NSF awards nearly $1 million for System to build cyberinfrastructure that will expand Maine’s access to new research, learning opportunities
Orono, Maine — The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded the University of Maine System (UMS) nearly $1 million to build new cyberinfrastructure that will expand the state’s access to scientific data, expertise and learning opportunities across New England and beyond. The equipment funded by the $976,496 NSF award will create high-speed, 400 gigabit-per-second (Gbps) network connections between the System’s supercomputer cluster at its flagship institution, the University of Maine (UMaine), and two premier research and education facilities in New England: the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center and the Northern Crossroads Gigabit Point of Presence, the region’s primary connector to Internet2. “Digital connectivity is essential for the success of Maine’s schools and students in the 21st century – opening up a whole new world of resources and learning,” said U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King of Maine. “The University of Maine System’s ‘You Can Get There from Here’ network will create important new connections to expand scientific collaboration throughout New England and increase education opportunities across our state. This is a perfect example of how modern technologies like broadband connections can bring more opportunities to rural, underserved areas, and bring our state into the future.” Tapping into these facilities, both of which are dedicated to supporting research and education in New England, will increase the computing capacity of the System’s network infrastructure by more than tenfold. As a result, the new equipment will enhance the ability for Maine researchers, particularly those at small, under-resourced institutions, to share data and resources and collaborate with other experts worldwide. The connection to these hubs also will allow UMS to connect to additional research partners in northern New England in the future by offering intermediate add and drop support in Keene, New Hampshire, and Portland, Maine. “Research and innovation rely on collaboration and networks, and at times that can be challenging in our rural and remote locations,” said UMS Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation and UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy. “I want to thank Senators Collins and King for their continued support of investment in science and technology. With this National Science Foundation award, the University of Maine System will connect its cutting-edge computational resources and world-class researchers to colleagues across the Northeast and nation, and students in our state’s PK–12 and postsecondary schools. Together, we can solve problems, and create new knowledge and opportunity for Maine and beyond. This project shows the terrific power and potential of our R1 flagship research university to help strengthen our entire university system, and build Maine’s capacity and global competitiveness.” Bruce Segee, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UMaine; will lead the project and collaborate with Jeff Letourneau, executive director of NetworkMaine, a unit of the UMS that provides internet and related-services to various stakeholders across the state; and Garret Peirce, the System’s network architect. “Virtually all research in the 21st century utilizes computers and high speed networks. Maine has traditionally been at a tremendous disadvantage.” says Segee. “This grant will allow Maine researchers to meaningfully collaborate with the rest of the world, both by making resources outside Maine more accessible, and also by making data and resources in Maine more accessible to the rest of the world.” Many schools throughout the state use high-speed internet from NetworkMaine, meaning they will benefit from the upgrades to UMS cyberinfrastructure. In particular, the NSF-funded equipment could broaden educational offerings for K–12 students by connecting them with world-class researchers willing to share their work and experiences. “Maine’s K-12 schools and public libraries have been national leaders in digital learning for decades. This 10x increase in out-of-state capacity will allow us to continue to support their innovation as they bring learning opportunities to all of Maine’s population regardless of location or income,” says Letourneau. UMS not only tries to improve Maine researchers’ access to resources through cyberinfrastructure upgrades, but also through collaborations with various organizations, including the Northeast Cyberteam, the Ecosystem for Research Networking, the Northeast Research and Education Network, the Open Storage Network and the Open Science Grid.
Maine’s Schools and Libraries, the Internet and E-Rate
For over 20 years the majority of the cost to connect Maine’s K-12 schools and public libraries to the Internet has been paid for with E-Rate funds. E-Rate is the “friendly” name of one of the FCC’s Universal Service Fund programs. Officially the program is called the Schools and Libraries Program. The FCC has the Universal Service Administration Company, or USAC, administer all of the Universal Service Programs including the E-Rate program. Networkmaine files a consortium application with USAC for E-Rate funding each year on behalf of its members that participate in the MSLN Project. E-Rate covers roughly 70% of the connectivity costs of the MSLN Project. In recent years, that has represented over $4.0 million of E-Rate support coming to Maine. The map below depicts information pulled from USAC’s OpenData website detailing successful applications for Data Transmission Services and/or Internet Access, referred to as “Category 1 services”, in E-Rate funding years 2018, 2019, and 2020. https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/embed?mid=1R2MDqh1_HcXV_iJjZc6cdo9LyIUOir9S” class=”” frameborder=”0″>
Networkmaine, MDOE Upgrading 301 PreK-12 Schools to Gigabit Speeds
Pandemic exposes growing need to improve broadband connectivity for remote learning ORONO, MAINE (Dec. 30, 2020) – Networkmaine, a unit of the University of Maine System responsible for the design and operation of Maine’s research and education network (MaineREN) that delivers high-speed Internet and technology services to support education, research, public service, government and economic development throughout the state, announced today a partnership with the Maine Department of Education to upgrade network connections at preK-12 schools through the Maine School and Library Network (MSLN) project. Internet connections at an estimated 301 preK-12 schools have or will receive upgrades as part of the project. Follow this link for a coverage map of schools receiving upgrades. “COVID’s effects on our education systems in Maine and throughout the country are well-documented,”said Jeff Letourneau, executive director of Networkmaine. “Many schools in our state have been connected at 100 Mbps or lower as their previous use of the Internet didn’t demand any more than that amount.” In Maine schools remote and hybrid learning models are driving the need for additional bandwidth especially at the elementary level. In order to implement safety requirements that have proven to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19, many-school districts are using some form of hybrid learning where half of the student body is in the classroom and the other half participate remotely. “The heavy usage of video conferencing has dramatically increased bandwidth consumption at schools, necessitating the upgrades to gigabit speeds,” explained Letourneau. “Since early on in this pandemic student connectivity has been a top priority,” said Beth Lambert, Director of Innovative Teaching and Learning at the Maine Department of Education. “Maine’s teachers and administrators have been working tirelessly to adapt and, in many cases, learn new skills in order to teach their students during this disruption. I am proud that we are able to provide this upgrade and remove the barrier of limited bandwidth and allow educators to reach their students without interruption.” Through MaineREN, Networkmaine provides Internet access, email, web hosting, and other technology services to almost 1,000 preK-12 schools and libraries across the State of Maine. The MSLN Gigabit Upgrade project started in November, and to date there are 112 upgrades complete – all upgrades to schools are scheduled for completion by April 2021. “NetworkMaine does a fantastic job supporting Internet access for Maine’s schools,” added Vince Vanier, Technology Coordinator for the Madawaska School Department. “We would be in a world of hurt without it.” Networkmaine was able to leverage E-Rate funding to bring bandwidth relief to Maine’s preK-12 schools this year. The FCC made additional E-Rate funding available in September in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. ### About NetworkMaine Networkmaine is a unit of the University of Maine System providing Maine’s Research & Education (R&E) community with access to high-bandwidth, low-latency connectivity and complimentary services that enhance their ability to successfully deliver on their missions. Created in 2009 by a memorandum of understanding, Networkmaine operates through a coordinating council which is comprised of the University of Maine System, the Maine State Department of Education, the Maine State Library, and the Maine State Government Office of Information Technology. The Networkmaine Council provides the public entities served with greater involvement in shaping the future of Maine’s research and education network, MaineREN.