Our labs are very impressive; typically a network of 30-100 computers boasting the latest technology, most cutting-edge games and applications and the kind of decorations that only iD staff know how to bring.  However what is equally impressive is that the labs are built from scratch in a mere 48 hour time period. That’s right, in only 48 hours iD staff is expected to turn a totally empty class room into a lab space worthy of the iD name.  What more impressive is that it is typically accomplished with only a couple of staff.  I consider myself an expert at setting up labs at this point and try to help set up as many locations as possible.  I decided to doucment how a typical lab set-up runs while I set up the Ohio State University lab with the help of OSU lead instructor Bryce (who was also the writer of our ‘09  Web-Design and Flash Animation Curriclum):

Day 1

Day one is all preparation for the arrival of the computers which happens the following day.  Prior to arrival “Camp-In-A-Box” (C.I.A.B.) has been shipped to the University location.  CIAB contains all the non-tech related materials to run a successful camp.  The combine shipping weight of “Camp-In-A-Box” averages at close to 500lbs.  The main objectives of day one are to un-pack an organize 100% of the “Camp-In-A-Box-Materials”, purchase any additional materials needed and then to prepare all the workstations for the arrival of the computers the next day.

Bryce is consumed by “Camp-In-A-Box”!

Every single item is inventoried

I never did finish making the cabinet…

Finally, set up and ready for the computers!

Day 2

Day two is all about the computers; inventorying them, setting them up, setting up peripherals, networking them and finally testing them.  To stress test the electical needs of the room, we turn them all on and off at the same time, nothing like hearing the windows start-up song coming out of 30 machines at the same time (I’ll try to get a video of that, did you know Brian Eno made the theme?).  Once the computers are set up, if there is still time we’ll unwind by making some decorations.

More boxes!

What’s crazier, that pile of ethernet cables or boxes stacked all the way to the cieling?

Things are beginning to shape up….

Now there is a lab!

Of course, the most important part is still missing and won’t arrive for another day:

THE STUDENTS!!!

Rock on Bryce!

That’s all for now!  Sorry I’ve been quiet the past couple months but now that camp is over (and I’ve taken a well deserved break) you’ll be hearing a lot more from ‘ole Grizzle!

Hey guys, I’m currently on the road at one of iD’s Tech newest locations: Ohio State University! Let me tell you I’m excited for this location! After my tour today I have no doubt that we are in good hands at OSU, here are some of the highlights:

• One-bedroom apt. style dorms: Each dorm room has a living room and a bedroom area and its own bathroom! During the year, these rooms house 4 college students but we’ll be using them for only 2 iD Tech Students (shh… don’t tell the OSU freshman that!)

• An amazing Campus! OSU is the biggest single campus university in the entire country and every inch of it is filled with something interesting, cool art installments and amazing architecture from also most every American period.

• Lots of fields to play on, nice cafeteria, lots of fun stores and cafes to visit, I could go on!

Additionally, while on campus I experienced an amazing chance encounter!

As I was heading toward my car to leave I ran into my good friend Jennifer who I had known in Davis, CA but had since lost touch with. I had absolutely no idea that she had enrolled as a Ph.D. student as OSU. This lead us ponder; what were are the odds that we would run into each other in that fashion? As an engineering student, I’m sure she’ll appreciate this handy work. The odds of us having a rendezvous were:

9.9282872 × 10^-26

derived from:

(1/12*1/260*1/240*(1/76,447,800*20) )*(1/7 * 1/274*1/480(1/76,447,800*20))

-or-

(M*D1*T1(L1*20))*(P*D2*T2(L2*20))

Variables:

Odds that I would be responsible for this particular iD Tech location. As we have 12 regional managers (an un-paralleled level of support for our camps) let the odds of me managing this locations: “M” = 1/12

Odds that I would be visiting OSU on that particular day of the year. Though there are 365 days in a year, there are only 260 work-week days on which I can conduct business so let days: “D” = 1/260

Time spent on campus. As I spent about 4 hours and our rendezvous would not have occurred if I was offset by even 1 minute, let: “T1” = 1/240 (60 minutes)

Odds that I would be in that specific location on campus. . Ohio State University is the largest single-campus university in the entire country, weighing in at 76,447,800 square feet. So let my odds of being in that particular location be: “L1” = 1/ 76,447,800.

Constants:

Though I can only be in one place at a time we must assume that I can identify people within 20 square feet of me so we’ll need to multiply L by 20.

Currently we have equation:

1/12 * 1/260 * 1/2 * (1/76,447,800*20)

-or -

M*D1*T1(L1*20)

However, this falsely assumes that my friend

1) Was not considering any other PHD programs when applying

2) Stayed in a fixed position on campus all day

So we need to include an entire other half of the equation for her. It will be similar to mine but we have to adjust certain items. For instance we’ll assume that she spends 3/4’s of the year on campus (D2) and we’ll assume that OSU was one of 7 different PhD programs which she applied to (P). Also we’ll assume that on days she is on campus she spends the entire day work-day on campus (T2). So her side of the coin looks like:

(1/7 * 1/274 * 1/480 (1/76,447,800*20))

-or-

(P*D2*T2(L2*20))

When combine with my side, the result is 9.9282872 × 10^-26 which is a face-meltingly small number, far lower then getting a royal flush in poker or even winning the state lottery.

(outside one of the engineering buildings at OSU)

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