New England UTC Year 24 – Research/Education Project Description

UTC Project Number: MITE24-36

Project Title: Engaging Emerging Minority Youth in Real-Time, Community-Based Transportation Research and Modeling

University: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Principal Investigator:

Mark Jarzombek, ph: 617-258-8440, e-mail:

Co-Principal Investigator:

Darian Hendricks, ph: 617-435-0703, email: ,

Funding Sources: New England University Transportation Center

Total Funding:

Federal: $ 10,000

Matching: $ 10,000

Total: $ 20,000

Funding Agency: USDOT/RITA

Grant number: DTRT12-G-UTC01

Start date: 1/1/12

End date: 12/31/13

Abstract: The Robert R. Taylor Network (RRTN), in collaboration with MIT, will pilot an educational research project to engage underserved youth, primarily minority and first generation immigrants, in a community-based, data-driven mapping around the Cambridge MALL Project. The program deliverables are (1) a documented participatory curriculum which engages minority high school and college youth from the Brockton, MA area to urban planning and research from an architectural, economic, transportation, and user-centered lens; (2) a transferable model for data-driven community engagement and planning; (3) a baseline open-source technology platform for a community-based virtual Community Development Corporation (CDC); (4) active youth engagement in planning while acquiring workforce development skills; and (5) a formal evaluation. The program will begin in the summer of 2012 and end on December 31, 2013. The learning objectives are (1) to understand the interconnection of urban planning, architecture, transportation, IT, environment, system dynamics, and human behavior; (2) introduce youth to math, computation, research, real-world problem solving, and transportation-related careers; (3) apply visual design and math skills to data analysis; (4) learn basic HTML, database design, GIS-mapping, information architecture, and visualization skills; and (5) develop pre-professional skills in user research, scoping, planning, modeling, analysis, critical thinking, business writing, and communication. The Cambridge Massachusetts Avenue Living Laboratory (MALL) is a model for the vision Brockton seeks to be with development along a transportation corridor of 3 Commuter Rail stops (Campanello, Brockton, and Montello) and a BAT / MBTA Hub in Downtown Brockton. Cambridge has three main Massachusetts Avenue MBTA stops (Kendall Square / MIT, Central Square, and Harvard Square). The Metro-Boston area is much interconnected with the resident commuters of Brockton and provides access to resources not accessible or available in Brockton. This is a golden opportunity to include Brockton youth in city planning and research around transportation as a means to attract them to ASTEM fields, transportation careers, and the application of math and science to real-world problem solving and everyday life.

Describe implementation of research/education outcomes (or why not implemented):

Through a 7-10 week summer academy program at MIT, called XStudio, for elective credit and stipend, high school and college students working with professionals and MIT researchers were introduced to foundational concepts of scoping, planning, budgeting, business writing, problem definition, team building, designing an approach, public speaking, and delivery. The students developed an open-source web platform and local server to provide the means for future data collection, GIS mapping, archival storage, and then publishing to the cloud the GIS Map. In parallel, the students used various transportation modes and means to get to and from Brockton, MA to Cambridge, MA. They had hands-on, experiential learning living a professional commuter’s lifestyle everyday of the week including weekends. The students were then introduced to the CAMBRIDGE MALL Project and several of the partners involved in the project. There was a baseline independent evaluation and assessment of the program and students for the summer and the start of the academic year program to measure impact, change in attitudes and behavior, and improved math and science skills.

During the academic year and for credit and stipend, the students worked virtually from Brockton and Foxborough, on-site at MIT, and on-site in Brockton, MA and Cambridge, MA. They worked side-by-side with MIT Researchers, Professional Planners and Architects, and City Administrators from Brockton and Cambridge, to develop a current state versus future state model of the Cambridge MALL including links to Brockton. Their research included (1) looking at transportation and economic opportunity patterns between Brockton and Cambridge and possibly Cambridge and Somerville; (2) creating a model that can be re-leveraged by Brockton including insights about access, happiness, well-being, livability, and economic development. Students were active and equal participants developing their skills to perform core research and data models from conception. The process ensured the youth lens is included in community data and bring an outside perspective. And they explored how to use or develop mobile technology to help capture, record, visualize, and view information.

During the academic year, the students will plan a trip the Women of Color (WOC) Conference in Dallas, TX 2012 and the Black Engineer of the Year Award (BEYA) Conference in Washington, DC in 2013 to present their work, network with transportation professionals and be immersed in a professional conference with ASTEM Minority Professionals and Leaders. The students will also seek other sponsors and use their research as a competitive differentiator to recruiters at the College and Job Fair. A behind the scenes tour is being planned for Amtrak in DC and MBTA in Boston area.

By summer and fall 2013, the students working with the professionals will be able to pull the prototype model together as a public website for use by intended users and then replicate the model for a similar mapping of Brockton. They will also be responsible for documenting their learning and final deliverables. And a final evaluation and assessment can be performed to document all learning, impact, processes, and lessons learned.

Impacts/benefits of implementation (actual, not anticipated)

Together with the work performed during last year’s Y23 UTC Grant, we created a baseline for a full program around transportation, research, and minority youth introduction to ASTEM. This feeds into ongoing conversations with MA DOT and Boston COMPTO to partner regarding several proposed transportation-related initiatives to increase minority youth interests and career-choice into transportation careers.

Impact: High school and college students that are interested in ASTEM careers gained invaluable experience working in professional level environments. We have a database GIS system accessible for people to use. With the virtual CDC, students have a way to fund and incubate projects that have a community impact. They learned the skills necessary to be leaders and innovative entrepreneurs.

Benefit: The City of Brockton directly benefits from the contributions of the students working on this project. The students are better educated in ASTEM fields and transportation. They gained tangible work force skills that will make them competitive in college and future employment. The City of Brockton receives a data-driven map around the Cambridge MALL project.

Web links

Permanent file download link to the XStudio 2012final presentation: https://www.yousendit.com/download/TEhVeUNNNnlnYU9wSHNUQw

Link to the video of the final student presentation:

http://techtv.mit.edu/collections/rrtn/videos/20466-robert-r-taylor-network-xstudio-2012-final-presentation

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