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MWCS SUPER BEE

Supercomputer

http://www.mwcsk12.org/MWCS_Super_Bee/Super_Bee/Home.html

What is a Supercomputer?

A supercomputer channels all of its power into performing a single task, as fast as possible, with at least 16 processors, at the same time.

A regular computer uses all of its power to perform many programs at the same time.

Project Participants

Our networked supercomputer was created through the combined efforts of the MWCS Robotics class, Cisco Networking Academy and Service Learning Credit students. Additionally, past graduates and local Clarkson University students were involved.

Supercomputer Statistics

We believe that MWCS is the first student-built, student operated supercomputer in the North Country.

The cost was under $1000

Comprised of legacy (old) computers

The benefits to the students are immeasurable!

Students

• Researched how to build the supercomputer
• Assembled the legacy computers
• Established the network
• Identified uses for academic and research projects
• Created a project web site
• Planned an open house forum to report progress on their projects to the local and scientific community

Project Goals

Our goal is to encourage student interest in math, technology engineering, and science courses.

With teachers, independent researchers, and local businesses, we plan to develop local applications to solve local problems.

Software upgrades will allow us to network our supercomputer with other schools, thereby encouraging the replication of the SuperBee, with ever-increasing speed & capacity.

Other high profile projects for consideration include medical cancer research, stem cell and gene folding, processing data from the Hubble telescope and the new CERN Supercollider.

What is a Supercomputer Used For?

Supercomputers are used for specific applications that require a significant number of mathematical calculations such as video and photo rendering, medical & scientific research.

Who Could Use the  Supercomputer?

Our SuperBee supercomputer is suitable for use by not only local school districts, but also by NASA, research projects sponsored by the National Science Foundation and others.

The St. Lawrence County STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Partnership is enhancing the content knowledge and teaching skills of 200 teachers teaching science, technology, and math. This partnership between all 18 St. Lawrence County School Districts, St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES, and STEM Institute of Higher Education department at Clarkson University are at the core of these improvement efforts.

   Mathematics teams from two St. Lawrence County Schools, Madrid-Waddington Central School and Ogdensburg City School, successfully competed in the international mathematics competition HiMCM (High School Mathematical Contest in Modeling).   This competition is sponsored each year by COMAP, Consortium for Mathematics and its Applications.   It is a highly rigorous 36 hour competition in which teams work on a real-world problem that requires high level mathematical problem solving skills as well as communication and organization skills.

This year’s competition consisted of 269 teams of up to four students each. The National Outstanding Winners included The Hong Kong International School and The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy.  The team representing Madrid-Waddington Central School was recognized as an Honorable Mention Winner.  Their team consisting of members Steven Morgan, James Lavieri, Kim Gates, and Mark Ruddy was coached by teachers Troy Creurer and Sandra Ruddy.

   The local involvement in this particular contest (through the St. Lawrence STEM Partnership) is under the guidance of Professor Kathleen Fowler of Clarkson’s Mathematics Department. The STEM Partnership which is a partnership between SLL BOCES and Clarkson University makes this competition as well as many other Mathematics and Science initiatives available to its 18 school districts in St Lawrence and Lewis Counties.  “This competition is a tremendous opportunity for area high school students to compete with the best students throughout the world on real world problems using their mathematical problem solving skills.  Madrid-Waddington’s success is quite remarkable considering the level of competition, and especially for a first-time participant.  It is very rewarding to see this level of participation by our area high school students as part of the STEM Partnership”, said Peter Turner, Clarkson University Interim Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and Chair of the Mathematics and Computer Science Departments.