Proposal

Name:

The innovative laboratory site to enhance research experience through discovery for undergraduates.

FiscalYear:

2018

Audience:

Science, College of

Submitter:

Oleinik, Anton

Budget Manager:

Blanchard, Dominique

Project Manager:

Oleinik, Anton E

Proposal Approvers

Dept. Chair:

Xie, Zhixiao

Local IT:

N/A

Dean:

Sarajedini, Ata

Facilities:

N/A

OIT:

Bagdonas, Joseph A.

Proposal Funding

Year 1:

$ 0.00

Year 2:

$ 0.00

Year 3:

$ 0.00

Total:

$ 0.00

Proposal Funding versus Average

Questionnaire

Narrative
The FAU strategic plan clearly outlines an importance of undergraduate research and inquiry, distinction through discovery, and research experiences that promote scholarship and graduation. That implies that every department should focus on training of next generation of scientists and professionals, stimulate critical thinking, bring cutting-edge research and technology into the mainstream of education, and enhance knowledge through discovery. This proposal is focused on converting a 882 sq ft room in T5 building into an innovative teaching lab for undergraduate students interested in the earth science and paleontology. The lab will provide students a unique opportunity to use a cutting edge research techniques in geology and paleontology to do a discovery-based, hands-on research with potentially publishable outcome. The lab will teach students essential skills that are currently required from geosciences graduates, but not being offered because of lack of funding and facilities. The lab will greatly enhance existing departmental instructional facilities. It will accommodate 60 to 80 undergraduate students annually for specific course exercises and enhanced training. Courses and number of students per year are listed under “Sustainability” and “Implementing Org.” Examples of activities for students: current industrial techniques of analyzing core drill materials, preparation and assembly of vertebrate and invertebrate fossils, mastering cutting edge digital photography (EDF) techniques. The findings can be instantly projected on the large LCD screen and translated via network across campus if needed. The lab experience will help to build up resumes of the department graduates and make them more competitive candidates for employment in private consulting companies, as well as in government and state agencies. The purpose of the lab perfectly matching department strategic plan of producing geosciences graduates for today’s and tomorrow’s Florida industry.
Facilities
Room 8 (882 sq feet) in the T5 building on Boca Raton Campus is 882 square foot and is currently underutilized for instruction. Main problem preventing its use for instructional purposes is broken AC units and lack of adequate equipment.
Hardware Requirements
Stereomicroscope and digital imaging hardware and software Leica 59D stereomicroscope with illumination system, table stand, dual-arm ball-bearing boom stand, Jenoptic Progres ARKTUR 8 Mpix digital camera, and EDF Progres Gryphon Software $8279.20 Computer hardware dedicated to digital imaging: Dell OptiPlex 5060MT XCTO with Dell Ultra Sharp 24” Infinite Edge Monitor U2417H $1,815.23 Sample preparation equipment Comco Accu-Flo micro-abrasive blaster $3,960.00 Comco ProCenter Plus sample preparation work station $5,377.50 Large LCD display and dedicated computer for large image projections. Samsung BE82N 82” LFD 4K (3840-2160) ultra HD LCD display $2,744.09 Tripp Lite Mobile TV floor stand cart height-adjustable LCD 60 – 100” display $367.40 Dell OptiPlex 706OMFF – dedicated to LCD $837.52
Software Requirements
Windows 10 operating system and PROGRES GRYPHAX Software - as included in costs in the hardware section and original quotes (Supporting Documentation)
Personnel Costs
NONE
Other Costs
2 AC units installation – price as quoted by FAU Physical Plant Management Services $2,000.00
Timeline
Within the year, pending funding
Sustainability
The anticipated life expectancy for computer equipment – 5 years, for non-computer hardware – i.e. microscopes and sample preparation equipment 8 – 15 years. Geosciences undergraduate majors in the following courses will benefit from using the lab: GLY 4750C; Field Methods 22 – 24 students per year GLY 4500C Stratigraphy and Sedimentation 19 - 24 students per year GLY 3603C Paleontology 20 - 24 students per year GLY 4790 Senior Field Camp 10 – 18 students per year.
Resource Matching
Department of Geosciences maintains computer teaching labs with approximately 100 computers with various software for instructional activities and research. Department also have an extended collection of rocks, minerals, and fossils that is going to be used in the project. Department of Geosciences can provide a Teachng Assistant support for extended lab sessions in Paleontology and Sedimentology-Stratigraphy courses. Dr. Oleinik’s lab will contribute an air scribe and compressor (total cost of ~ $1200) to the project. Mr. Robert DePalma (affiliate faculty) private finding (currently $20,000.00) for field work related to the Late Cretaceous record of the western USA to obtain samples that will be used in teaching.
Implementing Organization
Charles E. Schmidt College of Sciences, Department of Geosciences, Florida Atlantic University. Faculty: Anton E. Oleinik Geosciences undergraduate majors in the following courses will benefit from using the lab: GLY 4750C; Field Methods 22 – 24 students per year GLY 4500C Stratigraphy and Sedimentation 19 - 24 students per year GLY 3603C Paleontology 20 - 24 students per year GLY 4790 Senior Field Camp 10 – 18 students per year.

Proposal Budget

Fiscal Year 1 Fiscal Year 2 Fiscal Year 3 Total
Hardware One-Time $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Hardware Recurring $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Software One-time $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Software Recurring $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Personnel One-time $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Personnel Recurring $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Other One-time $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Other Recurring $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Totals $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00

Supporting Documentation

Filename Size Description
1BWYM3S CDWG screen quote.pdf 68,399b Large LCD Screen quote
Comco Accu-Flo sample prep station Quote.pdf 115,415b Sample Preparation Station
Dell eQuote computer for LCD Screen.pdf 28,100b Computer dedicated to the large LCD screen
Dell eQuote 1021798452186 digital camera computer.pdf 44,269b Computer dedicated to advanced digital imaging
Spectra services Quote Nov 2018.pdf 75,184b Microscope, digital camera, and EDF software
T5 AC request 1.pdf 38,105b Request to repair AC in room 8 denied
T5 AC request.pdf 37,926b Request to repair AC in room 8