Eastern Michigan University and the Detroit Public Schools
are collaborating on a National Science Foundation grant,
which supports a three-year project to help high school
students explore opportunities in geo-spatial fields and
information technologies.
The program, the Detroit iTest Youth Project (DiTYP),
is funded with an $889,000 grant from NSF.
 |
COMPUTER FORENSICS: Mike Yauk, platform
director,
electronic crime, in EMU's Center for Regional
and
National Security (CERNs), provides training
in
computer forensics to Detroit students during
a
session in Roosevelt Hall. The program, the Detroit
iTest Youth Project (DiTYP), is funded with an
$889,000
grant from the National Science
Foundation. In
addition to recovering deleted
computer files,
the 60 students learned skills in
information assurance
and geographic information
systems during a Summer
Immersion Workshop
July 20-25. |
"The program will provide two cohorts of 100 high school
students from Detroit with training and hands-on practice
in a variety of information technology (IT) management
tools," said Yichun Xie, professor of geography and geology
at EMU and project director for DiTYP. "The program will
leverage online learning environments, online mentoring
and support activities, as well as direct face-to-face
training to engage the students in STEM (science, technology,
engineering and math) learning in an urban community-based,
problem solving environment."
EMU hosted the first group of Detroit students July 20-25
for a Summer Immersion Workshop. The workshop brought 60
students to EMU's campus to live and learn. They were provided
entry-level training in geographic information systems
(GIS) and information assurance (IA). Students also met
with community leaders to learn about careers in GIS and
IA.
Several events were open to the public and took place
in Roosevelt Auditorium. These included a community college
and business/industry job fair and a keynote that focused
on how youth from disadvantaged communities should explore
careers in information technologies.
Brenda Oldfield, director for education, Training
and Workforce Development, National Cyber Security Division,
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, discussed "Cyber
Security and Communications — A New Frontier
for Career" while
Christine Nickell, chief, National IA Education and Training
Program, National Security Agency, presented "Threat
and Vulnerability Analysis — The Need for Intelligence."
During the course of the entire program, students received
approximately 250 hours of training and hands-on experience
in IT and geographic information systems and technology
(GIS/T). They also were trained in information assurance
and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) operations.
Students will serve a summer internship with a Detroit
city department or contractor to work on a real project.
"They will have an opportunity to be exposed to new technology.
They will learn that if they work hard and study hard,
they can have opportunities in other areas," Xie said.
