Primate Evolutionary Biomechanics Lab Computing Refresh

Department of Anthropology

Requested:

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$9,145

Abstract

The Primate Evolutionary Biomechanics Laboratory provides a variety of teaching and research opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Washington (Seattle). These opportunities span topics from human musculoskeletal anatomy and variation, to locomotor biomechanics and human evolutionary studies. To support these efforts, we propose to replace pre-existing, and now-inoperable, computer equipment originally acquired through a previous STF grant (STF 2015-054), principally a workstation in the Primate Evolutionary Biomechanics Laboratory (henceforth PEBL). This replacement will help the Lab and the Department of Anthropology maintain its ability to provide quality, state-of-the-art equipment for its undergraduate and graduate students to use as part of a diverse array of teaching and research experiences.

Communication Computer Lab

Department of Communication

Requested:

$66,886

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$67,849

Abstract

The Communication computer lab benefits a variety of students from across campus, alumni, and student clubs. Hardware updates would greatly advantage workshops and other professional development activities held in the lab. This proposal is co-sponsored by the Department of Communication and the Communication Leadership program.

Shared Telepractice Laptops

Speech and Hearing Sciences

Requested:

$13,423

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$13,423

Abstract

The Speech and Hearing Clinic in the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences is a no-fee, donation-supported community clinic where students in Speech/Language Pathology and Audiology gain valuable clinical experience while providing much needed services to members of the community. Due to COVID-19, the Clinic has had to move all therapy and evaluation sessions online. It is clear that the use of telepractice for speech, language, and hearing evaluation and treatment will continue even when students return to the clinic in the next quarter or two. The use of telepractice increases the availability of our services to many more members of our community, and even beyond our local community. The Department of Speech & Hearing Sciences seeks to provide students with the needed equipment to effectively provide high quality, online services.

Accessible Benchtop Scanning Electron Microscopy for Student Researchers

Biology

Requested:

$107,747

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$97,863

Abstract

We request funds to obtain a benchtop scanning electron microscope for use by student researchers in the sciences. The model we are requesting is called the JCM-7000 and it enables scientists to examine and quantify the size, shape and surface properties of samples with 10 times the resolving power and up to 300 times more depth of field than of standard light microscopes. It will be widely used by biologists to characterize cells, tissues, organisms and fossils. It will also be available to those in the engineering and physical sciences who wish to examine the features of non-biological materials at high resolution.

General-Access Laser Cutter for Architecture Hall

College of Built Environments

Requested:

$24,371

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$24,371

Abstract

As digital fabrication assumes a central role in the creation of models, prototypes, and finished products both here at the UW and in industry, students need access to such equipment to gain experience that will help them to be successful in their professions. The College of Built Environments has provided laser cutter access to the roughly 900 students in the College - as well as to appropriately-trained UW students generally - for over a decade, and currently operates four medium power units (two in CBE studios, two in Gould Hall that are generally available to any UW student who has been trained by fabrication lab staff) along with a high power unit (also available to trained UW students) in Gould Hall. We seek to add a medium power unit in Architecture Hall, to provide easy laser cutter access to trained students (both CBE and UW generally) working in that building and to address ongoing strong demand (our current generally-accessible laser cutters are sometimes scheduled 24/7 during busy periods).

Single-capture 3D Macro Photogrammetry

Burke Museum

Requested:

$35,526

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$89,817

Abstract

This proposal seeks to use Student Technology Fee funding to build two novel, multi-camera, small-object 3D surface reconstruction systems for student use in museum (first system) and outside the museum (second, more portable system) research. Such systems would be capable of rendering high resolution 3D images with surface and color details (macro-photogrammetry) through a single-capture procedure. This will present significant advantages over current imaging systems that require either time-intensive collection processes (i.e., rotation, mechanical focus stacking, working with immobile objects) or sacrificing resolution and image quality. The system will be developed with student input and using existing 3D photogrammetry practices for imaging larger objects. It will not only allow high-throughput, low-cost 3D image reconstruction of inanimate objects, such as museum specimens, but also from living organisms in the field by maintaining the simplicity of a single trigger. This will allow it to be approachable by users with a great breadth of experience, and therefore will have broad applicability to a diversity of student-led projects. This proposal is being submitted from Burke Ornithology and Mammalogy.

Equipment for Student-led Marine Environmental Physiology Research

Friday Harbor Laboratories

Requested:

$80,000

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$80,000

Abstract

We seek Student Technology Fee funding to acquire cutting-edge field and laboratory equipment for marine environmental physiology research conducted by undergraduate and graduate students at UW Friday Harbor Laboratories (FHL). Environmental physiology is the study of how organisms function in a range of environmental conditions; research in this area is of critical importance to understand the response of marine organisms to natural and man-made stressors (e.g., pollution, habitat degradation, climate change) and informs the development of mitigation strategies for effective management and conservation of marine ecosystems. Modern research in environmental physiology involves measurements in both the field (to characterize the environment encountered by organisms in nature) and the laboratory (to identify responses of organisms to environmental variables in controlled, manipulative experiments). The suite of equipment requested will provide students at FHL, for the first time, with the state-of-the-art machinery necessary to perform research that addresses a broad range of cutting-edge questions about the responses of marine plants and animals to changing coastal environments, including ocean warming, acidification, deoxygenation and freshening. The equipment will be accessible to all FHL students conducting research, and will provide students with the opportunity to develop advanced research skills, design and execute replicable manipulative experiments, and acquire, publish, and share data.

Resonant Column Device for Education and Research in Biogeotechnics and Earthquake Engineering

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Requested:

$136,799

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$108,554

Abstract

The main objective of this proposal is to enhance UW student educational experiences through the addition of new geotechnical laboratory testing equipment in the UW Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) Undergraduate Geotechnical Laboratory. This laboratory is used by all CEE undergraduate students and many CEE graduate students as well as students from other related disciplines including Earth and Space Sciences. The primary motivation to acquire this equipment is to enhance undergraduate and graduate student education through new opportunities for students to have hands-on laboratory testing experience and to participate in student-driven research in the important areas of geotechnical earthquake engineering and biologically-mediated geotechnics (biogeotechnics). Funding is specifically requested to purchase one resonant column soil testing device and related accessories, which will be capable of characterizing the small-strain dynamic properties of soils, an aspect of geotechnical testing which can help engineers better understand the consequences of loading imposed by earthquakes and other natural hazards on civil infrastructure systems. Important soil behavioral characteristics such as soil-stiffness degradation and energy-dissipation behaviors are critical towards understanding the larger-strain behavior of civil infrastructure subjected to earthquake loading, but cannot be studied using current equipment at UW. Thus, the addition of this capability will greatly strengthen and expand the opportunities available to our undergraduate and graduate students by allowing them to leverage multiple pieces of advanced testing equipment to perform important geotechnical analyses and develop unparalleled technical expertise. This equipment will provide an entirely new and important resource for undergraduate and graduate student problem-based learning and research. In addition to enhancing student learning opportunities related to geotechnical earthquake engineering, resonant column testing can allow students to understand a variety of other important soil behaviors including those relevant to wind-induced and wave-induced cyclic loading as well as the dynamic behavior of new geomaterials being developed by undergraduate researchers in UW CEE. For example, the soil dynamic properties assessed by students could be used to better understand a variety of different loadings on the behavior of dams and levees, building foundations, and tunnels, among other geotechnical structures. The equipment will also allow undergraduate student researchers to continue research in the emerging area of bio-mediated soil improvement, which uses microbiological processes to improve the engineering behavior of soils through mineral precipitation, biogas generation, and production of organic polymers. These processes can produce new geomaterials, which can improve the safety and resilience of civil infrastructure while reducing environmental impacts when compared to current technologies. One process, known as bio-cementation, uses soil bacteria to generate carbonate minerals to improve the behavior of soils without environmentally damaging additives. This process as well as similar technologies are currently being looked at by CEE undergraduate and graduate students and could be examined using this equipment. In summary, the requested resonant column testing equipment will dramatically strengthen the educational experiences and research opportunities available to UW CEE undergraduate and graduate students alike. The equipment will allow UW students to develop expertise in advanced soil laboratory testing, geotechnical earthquake engineering, and bio-mediated geotechnics. Both geotechnical industry and academia are seeking students with such expertise and this equipment will allow our students to have a competitive edge when looking for future educational and employment opportunities. Furthermore, the equipment will provide new opportunities for our students to reach diverse K-12 student communities and other UW and community college students considering careers in STEM and specifically engineering. For all these reasons, we believe that the addition of a resonant column device to our undergraduate geotechnical laboratory will greatly enhance UW student experiences.

Revamping Course Evaluation Catalog

Undergraduate Academic Affairs

Requested:

$13,873

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$13,873

Abstract

Since the Office of Educational Assessment began collecting students’ feedback on their experience in the classroom in 1974, OEA has published the aggregate results publicly in the Course Evaluation Catalog (CEC). For decades, UW students have used this feedback of their peers to make informed decisions about their future registration decisions. CEC became available online in the late 90’s (https://www.washington.edu/assessment/course-evaluations/cec/), and the user interface (UI) has not been updated since then. This service is in dire need of a modern overhaul, and should be developed in such a way that other UW web services could make use of the data in the future.

School of Social Work Student Laptops and Accessories, and a 24/7 Vending Machine 2021

School of Social Work

Requested:

$61,516

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$121,961

Abstract

Students at the School of Social Work (SSW) have expressed the need for 1) a more localized approach to STF funded laptop and computer accessory reservations. One that is available on-demand, with 24/7 access, fully automated, and self-service using our existing HuskyCard infrastructure for both short and long-term needs. Also, 2) the need for more localized, reservable mobile laptops and related mobile accessories. To accommodate these needs this proposal offers an innovative and sustainable solution that has the potential to be emulated to provide mobile computing and accessory vending across campus supported by local units.

Funding Status: Funded