Proposal

Narrative

Applying classroom knowledge to interesting projects that have a use in our community or the world, is typically a very rewarding experience. This is what participation in a research project does. With FAU's growing research portfolio, more and more research projects are available for student participation. Yet, very often little information gets out to students on what opportunities exist, and whom to approach for these opportunities. Plus, if you do not know the faculty, would you go and contact them? The Division of Research, together with the Office for Undergraduate Research and Inquiry (OURI) has developed an online tool that takes away these problems, allows students to search through available projects, and express their interest in a non-threatening, non-intimidating environment. We are proposing to widen the distribution and accessibility of these research projects to more, if not all students by putting up kiosks in prominent locations at FAU's campuses and run the online tool on it. The precise location of the kiosks will be determined in discussion with student groups to maximize accessibility. The tool itself lists all available projects, and tells the students information about the faculty proposing the project. If you are interested in a project, you can indicate that interest by pushing "I want to collaborate" and start a conversation with the faculty. Or, if you prefer, you can involve the Division of Research to make introductions. The current software already has more than 1000 users, almost 800 of which are students. 150 students have applied for participation in projects, several of which have already started their research projects. This addition will allow such easy access that we can reach virtually every student, and won’t have this tool as the “best kept secret” any longer. Let’s come together and do some innovative research! Participation in a research project will make your studies more interesting, and your grades better.

Facilities

None required

Hardware Requirements

10x TXJ-27M Touchscreen, 27" diagonal LCD ($2,378 each), supplied with model P5 heavy duty tilt back kiosk touch stand = $23,780; see supporting documentation.

Software Requirements

standard internet browser

Personnel Costs

Installation of kiosks across campus - $5,000

Other Costs

None

Timeline

The monitors/kiosks will be ordered as soon as funds become available, and installed upon arrival. The software is in existence, and hence does not require additional development to deploy. Estimated start date of use of kiosks: Fall semester 2020.

Sustainability

Minor maintenance of hardware is required that can be covered by the Division of Research; DoR is in support of the software, and regular updates will become available through that support.

Resource Matching

The Division of Research is supporting the software development, as well as sustainability of the kiosks upon installation.

Implementing Organization

The software was developed under the Division of Research who will implement this project. Colleagues from other divisions will be asked to collaborate, as needed.