STEM Research?

What is Research? Research is the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions. Research is the creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge.

What is Scientific Research? Scientific research is proposing hypotheses as explanations of phenomena and designing experimental studies to test these hypotheses via predictions which can be derived from them. Scientific research is performing a methodical study in order to prove a hypothesis or answer a specific question. Finding a definitive answer is the central goal of any experimental process.

What is Engineering Research? Engineering research often deals with areas in which the basic science is well understood, but the problems themselves are too complex to solve in an exact manner. Engineering research is yielding knowledge essential to translating scientific advances into technologies that affect everyday life.

What is Basic Research? Basic research is defined as systematic study directed toward fuller knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and of observable facts without specific applications towards processes or products in mind. Basic research is another type of research, and it is driven purely by curiosity and a desire to expand our knowledge. This type of research tends not to be directly applicable to the real world in a direct way, but enhances our understanding of the world around us.

What is Applied Research? Applied research is one type of research that is used to answer a specific question that has direct applications to the world. This is the type of research that solves a problem. Applied research is a form of systematic inquiry involving the practical application of science. It accesses and uses some part of the research communities’ accumulated theories, knowledge, methods, and techniques, for a specific, often state-, business-, or client-driven purpose.

STEM Research STEM research is research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.

Advanced STEM Research Course Advanced STEM Research course is a yearlong project-based course to provide students an opportunity for firsthand, supervised research in STEM fields. It is mentored, but self-directed, work that enables individual students or a small group of students in collaboration with faculty members to explore a problem of interest to them, to conduct the in-depth investigation/experiments/design, and to communicate their results to others.

STEM Research Projects A scientific research in one or more of the STEM fields, An engineering design project to create a complex product, and An innovative, patentable, solution to solve a practical problem.  The interdisciplinary researches and researches with applications to the non-STEM fields are strongly encouraged.

Three Levels of Problem Solving Level 1— Level 2— Level 3— Starting Point Destination Destination? Path Path? e.g. plug into quadratic formula to solve equations e.g. geometric proof or trigonometric identity proof Destination? e.g. resolve rush hour traffic problem in NYC

Nature of Research Research Problems Ambiguity Evolving understanding Open-ended Research Process Risk-taking Objective and logical Original contribution

Problems of Interest – Major problems, issues, needs you have encountered in your life and our society which might be possible to be solved by STEM methods and skills. – Interesting and innovative ideas, something having potential to impact our society, or improving people's lives in a dramatic way. T HINK BIG !!!

Design Research Experience Research Topics Robot construction. Chemical engineering to food science. Neuroscience to coding in medicine. Computer models for brain. Medicine, nanotechnology, chemistry, etc. Drone programming. Automated programming. App programming for real-life applications. Gaming programming. Hardware and software Integration. Faster, cheaper, better & safer products.

Design Research Experience Project Orientation More coding vs. less coding. Mechanical, hand-on project. Discovery. Target big problems. Build upon ideas found in research. Current events and future development. Project Management. Platforms/Tools Arduino/Raspberry Pi. Popular programming language like Java.

Design Research Experience Teaching/Learning More teaching. Providing background knowledge. Coding from scratch/basics. Independent research. Understanding of topics & develop domain knowledge. Field trip. of robotics research. Project Management/Coordination Choosing topics & path according to interests. Choosing own group. Reasonable amount of time. Collaboration & communication.

Define STEM Research

Discussion: Problems of Interest What are your topics? – App for real-world problem. – Biodegradable Plastics – Bio-feedback – Gaming in Medicine – Drone Delivery System for School – Adaptive sports/making a sandwich – Product design – Combining 3d printing, coding, Arduino to test the efficiency of solar panels under different materials. T HINK BIG !!!

Discussion: Problems of Interest Project Proposals – 2D Tactile Display for Visually Impaired – Hand-to-Hand Communication – Drone Tour System – Drone Defense System – Subway Designer (Crowd Design) T HINK BIG !!!

Discussion: Problems of Interest Project Proposal 1: 2D Tactile Display for Visually Impaired – Sensory substitution for visually impaired people. – Braille and audio are both serial (1D) channel with bandwidth limitations. – Electrovibration is a promising method to provide haptic feedback. – Design and build a prototype od 2D Tactile Display System. T HINK BIG !!!

Discussion: Problems of Interest Project Proposal 2: Hand-to-Hand Communication – Gestures and movements of one hand will determine those of another hand – Detect the neural signals from one hand of the first person. – Process and amplify the neural signals. – Stimulate the muscle/nerves of the hand of another person. T HINK BIG !!!

Discussion: Problems of Interest Project Proposal 3: Drone Tour System – A MAV-based tour system that allows users from anywhere in the world with high-speed Internet to drive a MAV and tour a specific site in NYC. – This system will not only allow people to tour a site without physically being there, but will also enable users to tour the site from above the ground. T HINK BIG !!!

Discussion: Problems of Interest Project Proposal 4: Drone Defense System – A ground-based system that will detect, track, and attack the drones invading the private air space. – Use sensors to detect the drones, and calculate the location of the drone. – Launch Ping-Pong balls to intercept the drones. T HINK BIG !!!

Discussion: Problems of Interest Project Proposal 5: Subway Designer (Crowd Design) – Improve the subway by redesigning seating plan, locations and number of doors/poles, length of the cars, etc. – App users can design and simulate their designs. – App users can enter local traffic info to improve the traffic models. T HINK BIG !!!