SOUTH KINGSTOWN – Four Champlin Foundation grants totaling $623,460 were awarded to four University of Rhode Island educational technology tools, the state’s flagship research institute announced Tuesday.
Since 1986 the Champlin Foundation has granted more than $14 million to the state’s public university. Programs highlighted this year include projects focused on artificial intelligence, broadcast media, chemistry and engineering. They are as follows:
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- In-house printed circuit board fabrication station ($168,595): This grant was awarded for the purchase of the tool which will be used across multiple departments including teaching in electrical, computer, biomedical, mechanical and chemical engineering courses as well as computer science. Students will be able to use the station to create their own circuit prototypes in preparation for careers in next-generation high-speed wireless network infrastructure, machine learning, smart cities, Internet of Things, robotics and self-driving vehicles.
- Chemistry from the Back Row: Engaging students using a suite of state-of-the-art chemical instruments for the real-time visualization of chemical reactions and phenomena ($162,000): This instrumentation will give approximately 2,400 students better understanding of chemical reactivity, including the movement, properties and interactions of molecules. It will be used in large enrollment, undergraduate courses including chemistry, chemical engineering, environmental engineering and geoscience disciplines and applicable to those interested in chemistry, chemical engineering, chemical enterprise and health care careers.
- Professional HD, video/sound recording, production and broadcast center ($149,800): The center will include state-of-the-art digital video/sound recording and production capabilities and will significantly enhance and expand curricula and job placement opportunities for students as broadcast journalists and anchors, multimedia reporters, videographers and digital video editors, film producers and directors, camera operators, video and audio engineers as well as public affairs professionals.
- ai.uri: The Artificial Intelligence Lab ($143,065): For the creation of an artificial intelligence lab at the Carothers Library and Learning Commons on the Kingston campus which will provide an easy-to-access facility and serve thousands of students in all disciplines interested in robotics, natural language processing, smart cities, smart homes, the Internet of Things and big data.
“The Champlin Foundation’s generous support of the University’s teaching mission has enriched the education of thousands of URI students, whether in engineering, communications, health sciences, emerging technologies or other programs. Their strategic investment in cutting-edge scientific equipment and advanced technologies has distinguished our academic programs and provided distinctive learning opportunities for our students,” said URI provost and vice president for academic affairs Donald H. DeHayes in prepared remarks.
Emily Gowdey-Backus is a staff writer for PBN. You can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey or contact her via email, gowdey-backus@pbn.com.
