CC* Planning: UCCS Computational Cluster for Science

科罗拉多大学科罗拉多斯普林斯分校(UCCS)是一所处于转型中的学校，在2019年被评为“高研究活动”大学。虽然UCCS拥有用于教育目的的良好网络基础设施，但迫切需要和有机会制定一项为科学研究提供计算支持的计划。最大化计算基础设施的影响取决于使用的规模和范围。这个项目的一个主要部分是分析UCCS当前和计划的科学计算需求，然后将它们映射到设计中，这需要仔细的研究来优化。调查人员正在使用多管齐下的方法来提高认识，收集定性数据，并收集基于既定动机理论的定制数据。这种方法产生基线数据，并评估随着未来基础设施变化而随时间的变化。这个规划项目的目标之一是设计和测试网络愿望和准备情况评估(CARA)工具。该工具作为一种理论驱动的工具，用于纵向评估最初的抱负、对障碍的看法和成功的机会。这一规划过程帮助整个校园的STEM教师更好地了解计算如何加速他们的研究，以及他们如何利用不同的计算资源。这样的模式、流程和经验不仅使UCCS受益，而且可以在其他机构的风险评估、基准和计算基础设施规划期间的其他活动中复制。这项网络基础设施计划提供了UCCS内外广泛的科学、工程和教育团队所需的迫切需要的能力。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Classified as a “high research activity” university in 2019, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is a school in transition. While UCCS has good Cyber Infrastructure for educational purposes, there is an urgent need and opportunity to develop a plan for computational support for scientific research. Maximizing a computational infrastructure’s impact depends on the scale and scope of usage. A major part of this project is the analysis of the current and planned scientific computational needs at UCCS and then mapping them to design, which requires careful research to optimize. The investigators are using a multi-pronged approach to raise awareness, gather qualitative data, and collect custom data grounded within established motivational theory. This approach yields baseline data and assesses change over time with future infrastructural changes.One aim of this planning project is the design and testing of a Cyber Aspirations and Readiness Assessment (CARA) instrument. The instrument serves as a theoretically driven tool for longitudinal assessment of initial aspirations, perceptions of barriers, and opportunities for success. This planning process helps STEM faculty across campus better understand how computing could accelerate their research, and how they could utilize different computational resources. Such a model, processes, and experiences not only benefit UCCS, but could be replicated at other institutions for their risk assessment, benchmarking, and other activities during their computation infrastructure planning. This plan for a cyber infrastructure provides a much needed capability required by a broad range of science, engineering, and education teams at UCCS and beyond.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.