Proposal

Narrative

In September 2018, the Deans of the College of Science and Undergraduate Studies signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create a Science Learning Center (SLC) within the Center for Teaching And Learning. This new center “will allow for the creation of a dedicated space with expanded hours to provide intensive support for students in our [science] courses.” The SLC will support students in many of FAU’s historically difficult courses offered through the Departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Geosciences, and Exercise Science along with science-based courses from the College of Nursing. By providing further academic support for some of FAU’s most difficult science courses, the SLC aligns with FAU’s Strategic Plan for the Race to Excellence, 2015-2025. Before opening to support a plethora of science courses, the pilot of the SLC will focus on supporting students in introductory anatomy courses (e.g., BSC 2085, BSC 2086, BSC 2085L and BSC 2086L) during the Spring 2019 semester. In January 2019 and prior to the awarding of technology fee disbursements, the SLC pilot space will open with a few anatomical models. Upon receipt of the funds requested through this proposal, our staff would be able to immediately incorporate all of the requested technology solutions. Furthermore, the requested technology solutions will have broad applications beyond the introductory anatomy courses and thus will be able to support student learning in other courses within biological sciences, nursing and exercise science. Once the full SLC opens in our 4,000 square foot facility in Fall 2019 (anticipated), all of these technology solutions will become focal points to entice students into our center. Please see attached supplement for expanded narrative that includes how this project aligns with FAU's strategic plan and BOG metrics as well as descriptions on how all of the requested technology will be applied to benefit student learning in the SLC.

Facilities

In Spring 2019, the SLC pilot will take place in General Classroom South (GS), Room 225. The SLC will then move to the space that the Math Learning Center currently occupies, or GS 211. Both of these spaces are currently outfitted as learning center spaces. Thus, they are both outfitted with the furniture and infrastructure to support the addition of the requested technology solutions. The Center for Teaching and Learning, where both of these suites are located, is outfitted with a security system and magnetic locking entrances to ensure the security for all of our technology solutions. Given the aforementioned space transition, all of the technology solutions listed in this proposal are mobile. Depending on date of arrival, it will be feasible for them to be incorporated into the pilot program in GS 225 and then transitioned to GS 211 at no additional cost.

Hardware Requirements

Virtual Reality Learning Stations 3 Alienware Aurora PCs (Processor: Intel i7 8700k; Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 GDDR5; Memory: 16GB DDR4 2666MHz) 6 Oculus Rift VR sets Active Learning Displays Small Group Display 1 LG Electronics 49-in 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV 1 Peerless SmartMount Universal Flat Panel TV Cart 1 Barco ClickShare CS-100 - wireless video/audio extender Large Group Display 1 Epson PowerLite 107 - 3LCD projector - portable - LAN 1 Epson Ultra Portable Projector Screen ES3000 - projection screen with tripod 1 Bretford Presentation Cart with 4" Casters Display Supplements 1 Wolfvision VZ-3neo desktop camera 1 AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable, 10 Feet, 2-Pack Computers for Active Learning Displays & Guided Study w/ Anatomy Software 3 Dell Precision 7520 Laptops 2 27-inch iMacs with Retina 5K display 3 OptiPlex 7060 Small Form Factor PCs 1 Dell 34 Curved Monitor: P3418HW 2 Dell 27 Monitor: P2719H 3 Logitech Wireless Rechargeable Touchpads T650 2 Apple Magic Trackpad 2s Microscope Stations 5 Olympus CX23-100X Microscope Kits Technology Security 3 Kensington MicroSaver Keyed Laptop Locks 3 Kensington Desktop and Peripherals Locking Kits 1 Wall Storage Cabinet with Oak-Framed Glass Doors, 36" W

Software Requirements

6 one-time purchases of Organon VR Anatomy 2 annual seat licenses for Visible Body Anatomy & Physiology x 3 years 2 annual seat licenses for Visible Body Physiology Animations x 3 years 1 TutorTrac profile license (one-time) 1 TutorTrac Profile Annual Renewal x 3 years

Personnel Costs

N/A - This project will be implemented and supported by existing staff

Other Costs

N/A

Timeline

Since the SLC pilot will begin before awarded proposals are funded, all of the requested equipment will be implemented into our pilot as soon as it is received. We expect this to be fully implemented by late Spring 2019 or early Summer 2019.

Sustainability

This proposal consists of mainly one-time hardware costs and minimal recurring costs. Since we have individuals in our center who are familiar with the requested technology, it also does not require any additional personnel costs. Therefore, this proposal is sustainable from a financial perspective. We anticipate that the requested technology will be used for 3-5 years before needing any upgrades. Future upgrades may be submitted as future Technology Fee Grant proposals or funded through Undergraduate Studies or the College of Science. Therefore, this proposal is also sustainable from a technology perspective. Additional software renewals will be funded by Undergraduate Studies and/or the College of Science. New software purchases may be submitted on future Technology Fee Grant proposals. Our colleges/departments are committed to maintaining our facility.

Resource Matching

N/A

Implementing Organization

The Center for Learning and Student Success will work in concert with Biology faculty to implement this project.