselves to collaboratively sense and detect an event. It has been predicted that within a few years, many assembly lines, fields and nursing homes will be equipped with sensor network devices, prodding factory foremen to replace faulty machines, farmers to water fields, and nurses to check on things unusual. However, this potential will only be realized if we educate the next generation of engineers and scientists to design, program and build sensor networks. Teaching sensor network concepts is challenging. In the past, no lab exercises were available that are appropriate for activity-based teaching of this new and exciting field to undergraduates. To fill this void, this project has developed exemplary laboratory exercises using Java-programmable Sun SPOT devices. With input from students, industrial advisors, and an educational consultant, the principal investigators have been developing exemplary lab exercises, identifying topics that are appropriate, clarifying prerequisite knowledge and preparatory material, and presenting the material in a format that is suitable for undergraduates. The intellectual merits and broader impact of this work are in clarifying the prerequisite knowledge to employing and programming sensor networks, and building a foundation for teaching these topics to undergraduates. This project has also enriched the scientific and engineering research capability of the US, and provided undergraduates with activity-based learning. The effectiveness of the materials has been evaluated three times at two universities. Students gained knowledge in sensor networking concepts such as low-power wireless communication, localization, power management, macro-programming and security. In addition, we have provided research experiences to a total of 13 undergraduate students (in summers 2007 to 2010). One undergraduate student won the "Best Poster" award at the CCSC-NW conference. Overall, our results were presented at ten conferences.
