An NDSU research initiative was one of the featured presentations at a recent global summit.
Achintya Bezbaruah, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, and NDSU IT Division staff Daniel Erichsen, Bruce Curtis and Kim Owen presented “K-12 Education: Training the Next Generation of STEM Researchers” at the 2014 Internet2 Global Summit on April 10.
The presentation featured Bezbaruah’s WateRediscover Initiative, in which students and teachers from across the globe interact using online resources, such as Internet2, and learn about research methodologies. Bezbaruah coordinates the program and guides student groups and their mentors on research projects. The program culminates each year in an international virtual conference where students present their findings.
NDSU IT Division staff helped live stream the presentation. Participants from West Fargo Liberty Middle School and Tezpur University Central School in India participated remotely to demonstrate how Internet2 can be used to promote STEM education.
The annual Internet2 gathering brings together members of the global research and education community to highlight innovative and transformative models. NDSU and the University of North Dakota have been primary Internet2 members since 1996.
Bezbaruah was one of two researchers to receive a scholarship to attend the event. He and his group perform environmental nanotechnology research conducting studies on the lifecycle of nanomaterials, nanomaterial applications for resource recovery, environmental contaminant removal and ecological implications from nanomaterials.
More information on the Internet2 Global Summit is available at http://meetings.internet2.edu/2014-global-summit. An archived recording of Bezbaruah’s session is available at http://meetings.internet2.edu/2014-global-summit/detail/10003136.
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.