Everyone is invited to see presentations and demonstrations of  six class projects done by the 17 students in CMSC 491/691, Virtual Reality Design for Science, taught by CSEE Professor Jian Chen this spring.  The demonstrations and presentations will take place 12:00-1:30pm Wednesday, 10 May 2017 in the π² Immersive Hybrid Reality Lab located in room 201b in the ITE building. Join us in this new adventure to explore ideas and foster interaction and interdisciplinary science. Pizza will be provided.

• Utilizing VR simulations to study the effect of food labeling on college students meal choices, by Elsie, Kristina, and Michael
• Integrating spatial-and-non-spatial approaches for interactive quantum physics data analyses, by Henan, John, and Nick
• Analyzing the benefits of immersion for environmental research, by Caroline, James, and Peter
• CPR training effectiveness, by Joey, Justin, and Zach
• Quantitative measurement of cosmological pollution visualization, by Kyle, Pratik, and Vineet
• Memorable mobile-VR-based campus tour, by Abhinav and Vincent

Support for this new course was provided by an award from the UMBC Hrabowski Fund for Innovation to CSEE Professors Jian Chen, Marc Olano and Adam Bargteil.  The project-oriented class introduces students to the use of hybrid reality displays, 3D modeling, visualization and fabrication to conduct and analyze scientific research. The new course embraces the university’s goal of advancing interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research activity.

The UMBC π² Immersive Hybrid Reality Lab is funded by a $360,000 NSF award, with additional support from Next Century Corporation. In the lab, users wear 3D glasses with sensors attached to them and operate handheld controls that allow them to sensorially immerse themselves in data, which appears on dozens of high-resolution screens that are precisely aligned to work together. Users control the data by manipulating it in the space around them. The user’s body is fairly stationary, but the brain thinks the body is moving within the virtual world. The lab brings together tools “that will allow humans and the computer to augment each other,” notes Dr. Chen.

The post Virtual Reality Design for Science student projects, 12-1:30 Wed. 5/10, ITE 201b appeared first on Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering.

Fully furnished town house with the following amenities:

AC/Heater, Fridge, Oven/Stove, Coffee Machine, Microwave, sofas, Study table with chairs
- It is a 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath townhouse
- Spacious rooms, basement, Full-furnished.
- Well equipped kitchen
- Close to UMBC (1 miles); 15 mins to Downtown (5.5 miles)
- UMBC transit bus stop close to the townhouse
- Quiet and safe

• Need help with a final research paper?

• Not sure where to go next in your draft?

• Come talk to one of our peer tutors in the Writing Center! Our final day of tutoring is Tuesday, May 16th, so stop by or make an appointment online here: https://umbc.mywconline.com

Spaces are filling up, so plan ahead!

This semester, the CS Education Club has started a mini lecture series for students to interact with faculty outside of the classroom. They will have Dr. Marie desJardins as their next speaker. She will give an informal presentation followed by a discussion at 12:00 Noon on Monday May 8 in ITE 227. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Dr. desJardins is the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for the College of Engineering and Information Technology and a full Professor in the Computer Science and Electrical Engineering department. She has had an amazing career as a computer science researcher and educator. She has done research ranging from Artificial Intelligence to building a community of CS educators and improving CS education at the high school level in Maryland. She oversees the MAPLE lab, with a primary research interest in multi-agent intelligent systems. She has been an advocate for a better student experience as an administrator in COEIT, as well as the director of the Grand Challenges program at UMBC. Read more of her background on her website.

Please RSVP on myUMBC at the CS ED Club’s event page.

The Washington Post has honored UMBC double-alumnus Sean Pang as its 2017 Teacher of the Year in recognition of the supportive connections he makes with Rockville High School students as an educator, tutor, coach, and mentor.

The honor is tremendously meaningful for both Pang and UMBC’s education programs, particularly following last year’s recognition of Shalonda Holt ’07, biological sciences, teaching certificate in education, as 2016 Washington Post Teacher of the Year.

Sean Pang ’09, English, M.A. ’11, education, has taught ninth-grade English, creative writing, TV production, and an academic intervention course since he began working at Rockville High School in 2011, but he didn’t always realize he had a passion for writing and language arts. Pang arrived in the United States from Hong Kong at age 6, and his love of English literature grew over time, particularly through his undergraduate years.

“UMBC was not only my home for six years during both my undergraduate and graduate pursuits, but I identify with this university as the place I found my calling,” says Pang. “As an undecided and nervous freshman, I had no clear line of sight for my career path. But, through my amazing teachers and mentors who inspired me to be my best on a daily basis, I soon realized the answer to my worries was always in front of me; I wanted to teach.”

In particular, Pang thanks his UMBC mentors Sally Shivnan, senior lecturer in English and associate director of writing and rhetoric, and Jim Thomas, lecturer in philosophy, for inspiring his teaching career and guiding him on that career path.

“The first thing I did when I heard about my award was to visit UMBC and personally thank my teachers,” Pang shares. “Among them, Sally Shivnan was a great spark of hope, as she encouraged me through my ups and downs as my undergraduate advisor. Jim Thomas is the teacher I still always want to be. His humor and ability to captivate my interest… He genuinely had fun while he taught and Jim pretty much sealed the deal for me.”

Pang’s award comes as no surprise to his professors. Says Shivnan:

Having taught Sean Pang in English classes starting in first-year composition and all the way through to his time as editor of our creative arts journal Bartleby, I can say I am not surprised to see him win this honor. His energy and commitment were always incredibly impressive…[and] the values that won him recognition as DC-area Teacher of the Year—passion, creativity, and caring—reflect UMBC values.

Cheryl North, clinical assistant professor of education and director of secondary English education, agrees. “We are proud of Sean but not surprised that others have recognized him as Teacher of the Year,” she says. She notes it was clear early on that Sean is someone “who was knowledgeable in English, student-centered, and a leader.”

Offering a glimpse into Pang’s classroom, the Washington Post describes the space as “always abuzz with students — at lunch, before school, after hours. Some gather for club meetings or come for help with schoolwork. Others just hang out or update Pang on their lives.”

This “buzz” of activity directly reflects Pang’s teaching philosophy: “to get involved in as many ways as you can.” He applies this advice to his students and himself — encouraging students to try new things to find their passions, and working to connect with students in a wide variety of ways. He also applies it to his own professional development as a teacher, building connections with colleagues whom he sees as mentors, and constantly working to improve and grow in new directions.

“This award showed me my work has been successful, but that I also have so much to learn,” Pang says. “This award will only strengthen my resolve to push myself to become even better.”

Ultimately, he sees being an educator as a path of continual growth, always working to find what way of teaching, what approach, will connect with a particular student. “Sometimes I succeed; sometimes I fail,” he told the Post. “When something clicks, oh my gosh, it’s like opening Christmas presents.”

Photos of Sean Pang by Marlayna Demond ’11 for UMBC.