SPICE: Classroom Modernization

Applicant:
Honggang Wang

Collaborators:
Simeng Li, Civil Engineering, College of Engineering CPP

Amount Funded:
$25,900.00

Proposal Abstract:
To facilitate and promote CPP’s mission for a diverse culture of experiential learning, discovery, and innovation, we propose this project to build a suite of instructional tools that can be accessed, distributed, and experimented both physically and virtually. The outcomes of this project will not only provide innovative instructional equipment and tools for flexible learning environments in general, but also produce widely accessible curriculum packages specifically for engaging students in earth environment and community sustainability. Like all California residents, CPP students have been facing one critical environmental and community challenge: scarce water resources. Water is very limited particularly in Southern California and water resource management is crucial for our community ecosystems and resident well-being. 

The objectives of the project are twofold: building a water treatment testbed with interconnected IoT devices and a virtual water plant based on that. The testbed, as structured in Figure 1, is a lab-scale water production system with fundamental components as real-life water treatment facilities. The automation of the testbed enabled by the IoT devices offers extensive uses for instructional purpose: data collection, cyber-physical process analysis, remote learning and visualization of complex systems, AI-powered smart production, and data-driven facilities management. In addition to the physical testbed, we will also build a “digital-twin” for it – a computer simulation based virtual water plant. The virtual plant will be built upon a set of process blocks and links that can be easily modified and rearranged for different water processes and security features via a web interface. Thus, this virtual water plant allows students to experience complex process design, test cybersecurity for IoT networks, and manage critical facilities remotely as individuals or virtual teams.

Applicant:
Wei Yu

Amount Funded:
$24,000.00

Proposal Abstract:
Integration of the Bloomberg Software and Analytics into our Finance curriculum has proven to be exceptionally successful, including consecutive FIRST PLACE win in the 2020 and 2021 Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Society investment competition and the opportunity to manage a portfolio of $75,000 for the CFA Orange County Foundation and a total portfolio of $320,000; recognition by the CFA Institute, the largest global organization for investment professionals, as the sixth CFA Institute University Affiliation Program (CFA UAP) in Southern California; successful development of Master of Science in Financial analysis curriculum, donor pledge to the Student Managed Investment Fund, and student career opportunities at prestigious companies. The application of Bloomberg software into the Finance curriculum is crucial for generating these financial and educational returns.

Given the challenges of remote instruction during the pandemic, the Finance, Real Estate and Law department swiftly responded by providing faculty and students 24/7 virtual access to Bloomberg terminals. The virtual access relaxed the space and time constraints of the physical lab and resulted in more than 50% increase in active users and expanded use of Bloomberg terminals in 90% of the student investment analysis and portfolio research. It also made it more inclusive for low-income work-study students, who previously had schedule conflicts with physical lab hours, to have terminal access at their fingertips at all times.

The purpose of this proposal is to renew the Bloomberg software in the FRL finance lab. The Bloomberg software is the financial industry standard software utilized worldwide by portfolio managers, stockbrokers, and financial professionals. Out of 517 Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accredited business schools, 274 (53%) schools have a finance lab, of which 68% of the finance labs use Bloomberg as the software solution. Continuous subscription to the Bloomberg software is essential for our finance curriculum to stay current with technology and analytics tools in the financial industry, and is congruent with Cal Poly Pomona's strategic initiatives. The Bloomberg software provides our students real-time transactional experience and analysis for almost all financial markets, exemplifies experiential learning in financial curriculum, promotes integrative learning, discovery and creativity in the best polytechnic ""learning-by-doing"" tradition, bestows skills highly valued in the financial services job market, and enhances student success in a diverse learning environment. Furthermore, the Bloomberg software will empower finance, real estate, and other business students with the hands-on knowledge and real-world experience they need in the competitive job markets, and attract future graduate students to our new Master of Science Program in Financial Analysis.

Applicant:
Alison Baker

Collaborators:
Alyssa Kermad, Olga Griswold, and Amalia Llombart

Amount Funded:
$17,445.00

Proposal Abstract:
We are submitting this “Modernizing Classroom Equipment” SPICE proposal to create the Language and Linguistics Laboratory in the Department of English and Modern Languages. We request funding to create a space where English and Spanish majors as well as EML graduate students and minors in French, Chinese, Spanish, TESOL, and Writing Studies can use hands-on cutting-edge tools for their class projects, research studies, and professionalization in languages, rhetorics (especially digital rhetorics), and linguistics. We hope to receive the funding that will allow us to purchase:

• Equipment and software for analyzing the physical properties of speech
• Licensed access to Spanish and English language corpora (i.e., large collections of linguistic data in the form of texts in a variety of genres, audio-recordings of speech, TV and radio programming, etc., used widely in linguistics courses and for empirical research in all sub-fields of linguistics).
• Software for conducting syntactic analysis and representing its results in print/online.
• Access to Ethnologue – the largest and most authoritative database of world languages that provides statistical and raw data for sociolinguistic and demographic analyses of linguistic diversity
• Two computers and monitors, two keyboard/mouse duos, headsets, and the necessary furnishings for the lab space to allow students to work in the lab on their class projects, research projects, independent studies, RSCA presentations, etc.

Applicant:
Zahra Sotoudeh

Collaborators:
Steve Dobbs

Amount Funded:
$29,250.00

Proposal Abstract:
"Our objective is to enhance the aerospace engineering curriculum, particularly in structural dynamics, by introducing a series of experiments at the industry level standards, with applications to 1) quasi-static structural deformation control, 2) vibration energy harvesting with structural vibration suppression, and 3) ground vibration test actuation using smart materials. We propose using piezoelectric (PZT) materials with coupling between mechanical and electric domains. We request funding to purchase the required equipment, develop suitable experiment modules for sustainable use in our Aero-Structure Lab (ARO3570L) course, create the supporting documents, including lab manual and instructional videos, and train our lecturers who frequently teach this course.

Smart materials have become a critical component of sensor solutions and have increasing applications in the aerospace industry. At the aerospace engineering department, our mission is to graduate students who are ready for today’s industry and are ahead of the curve for tomorrow’s jobs. The addition of these experiments gives our students a competitive edge compared to graduates of other aerospace engineering programs with a more traditional Aero-Structure Lab course. Since this course is a required course, this grant will impact all our students."

Applicant:
Mehrdad Haghi

Amount Funded:
$24,314.00

Proposal Abstract:
A state of the art optical extensometer is proposed to replace an old mechanical clip-on extensometer. The new equipment will be used by more than 350 students every year in required labs, in addition to greatly expanding the capabilities of the testing machine to which it will be mounted for both class experiments and undergraduate and graduate research. Because the proposed equipment is non-contact, it is far more robust and less prone to damage than the current mechanical extensometer. In addition, the equipment can be used to test advanced materials (polymers, ceramics, composites) which are currently difficult or impossible to test with the old equipment.

Applicant:
Shokoufeh Mirzaei

Collaborators:
Ellips Masehian

Amount Funded:
$29,949.77

Proposal Abstract:
Composite are applied in many high-tech industries because of their superior combination of high-strength and lightweight properties. The widespread use of this material has been limited due to the long lead-time and high production costs in the conventional processing setting. However, the development of additive manufacturing, specifically Fiber 3D Printer, allows the production of composite at lower cost with shorter lead-time. This printer will provide the students and faculty at Cal Poly Pomona with access to this high-end material. While this technology will be implemented in the manufacturing courses, any students at Cal Poly Pomona will be able to utilize the printer through the Student Innovation Idea Labs. Composite materials and processing are essential to keep the students up-to-date to the technology and to prepare them for the modern manufacturing workforce and entrepreneurship. A total of $29,615 is requested to fulfill this project.

Applicant:
Dika Handayani

Collaborators:
Kenneth Lamb

Amount Funded:
$29,615.00

Proposal Abstract:
Composite are applied in many high-tech industries because of their superior combination of high-strength and lightweight properties. The widespread use of this material has been limited due to the long lead-time and high production costs in the conventional processing setting. However, the development of additive manufacturing, specifically Fiber 3D Printer, allows the production of composite at lower cost with shorter lead-time. This printer will provide the students and faculty at Cal Poly Pomona with access to this high-end material. While this technology will be implemented in the manufacturing courses, any students at Cal Poly Pomona will be able to utilize the printer through the Student Innovation Idea Labs. Composite materials and processing are essential to keep the students up-to-date to the technology and to prepare them for the modern manufacturing workforce and entrepreneurship. A total of $29,615 is requested to fulfill this project.

Applicant:
Ellips Masehian

Amount Funded:
$24,999.99

Proposal Abstract:
The Computer Integrated Manufacturing laboratory is one of the main laboratories of the Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department at the College of Engineering, which is mainly used for teaching both IE and MFE majors the elements of factory automation and process computerization. Currently the lab has outdated/dysfunctional equipment and in its present form does not provide a real laboratory experience. The existing software is inadequate for teaching and experiencing real-world automation scenarios, and therefore the lab needs a categorical overhaul, in terms of both hardware and content. This SPICE grant request will enrich the lab with three Allen-Bradley Programmable Logic Controllers, which will control an Electro-Pneumatic Training System, a Bottling Process Line, and other peripheral mechatronic devices to experience real-world automated production lines and to learn PLC programming and control through various hands-on experiments.

Applicant:
Saeed Monemi

Collaborators:
Ha Le, Dennis Fitzgerald, Kevin Anderson, Gerald Herder, Farbod Khoshnoud

Amount Funded:
$28,995.00

Proposal Abstract:
The purpose of this proposal is to upgrade some critical equipment and introduce some important specialized software tools in the Power and Energy lab (9-119) in order to teach in virtual environment as well as face-to-face. During Covid-19 pandemic, instructors were limited in teach virtually the hands-on lab experiments. With this project, the instructors will be able to teach in any modes of instruction from virtual to hands-on. The basis for upgrading laboratory classroom is to be able to teach design and advanced experiments to enhance student training so that they will be ready for the workforce of now and future. The limitation of tools and equipment severely limits the instructor ability to develop advanced lab experiments that can be compatible to today’s industry standards. Consequently, our students lose opportunities to be trained in certain industry-grade settings. It is an urgent need to upgrade the lab specialized tools to better prepare our engineering students to meet the growing demand of the power and energy industry job market. Our goal is to accelerate training in the forefront areas of power and energy engineering, namely, Smart Grid technologies, power systems stability,  Cyber Security, Cyber-attacks, Power transmission and distribution modernization, Power electronics, Solar and Wind energy, and Electric Vehicles. The upgrade/replacement of the lab tools will assist instructors to improve our lab and classroom teaching activities related to the above subjects both in virtual and face-to-face mode of teaching. The instructors will be able to design new and more advanced lab experiment, as well as teach and bring the students closer to real-world situations. The students will be able to improve their technical skills, thereby enhancing employment opportunities. The experiences also prepare them for graduate study in the Power and Energy and related fields.

Applicant:
Hyoungsoo Kim

Collaborators:
Anas Salah Eddin, Mohamed E. Aly and Tamer Omar

Amount Funded:
$23,920.00

Proposal Abstract:
The purpose of this proposal is to replace the curve tracers which are used in Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) required general labs. The curve tracer was introduced in 1950s to display the characteristic curves for tubes at that time and later used for other semiconductor devices. They are essential equipment for ECE students who need to understand semiconductor devices. Due to its limited functionality, a curve tracer is no longer manufactured, which makes difficult to repair when it’s broken. Nowadays source measurement units (SMUs) integrated with software which can provide current/voltage characterization for two terminal devices are used as a curve tracer. It can provide the familiar user experience of a curve tracer for two-terminal devices with more accurate and intuitive graphical representation.

Applicant:
Mohamed Aly

Collaborators:
Halima El-Naga, Anas Salah Eddin

Amount Funded:
$14,833.29

Proposal Abstract:
Most of the data centers and server rooms are regulated by security clearance, making it difficult for instructors to manually restart machines like Power9 IBM that we received from a previous grant. This machine is used for research and preparing classes for both machine learning and cryptographic courses that PIs created.  In This proposal, we request funds to purchase Geist MNU3EGB1-24PBB3-3PS56B0A10-S-A 24-Outlets PDU, Tripp Lite 2.9kW Single-Phase ATS / Switched PDU, LX Platform Interface, 120V Outlets (24 5-15/20R, 1 L5-30R) 2 L5-30P, 2 10ft Cords, 2U Rack-Mount, TAA (PDUMH30ATNET), Black, and CyberPower OR1500LCDRT2U Smart App LCD UPS System, 1500VA/900W, 8 Outlets, AVR, 2U Rack/Tower (For protecting the system against the power surge) and  NETGEAR 48-Port 10G Ethernet Smart Switch (XS748T) - Managed, with 4 x 10 Gigabit SFP+, Desktop or Rackmount, and Limited Lifetime Protection (For connecting between Power9 Computing node and other nodes we have in the current server rack).

Applicant:
Rosa Vasconez Jimenez

Collaborators:
Dragos Andrei

Amount Funded:
$5,152.00

Proposal Abstract:
"The Construction Materials Laboratory at the Civil Engineering (CE) Department, which has remained essentially unchanged for at least two decades, has provided many generations of undergraduate students and recently graduate students an opportunity to learn about civil engineering materials with extremely limited resources. An initiative to modernize the laboratory started six years ago.

The CE Construction Materials Laboratory has acquired testing instruments and tools through SPICE funds from 2016 through 2019. A modern compression testing frame was acquired through with the support of UE and CE department funds. This proposal seeks to continue the modernization of the CE Construction Materials Lab with the acquisition of the essential instruments and tools, which do not exist in the lab, for conducting standardized tests for aggregates, such as the sand equivalent test (California Test Method 201) and the cleanliness values test (CALTRANS Test Method 220). Both are common tests for aggregate quality used by Caltrans and local highway and building agencies. Familiarity with these tests will help our students better understand quality aspects in the production of asphalt concrete and Portland cement concrete and be better prepared to join the workforce.

With experimental activities and the use of the instruments and tools in this proposal, our students will be equipped with a strong foundation and understanding for testing standards, procedures and protocols which they will encounter after college, be in industry and/or graduate school. In addition, our students would develop a greater understanding of materials quality. We have designed the outline for CE2030/L to include exposure to testing of aggregates as a construction material.

In addition, by investigating through testing the quality of different types of aggregates, students will be able to make a hands-on connection among the material properties been measured, their quality and the behavior of the material. Making this connection would be extremely beneficial for our students’ hands-on learning. This practice will significantly improve the learning environment and provide the students with the opportunity to be exposed to material testing protocols and manage experimental data. Also, our students will have an increased understanding of the theory learned in the lectures and have a laboratory experience that mirrors industrial and academic laboratories, have enhanced experience with technical report writing and be better prepared for employment and/or graduate school.

Meaningful hands-on lab activities for our students cannot be done without the appropriate testing instruments and tools and our CE Construction Materials Lab is lacking the essential items proposed here in."

Applicant:
Laila Jallo

Amount Funded:
 $27,878.00

Proposal Abstract:
This proposal is aimed at enhancing students’ learning experience in laboratory classes by replacing outdated equipment in order for students to achieve a better understanding of the concepts through learn by doing. All Chemical and Materials Engineering students at Cal Poly Pomona will complete at least 30 unique hands-on experiments in 5 laboratory courses as part of the curriculum requirement for a BSc degree. The experiments compliment the course content in the lectures and are very relevant to the process industries that employ our students. The experiments were designed and built by faculty and technician or purchased from outside companies a while back. Some of these experiments are outdated and need to be replaced or upgraded to current industrial standards to help prepare our students with current and relevant knowledge. The goal of this project is to upgrade 4 of these experiments by incorporating modernized data acquisition units and redesign some of these experiments for ease of operation and maintenance. This upgrade will ensure that reliable and accurate data that meet industrial standards can be collected and used for process and equipment design. During this pandemic when laboratory classes were offered online, instructors had to provide students with data from previous years to analyze and write reports. The issue of inaccurate data due to equipment limitations was exasperated. It was difficult for students to critically analyze the results and reconcile the discrepancy between the data and the theoretical predictions without actual experience in performing the experiments. As part of the laboratory work, students have to write technical reports and make presentations that are assessed using rubrics designed to achieve ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) Student Outcomes (SOs) which are aligned to Cal Poly Pomona institutional Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs). The proposed upgrade on the experimental equipment is essential in meeting the requirements of the learning outcomes.

Applicant:
Mehrad Kamalzare

Collaborators:
Ali Shafiee

Amount Funded:
$22,966.00

Proposal Abstract:
The Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory in the Civil Engineering Department is used to run several sessions of Geotechnical Testing Laboratories (CE 3401L, sixteen sessions, and CE5431L, two sessions).  It also runs parts of two Geological Science Testing laboratories, GSC 3210L and GSC 4150L, which are required classes in Civil Engineering Department. The laboratory houses several testing equipment, where students perform static and dynamic geotechnical experiments. The project plan is to upgrade and modernize the Ring Shear testing equipment in the Geotechnical Engineering laboratory. The existing and daily used equipment has been in service for more than 25 years. As important as state-of-the art equipment, this common equipment has been heavily used in the past years and has to be upgraded to fulfill the needs of the instructional activities in the Geotechnical laboratory. Some of the older parts of this equipment often stop working in the middle of the laboratory instruction. Some of other parts do not perform in a safe manner anymore and are currently being used with caution. Others are broken and have sharp edges, which create a safety issue for the students and the instructors. The goals of the civil engineering program at Cal Poly Pomona include the preparation of industry-ready engineers as well as individuals who are prepared for advanced study. Therefore, by improving the hands-on laboratory experience, all civil engineering students will be able to utilize state-of-the-art geotechnical testing equipment to develop confidence in their analytical and experimental skills, which are valuable for engineering practice or advanced studies.

Applicant:
Ali Shafiee

Collaborators:
Mehrad Kamalzare

Amount Funded:
$17,607.95

Proposal Abstract:
The Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory in the Civil Engineering Department is used to run several sessions of Geotechnical Testing Laboratories (CE 3401L, sixteen sessions, and CE5431L, two sessions). It also runs parts of two Geological Science Testing laboratories, GSC 3210L and GSC 4150L, which are required classes in Civil Engineering Department. The laboratory houses several testing equipment, where students perform static and dynamic geotechnical experiments. The project plan is to equip the geotechnical engineering laboratory to two automatic remotely operated consolidometers. The existing and daily used equipment are manually-operated and has been in service for more than 15 years. As important as state-of-the art equipment, this common equipment has been heavily used in the past years and has to be upgraded to fulfill the needs of the instructional activities in the Geotechnical laboratory. It is anticipated that we could remarkably minimize unsupervised student’s attendance in the laboratory with automatic consolidometers. The goals of the civil engineering program at Cal Poly Pomona include the preparation of industry-ready engineers as well as individuals who are prepared for advanced study. Therefore, by improving the hands-on laboratory experience, all civil engineering students will be able to utilize state-of-the-art geotechnical testing equipment to develop confidence in their analytical and experimental skills, which are valuable for engineering practice or advanced studies.

Applicant:
Gregory Barding

Amount Funded:
$1,600

Proposal Abstract:
Instrumental analysis is an essential component of our chemistry and biochemistry curriculum.  Renewing our existing service and support for the MNOVA Processing Suite will provide the students enrolled in our courses access to state-of-the-art data analysis software.  MNOVA is used for NMR, GC and LC data platforms - which means that any student enrolled in Organic Chemistry laboratories and our upper division analytical chemistry laboratories will benefit from this software.  The software will enhance virtual and remote education because it can be downloaded by each individual student - they only need to connect to CPP's internet via VPN once every 90 days to validate the license.  This will provide students the abilities to process data collected from a variety of platforms from their own homes, enhancing our remote and virtual instruction.  The total price for a 5 year renewal is ~$1,600 (subject to the Euro/USD exchange rate.

Applicant:
Omar Mora

Collaborators:
Allan Ng, Lourdes Abellera & Yasser Salem

Amount Funded:
$21,331.00

Proposal Abstract:
Many engineering students encounter difficulties in understanding fundamental three-dimensional (3D) concepts that are used in all aspects of civil engineering designs. Literature shows that 3D graphical representations of difficult fundamental concepts improves student learning. Graphical illustrations (both static and animated) positively enhance learning under most conditions. It has been proven that students who viewed labeled graphical illustrations showed a better explanative recollection and problem-solving compared to students which were shown only labels or graphical illustrations. It is important for students to be comfortable with viewing and interpreting 3D objects in virtual space. This valuable skill will benefit students’ long term by making them better engineers, when they can visualize 3D from traditional engineering plans with multi-view orthographic projections. The goal of this project is to develop curriculum to improve engineering, visualization, animation and mapping concepts involved in earth observation systems to improve student learning and cognition of fundamental science, mathematical and engineering concepts. Overall, the purpose of this project is to give students a better understanding of the 3D world that we live in.

Applicant:
Zhen Yu

Collaborators:
ECE Department Lab Operation & Revitalization Committee

Amount Funded:
$10,274.00

Proposal Abstract:
We propose to purchase the Keysight 34450A Digital Multimeter, Keysight E3630A 35 W Triple Output DC Power Supply, Keysight 33210A Function/Arbitrary Waveform Generator and Keysight DSOX2022A 200 MHz 2 Analog Channels Oscilloscope to be used as a teaching tool in ECE 2200L, ECE 3200L, ECE 4201L, ETE3351L operating systems classes and laboratories. The digital multimeter, power supply, function generator and oscilloscope are widely used equipment in our lab systems. These models were very carefully chosen for their reliability, sustainability and compatibility to fit our existing laboratory needs. Also, the 5 ½ digit digital multimeter, triple output DC power supply, 10 MHz function generator and 200 MHz 2 analog channels oscilloscope are good equipment with a reasonable price to purchase. These are very convenient for the limited bench space in the classroom, instead of having multiple equipment.

Applicant:
Farbod Khoshnoud

Collaborators:
Gerald K. Herder, Scott M Boskovich, Pejman Akbari

Amount Funded:
$16,500.00

Proposal Abstract:
Offering the hands-on experiment component of any course that includes laboratory is one of the most challenging teaching tasks in a virtual setup. In an innovative approach to teaching a laboratory course (ETM 4990 Mechatronics) in Fall 2020, we managed to overcome the challenge by automating the hands-on experiment via remote access to the lab in the department of electromechanical engineering technology. In this remote experiment, the students were able to access a laptop in the laboratory at Cal Poly Pomona, while there were behind their desks at home, and manipulate some components of the experiment remotely, and collect experimental data, as part of their laboratory exercise in this course. Although, the experiment was remote, the students had control over the equipment in the experiment. A video of this experiment is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqZqlI44u_8&t=2009s

The equipment that was used in this remote experimental setup was partially supplied by using a SPICE grant fund that we received in 2020. We are very grateful for this generous fund.

At the end of the course, we conducted a student survey of the course. The student feedback in this course was very positive that proves the student satisfaction, even though in an online remote access setup. Based on this positive experience, we are now submitting a paper on ""Modernizing Mechatronics Course"" to the PSW ASEE conference. The abstract of the paper has been accepted.

We managed to provide the experiment for the students with minimum resources and equipment because the SPICE 2020 grant was not proposed for 'remote' teaching (but for modernizing the laboratory in general). We would like to seek further fund to fully automate the remote experimental setup that students can access the lab (even in future if the teaching is in some hybrid type of arrangements) and the student can have complete control of each part of the experiment.

Although, we initially proposing this remote access automation setup for some particular experiments, we would like to develop a standard generalized approach in this remote laboratory experiment offering that not only can be used as a model of our experiments for our courses at Cal Poly Pomona but also be used as a model by other educational institutes.

This proposal strongly contributes to student interactions with virtual tools and environments, using different innovative learning modalities, and make the experiments accessible to the students (unless impossible in a remote mode) easily, and continues the faculty-student and student-student interactions as closely as possible almost like if they are in the lab and manipulating the experiments' physical elements (Students can work in small teams or individual and manipulate the physical experimental components remotely).

Applicant:
Anthony Acock

Amount Funded:
$17,915.00

Proposal Abstract:
In this proposal I will seek to expand the color offerings the RISO machine has in the Art Department’s Design and Technology Lab. This lab was initiated by a SPICE Grant in 2015, and has grown exponentially with each subsequent year, including receiving additional SPICE grants, alumni donations, philanthropic donations, and corporate donations. Today, the lab employees several students, and offers an array of technology and production opportunities for students across every academic year for 100% of the classes offered in the Department. This proposal speaks to one unique and prestigious piece of equipment, the RISO.

Currently, only 10 RISOs exist in Los Angeles County, and this machine puts our offerings on par with Cal Arts, ArtCenter, USC, UCLA, and other prestigious institutions. Cal Poly Pomona is currently the only CSU with a RISO. Currently, our RISO can only print in red and black. This proposal seeks to increase that offering to facilitate printing in 12 colors which will benefit the totality of the student body, and continue to advance the progress made in the Art Department’s Design and Technology Lab which started with our first SPICE Grant.

Applicant:
Ha Le

Collaborators:
Dennis Fitzgerald, ECE; Sean Monemi, ECE; Kevin Anderson, ME; Gerald Herder, EMET; Farbod Khoshnoud, EMET

Amount Funded:
$29,995.00

Proposal Abstract:
The purpose of this proposal is to purchase an industry-grade virtual tool and modernize some hardware equipment in Lab 9-119 to enable virtual teaching and learning in multiple technical areas. The project is expected to have significant impacts on student learning in many aspects. The virtual tool and the new hardware equipment will support multiple modes of teaching and learning, namely, virtual, remote, in-person, hybrid mode of virtual and in-person. In addition, the new virtual tool will provide students with a valuable opportunity to learn how to do lab experiments and course-related projects virtually and/or remotely. A big advantage is that students can use the virtual tool from diverse locations (e.g. home, library, outdoor) through computers and the Internet. The proposed project supports teaching of 41 undergraduate and graduate courses in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology. The three involved departments comprise around 3,100 students or about 53% of the College of Engineering students. Both undergraduate and graduate students will benefit from the project where senior students who are close to graduation would benefit the most.

Applicant:
Felipe Perez

Collaborators:
Mikhail Gershfeld, S.E.; Giuseppe Lomiento, Ph.D.; Yasser Salem, Ph.D., S.E., Rosa Vasconez, Ph.D., P.E., LEED AP; Lisa Y. Wang, Ph.D., P.E.

Amount Funded:
$27,786.00

Proposal Abstract:
The recent pandemic has posed several challenges, especially when it comes to providing a remote hands-on laboratory experience to students. To address these challenges, we wish to upgrade our existing laboratory test setups in the Structural Mechanics Laboratory which supports CE3510L, a teaching laboratory. This proposal seeks funding in the amount of $27,785.21 to purchase two new countertop test setups for the experimental study of beams and frames that would be suitable for face-to-face, hybrid, and/or remote teaching environments. This laboratory course serves all undergraduate students in the Civil Engineering Department, which currently has approximately 1,500 active enrolled students. Furthermore, by providing a hands-on experience, even in a remote environment, students will gain a better understanding of the behavior of structures. If students do not pursue a career in structural engineering, they will still have the foundational knowledge required to become licensed in any state. Therefore, this investment has far-reaching implications, both in the number of students affected, and in their professional growth.

Applicant:
Mohamed Aly

Collaborators:
Anas Salah Eddin, Halima El-Naga

Amount Funded:
$12,082.00

Proposal Abstract:
As the pandemic affected having the students on-campus and a wide range of students suffer from financial issues due to the pandemic. We are requesting a fund to purchase a low-power, high-performance computing cluster based on a raspberry pi microprocessor developed by a set of scientists from the Los-Alamos National laboratory. The requested equipment will serve a group of computer engineering courses as digital logic, computer architecture, and mixed hardware description languages as VHDL (ECE4304/L), Verilog (ECE3300/L), and System Verilog (ECE-4305/L). Initially, three ECE faculty members will use the equipment (Dr. Anas Salah Eddin (CO-PI), Dr. Halima El-Naga (CO-PI), and Dr. Mohamed E. Aly (PI) on developing a new set of courses in the area of the internet of things (Medical (Dr. Eddin), Computer Architecture (Dr. El-Naga), and Hardware Security (Dr. Aly). 

Applicant:
Weimin Li

Collaborators:
Andrew Wilcox, Barry Lehrman, Alyssa Lang and Lauren Bricker

Amount Funded:
$22,247.00

Proposal Abstract:
This proposal aims to (1) better prepare ENV students with the needed knowledge, skills, and tools to engage different stakeholders and the general public to resolve societal issues varying from climate change and ecological issues to social injustice and public health and (2) instill students with the technical knowledge and skills that can improve the accessibility and effectiveness of planning and design processes and tools. On behalf of the Department of Landscape Architecture and the College of environmental design, we are applying for the SPICE funding to equip a HyFlex Participatory Design Studio/lab for faculty, students, and public engagement amid the pandemic and during post-pandemic periods. The funding will provide (1) better interactions among faculty, peers, and the public, (2) equal access to centralized powerful virtual tools and environments, (3) inclusive accommodation of students with different participation needs and learning modalities, and (4) improved engagement and collaboration with the general public in service-learning design projects. The funding will cover the cost of one touch table for interactive participatory design, one multi-directional camera for activity broadcasting, one Rendering Optimized Studio Workstation for enhanced communication and the production of design/planning deliverables demanding strong processing power, some supporting digital peripherals and lockable storages, purchasing tax, and I&IT support and campus facility department cost. While the HyFlex Participatory Design Studio will be equipped mainly to serve students in the College of Environmental Design, it can be shared with students and faculty members in other programs via campus room reserving service. The program will be overseen by the ENV Technology Committee, led by faculty members with digital and geospatial technologies backgrounds, and will be managed by staffs in ENV. Training will be provided to students through technology courses and provided to faculty through faculty training workshops. In conclusion, the support from the SPICE grant will provide HyFlex education infrastructure and make a big difference in filling in the current gap of lacking digital participatory design equipment in the College of Environmental Design amid the pandemic and during post-pandemic periods.

Applicant:
Seoha Min

Collaborators:
Yam Lee, Joey Tulpinski, Ulus Ekerman

Amount Funded:
$3,250.00

Proposal Abstract:
The purpose of this proposal is to seek funding for the purchase of a 3D body scanner ($3,250). A 3D body scanner has been utilized by many apparel companies for automatic extraction of body measurements, recommendation of adequate garment sizes, creation of human avatars  and virtual representation of garments on 3D human body models, and production of personalized and customized garments. Securing a 3D body scanner will help AMM (Apparel Merchandising & Management) students have better standing on the use of this latest technology in the field. In addition, students who have experience with this latest technology will help them gain a competitive edge in job placement.

Applicant:
Helen Trejo

Amount Funded:
$23,341.50

Proposal Abstract:
This proposal requests funding to purchase equipment that can enhance product quality testing and sustainability of diverse materials including woven, knit, non-woven, and foam materials to enhance student learning about textiles for footwear and apparel. This will support the new AMM footwear minor, existing textile courses that are part of the core curriculum, and in the Textiles option that began in Fall 2018. Student experience with the proposed equipment (air permeability tester, foam testing equipment, and microfiber pollution materials) will diversify their knowledge of textiles and standardized testing. This can prepare students for product quality and sustainability positions in industry and/or for graduate studies.

Applicant:
Gabriel Davidov-Pardo

Collaborators:
Yao Olive Li

Amount Funded:
$25,842.74

Proposal Abstract:
The intention of this proposal is to acquire a set of Brookfield viscometers to support teaching in multiple courses in the Nutrition and Food Science Department. Viscosity can be defined as the resistance of a fluid (typically liquids and gases) to flow. The study of viscosity in foods and how viscosity changes may impact the flow transportation and food qualities (such as mouthfeel and texture in new formulations), otherwise known as rheology, this is an integral part of any Food Science and Technology curriculum. This project will benefit all the students enrolled in the Nutrition and Food Science Department. The undergraduate student population of NFS is approximately 600 students, which represents 25% of the Huntley College of Agriculture undergraduate population. The department has two majors: Food Science and Technology (FST) and Nutrition (NTR). Food Processing Engineering (FST 3321/L) is an FST major course which means that 150 students take the class, with an average of 30-40 per year. All NTR students must take FST 3210L Experimental Food Science with an even greater enrollment of some 120 annually. This project will also benefit students in Food Product Development Laboratory (FST 4290L) a PolyX signature polytechnic experience, in this class students develop innovative food products from ideation to prototype. Viscosity plays a crucial role in the methodical and rational development of new and innovative food products. The acquisition of the viscometers would support flipped and hybrid classroom teaching modalities.

Applicant:
Joanne Sohn

Amount Funded:
$30,000

Proposal Abstract:
We have been nursing our ultrasound machine along for the past two years. There are multiple delays due to repeatedly restarting the machine and connectivity issues. We also have lost the ability to freely move the machine around. We work on live animals and they need to be restrained during ultrasound procedures. Since our animals are only allowed to be restrained for a limited period of time, we often lose valuable teaching time.

Applicant:
Joanne Sohn

Amount Funded:
$3,000

Proposal Abstract:
For the past six years, our digital radiology machine has been limping along.  We have been patching our radiology machine in a desperate attempt to keep it going, replacing parts as needed for years. However, this summer, the radiology unit finally went into its final death throes.

Applicant:
Saemee Lyu

Amount Funded:
$25,000

Proposal Abstract:
I propose to purchase an Apparel Computer Aided Design (CAD) system called TUKAcad for an additional ten computer stations. Currently, we do not have enough workstations for the number of students enrolled, creating a bottleneck in learning experience of the classes. Apparel CAD system is critical for patternmaking and related jobs in the apparel industry, with TUKAcad (developed by TUKAtech Inc.) being one of the Apparel CAD programs prevalently used in the apparel industry worldwide. Since this software is a basic system linked to marker, 3D simulation system, etc., ten more stations in the lab would enable students to achieve learning outcomes without being hampered by the lack of computing resources, thereby increasing their engagement in class as well as increasing their employment skills and opportunities.

Applicant:
Eeman At-Taras

Collaborators:
Cord Brundage, Juanita Jellyman, Elizabeth Scordato, Andrea Watson

Amount Funded:
$29,213.00

Proposal Abstract:
An important part of working with animals is understanding the behavior of these animals.  In Spring 2020, AVS 3456 (Animal Behavior) was taught for the first time at Cal Poly Pomona.  As an important course for all Animal Science and Pre-Veterinary Science students, this course allows students to observe and record the behavior of live animals at the Cal Poly Pomona animal units.  With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the start of virtual instruction in March 2020, it became a challenge for these students to continue learning about animal behavior through live observations.  A remote, virtual system to observe these animals will greatly improve the quality of learning for our students.  Additionally, acquiring a system that is especially suited for observing and coding behavior will give students the ‘hands-on’ learning that has always been a signature of our education here at Cal Poly Pomona.  Further applications of this remote observation system include the ability to correlate physiological parameters with animal behavior.  The system can be used to support student learning in animal behavior and physiology in both the Don B Huntley College of Agriculture and in the College of Science.

Applicant:
Holly Greene

Collaborators:
Cord Brundage, Ondieki Gekara, Hyungchul Han, Eeman At-Taras, Melissa McCormick, Joe McHugh, Shelton Murinda, Andrea Watson

Amount Funded:
$28,092.00

Proposal Abstract:
In education, it is agreed upon that there are three major components which create a classroom: Students, Content Taught and the Environment. Educators focus on the first 2 of these 3 components, many omit the classroom environment to achieve greater focus and learning for their students. A modern infrastructure is essential for an effective and rigorous hands-on education. A successful STEM educational program requires appropriate laboratory space that is safe, well-equipped, modern and conform to government standards and regulations. Modern teaching laboratories require space for equipment, storage space for microscopes, book bags, and teaching supplies. The role of illumination in a classroom is fundamental to a student’s ability to focus. Scientific studies have reported that lighting in educational spaces has a significant impact on learning and the academic achievement of students. A negative classroom environment is as detrimental to learning as a poor curriculum. The AVS laboratory teaching room is antiquated in both lighting and cabinetry (+40 years in age). SPICE 2021 funding support would permit additional improvement of this teaching room and provide an effective, rewarding, inspiring active learning space for all AVS undergraduates in the Department’s two majors.

Applicant:
Saemee Lyu

Collaborators:
Muditha Senanayake, Antonio Espinas

Amount Funded:
$9,965.00

Proposal Abstract:
This proposal is to request to purchase raised bed sewing machines for footwear and accessories made by PFAFF® Industrial. Inc. These machines are the most utilized equipment in the shoe and accessory industry. The Apparel Merchandising and Management department will be launching the Footwear Design and Merchandising minor program in Fall 2021. We actively reach out to the industry through the Industry Advisory Board for funding to develop this new program. At the current stage, to enable students to effectively learn the course contents using proper devices, there is an urgent need for class equipment investment. This program has potential to grow strongly, given the vibrancy of the footwear sector in Southern California. The acquisition of the sewing machines will benefit students enrolled in the courses required in the Footwear Design and Merchandising minor program as well as open up opportunities for multi-disciplinary programs and activities, especially with initiatives like the iLab and Maker Space.

Applicant:
Muditha Senanayake

Amount Funded:
$14,181.00

Proposal Abstract:
The objective of this proposal is to seek funding for the purchase of 10 Single Needle Industrial LockStitch Sewing Machines for the AMM Apparel Construction Lab. These machines are needed to replace 40 plus years old machines donated at the inception of the AMM program 22 years ago. These sewing machines are heavily used items of equipment in our construction and production classes. These machines are in higher demand for semester class sections. In addition non-AMM majors who are taking introductory apparel construction lab classes use these machines. They are also heavily used outside of class time for completion of various projects attached to other AMM courses. This proposal assist in achieving the program objective of providing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop, produce, evaluate and sell apparel products. All AMM majors (circa 400) need these machines to complete a series of garment construction related lab classes. The addition of new machines will assist the program to increase the lab size and minimize the problems encountered in semester conversion with 33% increase in class size demand as well as will assist in the strategies currently planning for reduced class/lab sizes to fight Covid19. Considering the sustainability of this request, these new equipment will have much lower maintenance requirements compared to the old machines and can be maintained by our own technician. No special training beyond that normally given to operate other sewing equipment is needed. General day today needs such as sewing needles and sewing thread are the only ongoing supplies for these machines. Partial funding is welcome as a strategy to continuously modernize old lab equipment as well as to increase the lab capacity.

Applicant:
Claire Whang

Amount Funded:
$3,042.00

Proposal Abstract:
This proposal requests SPICE support for the purchase of 26 user licenses for the data analysis software NodeXL. NodeXL is a data mining and network visualization analysis software. It will enable instructor(s) to provide hands-on learning for students in courses that involves the collection and analysis of diverse forms of real-life web data. It will also benefit instruction by enhancing Cal Poly Pomona students’ analytic thinking and data management skill, and further build capacity for undergraduate research. NodeXL is a powerful, interdisciplinary tool (e.g., sociology, computer science, business), used globally in over 45 countries (https://nodexl.com/). The cost quoted is competitive, with a volume discount included.

Applicant:
Jamie Snyder

Amount Funded:
$22,094.60

Proposal Abstract:
The Foundations of Biology: Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity laboratory is the second semester lab course in the year-long Biology series for majors. In this course, students participate in hands-on activities to explore the diversity of life. Some of those activities involve the use of compound microscopes. These scopes can aid students in exploring samples such as the morphology of different bacterial species, movement patterns of protists, and the identification of different cell types (fungi, prokaryotic, plant). The compound microscopes currently in use for BIO 1220L are very old and a limited number are functional, so students end up sharing the microscopes or the lab Instructor sets up demo scopes in which all students use. In order to return safely to the laboratory, I am requesting funds to purchase new compound microscopes for our students and an Instructor scope in which a camera system that can be mounted for Instructor use. This camera system will be much safer for highlighting samples and/or specimens in that the students can remain in their seats because the image will be displayed onto the screen through a projector. Most importantly, if all the students have their own compound microscope, it will result in higher-level thinking and inquiry-based learning.

Applicant:
Laura Chase

Amount Funded:
$27,131.00

Proposal Abstract:
We are requesting SPICE funds to purchase a Quark CPET Metabolic Testing System (MTS) from COSMED for use in teaching in the Kinesiology and Health Promotion (KHP) Department. The department currently has two very old metabolic testing systems in our exercise science lab and there is a dire need for a replacement system. The full COSMED Quark CPET metabolic system, plus delivery and one day of training, was quoted at $27, 131.

Applicant:
Junjun Liu

Amount Funded:
$28,900.00

Proposal Abstract:
The goal of this proposal is to request fund to purchase equipment and software for upper division biological science laboratory courses involving animal cell culture. To be specific, the fund will be used to purchase two copies of data processing software Prism GraphPad and three inverted microscope with one being equipped with camera. More than 5 laboratory courses involve animal cell culture, but the Biological Science Department does not have enough inverted microscope to be shared by these courses. In addition, none of the current inverted microscope is equipped with camera, which makes it impossible to store and share data. Also, the department does not have any data processing software for instructional use. Prism GraphPad is the leading program for data analysis and processing in biological research. Students will be benefited by learning how to use the program. These laboratory courses provide students with hands on training on skills that are required for jobs in the field of biomedical research, biotechnology and clinical sciences. Historically, over 500 students, mostly graduating seniors and graduate students are enrolled in these courses per year. The proposed purchase will no doubt have a positive impact on students in meeting student learning outcomes (SLOs).

Applicant:
Andrea Bonisoli Alquati

Amount Funded:
$16,323.00

Proposal Abstract:
As a group of organisms, birds are disproportionately well-studied in the biological and environmental sciences, as model organisms from ecology to neuroscience, and as sentinels of environmental changes, including climate change and pollution. Cal Poly Pomona students currently have limited opportunity to learn about the techniques used to research and monitor the biology and status of bird populations in such variety of disciplines. This is limiting their potential to conduct graduate research on birds, and to understand and assess the status of birds’ populations, a skill in common among many professions in environmental sciences in government agencies, NGOs, and environmental consultancy firms. This proposal argues in favor of acquiring equipment that will become the center of lab activities for a course in Avian Biology to be taught at Cal Poly Pomona every Spring. The small equipment and devices acquired with support from the SPICE grant program will help demonstrate a variety of aspects of bird biology. They will also be available to other courses in ecology and organismal biology, with an overall population of more than 100 students impacted each year. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) are traditionally under-represented in ecology and environmental sciences, as a result of their exclusion from and lack of safety in natural environments. Teaching and training activities with the proposed equipment will contribute to creating a more diverse workforce in these fields, hopefully contributing to greater inclusivity of the natural spaces and of the scientific disciplines that study them.

Applicant:
Abdelfattah Amamra

Amount Funded:
N/A

Proposal Abstract:
Our aim of this proposal is to develop an online interactive workbook for CS3650-Computer Architecture course. The online interactive workbook will use stories to give a social context for the subject and games, videos, audio, interactive 3D models/images and questions to add motivation and interactivity. This workbook will be effective for either the physical or online classroom. The purpose of this project is to produce an interactive, motivational and engaging learning environment.

Applicant:
Edward Jo

Collaborators:
Alexandra Auslander, MinHyuk Kwon, Zakkoyya Lewis-Trammell, and Michael Liang and Mr. Jose Rocha-Rangel

Amount Funded:
$19,433.00

Proposal Abstract:
The Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion (KHP) is currently in the development/building stage of a new 4200sqft Exercise Science teaching laboratory. This initiative has long been overdue as the department has outgrown the existing undersized lab space with the large number of exercise science courses with lab/activity requirements, growing body of students enrolled in those courses, and the development of new lab or activity courses. The purpose of this proposal is to request funding to acquire state-of-the-art laboratory equipment to be implemented in the new lab facility for the enhancement of student learning in Kinesiology especially in the foci of exercise science and health promotion. This proposal requests funding for the procurement of NeuroMap, a highly advanced research grade neuromuscular measurement system that is centered on wireless electromyography technology. Kinesiology, the study of human movement, is fundamental to the allied health and medical professions a majority of exercise science students seek and pursue. One major component of kinesiology is the brain-muscle connection and how it regulates movement. The efficiency of the brain-muscle communication ultimately determine one's level of physical functioning, fitness, and overall quality of life. The NeuroMap system through wireless, non-invasive, biosensor technology, provides the ability to monitor and comprehensively examine in real time the signals that connect the brain and muscle during movement. With this research-grade system, student learning in Kinesiology would be drastically enhanced as students would be able to visualize, quantify, and analyze the scientific and physiological concepts underlying the neuromusuclar control of human movement that are presented in a multitude of courses. The lab curriculum for the majority of core exercise science courses would implement and benefit from the NeuroMap system. This system is accessible, user-friendly, with zero to low maintenance cost. It is also anticipated to enhance virtual learning as instructors would be able to demonstrate through real time quantitative measurements the neuromuscular concepts and principles discussed in lecture. Visual and quantitative data is also exportable and can be shared with students. Overall, the NeuroMap system would be a highly valuable addition to the new lab developement and is expected to faciliate student success.