{"id":143527,"date":"2018-11-09T08:18:48","date_gmt":"2018-11-09T13:18:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=143527"},"modified":"2023-06-27T13:03:41","modified_gmt":"2023-06-27T17:03:41","slug":"students-use-high-tech-analytics-optimize-plant-growth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2018\/11\/students-use-high-tech-analytics-optimize-plant-growth\/","title":{"rendered":"Students Use High-Tech Analytics to Optimize Plant Growth"},"content":{"rendered":"

On select Tuesday nights, Radhika Kanaskar ’18 (BUS) pops on warm boots and a heavy coat, and prepares for her management information systems class at UConn\u2019s Spring Valley Farm.<\/p>\n

Having class in a greenhouse, five miles away from the bustle of the main campus in Storrs, appeals to her because it merges her interests in gardening, sustainability, and information technology, all in one place.<\/p>\n

As part of the class, \u201cIntroduction to Industrial IoT,\u201d OPIM 4895, Kanaskar and 14 classmates are using data analytics and emerging technology to bring greater predictability to managing the University\u2019s aquaponics facility, and a dedicated greenhouse for herbs, at the farm off Spring Manor Road, near the Depot Campus.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t really need another class this semester,\u201d she says, \u201cbut it sounded so cool, I signed up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emerging Tech Skills Sought by Companies Worldwide<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Students just love this project because they can see the immediate impact that data analytics are having on the farm. — Jon Moore<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Jon Moore, an instructor-in-residence, says the course was developed as an elective after students packed a workshop on the Internet of Things (IoT) last spring. IoT is any system that uses sensors, software, electronics, and connectivity to collect and exchange information with other devices, a human operator, or a manufacturer. The emerging technology is gaining tremendous attention as a tool to solve business needs.<\/p>\n

In the early weeks of the course, students learned about aquaponics and how technology can enhance the effort to develop sustainable farming. Initially they became familiar with the sensors and how to compile data and monitor conditions for the fish.<\/p>\n

During the second phase of the class, the students apply what they have learned to grow oregano, thyme, and sage in an adjacent greenhouse. They monitor the greenhouse air temperature, soil humidity, electricity usage, and other data, which is all stored on dashboards that can be accessed from anywhere and not just the farm itself. The dashboard is created using a data analytics tool called Splunk.<\/p>\n

\"Sam<\/a>
Sam Bartlett '19 (BUS, ENG) is enrolled in an elective offered by the School of Business that uses emerging technology to improve results at a greenhouse at UConn\u2019s Spring Valley Farm. (Claire Hall\/UConn Photo)<\/div>
IoT_extra-pic<\/div>
Sam Bartlett '19 (BUS, ENG) is enrolled in an elective offered by the School of Business that uses emerging technology to improve results at a greenhouse at UConn\u2019s Spring Valley Farm. (Claire Hall\/UConn Photo)<\/div><\/div>\"Adjunct<\/a>
Adjunct professor Ryan O\u2019Connor consults students enrolled in an Internet of Things course that uses emerging technology to improve plant life at UConn\u2019s Spring Valley Farm. Students, from left, are Nicole Hamilton '19 (BUS), Tara Watrous '19 (CLAS), and Radhika Kanaskar '18 (BUS). (Claire Hall\/UConn Photo)<\/div>
Aquaponics3SV_cropped<\/div>
Adjunct professor Ryan O\u2019Connor consults students enrolled in an Internet of Things course that uses emerging technology to improve plant life at UConn\u2019s Spring Valley Farm. Students, from left, are Nicole Hamilton '19 (BUS), Tara Watrous '19 (CLAS), and Radhika Kanaskar '18 (BUS). (Claire Hall\/UConn Photo)<\/div><\/div>\"It<\/a>
It isn\u2019t traditional for MIS students to split their time between a classroom and a greenhouse, but for UConn students enrolled in a special IoT class, watching the greenhouse thrive is an indicator of their academic success. (Jon Moore\/UConn Photo)<\/div>
IoT_aquaponics (003)<\/div>
It isn\u2019t traditional for MIS students to split their time between a classroom and a greenhouse, but for UConn students enrolled in a special IoT class, watching the greenhouse thrive is an indicator of their academic success. (Jon Moore\/UConn Photo)<\/div><\/div>\"Pots<\/a>
Pots of sage growing in a dedicated greenhouse for herbs, one of the sites being managed by students in a Business elective class at Spring Valley Farm. (Jon Moore\/UConn Photo)<\/div>
IoT_plantsensor-studentprojects (003)<\/div>
Pots of sage growing in a dedicated greenhouse for herbs, one of the sites being managed by students in a Business elective class at Spring Valley Farm. (Jon Moore\/UConn Photo)<\/div><\/div>\"A<\/a>
A data analytics tool called Splunk enables students to monitor the temperature and humidity in the greenhouse on their smartphones (or computers or Appletvs). (Jon Moore\/UConn Photo)<\/div>
IoT_aquaponics-ar (003)<\/div>
A data analytics tool called Splunk enables students to monitor the temperature and humidity in the greenhouse on their smartphones (or computers or Appletvs). (Jon Moore\/UConn Photo)<\/div><\/div>\"A<\/a>
A data analytics tool called Splunk enables students to receive notifications on their smartphones. (Jon Moore\/UConn Photo)<\/div>
IoT_aquaponics-alerts (003)<\/div>
A data analytics tool called Splunk enables students to receive notifications on their smartphones. (Jon Moore\/UConn Photo)<\/div><\/div>\"The<\/a>
The Aquaponic dashboard on an Appletv. (Jon Moore\/UConn Photo)<\/div>
IoT_aquaponics-appletv (003)<\/div>
The Aquaponic dashboard on an Appletv. (Jon Moore\/UConn Photo)<\/div><\/div>\"The<\/a>
The plant sensor dashboard on an Appletv. (Jon Moore\/UConn Photo)<\/div>
IoT_plantsensor-appletv (003)<\/div>
The plant sensor dashboard on an Appletv. (Jon Moore\/UConn Photo)<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

\u201cStudents just love this project because they can see the immediate impact that data analytics are having on the farm,\u201d says Moore, who is also director of the School of Business\u2019 emerging technology program, called OPIM Innovate<\/a>. \u201cThis type of hands-on learning translates to real-world skill in emerging technology, which is highly sought after by companies worldwide.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis technology is very new, and up-and-coming,\u201d says Ryan O\u2019Connor, an adjunct professor of operations and information management, who is teaching the course. \u201cThe business advantages of using a piece of software like Splunk are really limitless.\u201d<\/p>\n

The students have designed their dashboards to notify them if, for example, the greenhouse becomes too cold, or if a door was left open. The dashboard can be accessed from a computer, phone, or Apple TV.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis generation does things differently,\u201d O\u2019Connor says. \u201cThey are more mobile, and want information that is more agile. Now, it\u2019s in their pockets.\u201d<\/p>\n

The course at Spring Valley Farm is a collaborative effort by the School of Business, the School of Engineering, and the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources. It is part of the School of Business\u2019 larger initiative to give students knowledge and experience with data analytics, virtual reality, microcontrollers, 3D printing, and other emerging technology.<\/p>\n

Moore says the MIS program will continue to work with teams at Splunk to bring cutting-edge, analytics-based curriculum to UConn students. In the spring, the School will be offering a special-topics course on \u201cFoundation of Machine Learning,\u201d which will focus on using the Splunk Machine Learning Toolkit. And, he says, the School is exploring additional real-world projects that entail experiential learning.<\/p>\n

\u2018Everything Today Can Be More Automated\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Back in the greenhouse, Abigail Chromik ’20 (BUS), an MIS major with a minor in analytics, says once she recognized the potential of IoT in business, she was eager to learn more.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis class is definitely different from most. With our aquaponics project, we can monitor everything in the environment and watch for dangerous levels,\u201d she says. “To apply this technology to a larger farm could definitely save a business a great deal of money. It seems everything today can be more automated.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nicole Hamilton ’19 (BUS), an MIS major, says she enjoys innovative technology and was familiar with Splunk through an internship and part-time work at United Technologies Corp.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow I can say, \u2018Oh, I\u2019ve had experience with that.\u2019 We talk about the ways you can better use data, and how Splunk can help,\u201d she says. \u201cI\u2019ve enjoyed trying to figure out how we can help the farm and its operations using sensor data.\u201d<\/p>\n

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