Summer Workshop on Artificial Intelligence:
Special Topic on Human, Crowd, Environment, and Robotics

A simulation showing how crowd escape through narrow exits. Video created by Samuel S. Sohn.

Introduction

Computing is a ubiquitous part of modern life. However, it is also clear that large groups of our population are not yet included in computing research, education, and jobs. As a part of Broadening Participation in Computing Plan under Rutgers-TCNJ collaborative research Project NUCLEUM, this student-focused workshop aims to provide high school students gain experience in artificial intelligence through one-day workshops at Rutgers Universtiy and The College of New Jersey (TCNJ).

Workshop for High School Students

Tentative Schedule of The Day

8:00 am - 9:30 am

Travel to TCNJ

10:00 am - 10:45 am

Session 1: Hands-on Virtual Reality Experiments

	You will participate in an on-going research activity by navigating and evacuating from virtual reality environments.
	You will see how well you and your peers did in the evacuation tasks!

11:00 am - 11:30 am

Session 2: Programming Tutorial

You will learn basics about basic Python programming to prepare for the exciting afternoon session.

11:45 am - 12:45 pm

Lunch

12:45 pm - 1:15 pm

Short TCNJ Campus Tour

1:15 pm - 3:30 pm

Session 3: Hands-on session about selected topics in AI

Students will experience some basic examples of AI research topics that were introduced in Session 2. Specifically, students will be given a simplified robot navigation problem, and will be provided with software tools to see how the software can be used to solve the problem. Some easy-to-understand computer science concepts and algorithms used in the software will be explained as well.

Time permitting, you will see how real robots can navigate in environments based on the steering policy you design.

4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

Travel time to return to schools

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the experience?

There will be visits to: Computer Science Research Lab (TCNJ), participation in hands-on activities of real-world Artificial Intelligence (AI) research projects.

Who is eligible to apply?

This year (2023), students from Hamilton Township School District (HTSD) and Mercer County Technical Schools (MCTS) in New Jersey are invited to participate. We aim to expand the participants from other school districts in the years to come. If you are from other school districts and interested in future opportunities, please reach out to Dr. Sejong Yoon at TCNJ.

What sort of things will I be learning and how do they relate to the real world?

Do you have questions about artificial intelligence?
What are some uses of AI in the real world?
How can AI be used to predict events, such as evacuation routes for large crowd gatherings, or emergency evacuations in large high rise buildings?
What’s the technology behind self-driving cars?
How is AI used to solve environmental problems and other global issues?

Do I need to know anything about computer science or coding for this event?

No experience is necessary and by the end of the event, you will have an opportunity to learn how to solve a problem with programs using AI.

When is the field trip?

Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Will transportation be provided?

Yes, a bus will pick you up and drop you off at your home high school.
Morning: West (HTSD), Steinert (HTSD), Nottingham (HTSD), Sypek (MCTS)
Evening: Sypek (MCTS), Nottingham (HTSD), Steinert (HTSD), West (HTSD)

* Note: Students who attend HEP should plan to get the bus from West.

What is the time of the field trip?

Transportation to TCNJ: 8:00 am - 9:30 pm
Field Trip to TCNJ: 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Transportation back to home high schools: 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

**As the date of the trip nears, more specific time windows will be provided for pick up and return to schools.

How do I apply for this Field Trip?

~~Application - Submit by May 1, 2024~~

If I already filled out the form, do I have to fill it out again?

No. Your responses are saved.

Is there an age requirement?

Interested students should apply. Students who are not 17 will need to have a parent/guardian sign the permission form when it is available. You must be at least 15 years old by the workshop date.

Is there a cost for me to attend the event?

No. Up to 30 students have a unique opportunity for a computer science day of learning thanks to support from a National Science Foundation research grant awarded to Dr. Sejong Yoon, in collaboration with faculty in the School of Education, at TCNJ.

How will I know that I have been accepted to attend the field trip?

You will receive an email from Dr. Sejong Yoon with news of your acceptance and additional details on or about May 15, 2024.

Workshop History

This workshop is a four-year project started in Summer 2021. We keep the exciting memory here.
2024
Student Participant Demographic	92 applicants 51% female / 48% male / 1% others 28% black or african american / 34% hispanic or latinx / 2% American Indians / 1% Other Pacific Islanders Invited 53 applicants; 19 final participants
Pieces of Memories
2023
Student Participant Demographic	97 applicants 41% female / 55% male / 4% others 25% black or african american / 45% hispanic or latinx / 2% American Indians Invited 39 applicants; 14 final participants
Pieces of Memories
2022
Student Participant Demographic	64 applicants 38% female / 62% male 27% black or african american / 30% hispanic or latinx Invited 38 applicants; 26 final participants
Pieces of Memories
2021
Student Participant Demographic	27 applicants 55% female / 45% male 30% black or african american / 37% hispanic or latinx Invited all applicants; 12 final participants
Pieces of Memories