Sun Corridor Awarded National Science Foundation Grant to Expand Community College Research

The Sun Corridor Network (SCN), a regional research and education network founded by Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and University of Arizona, has been awarded a National Science Foundation Grant to expand Arizona community college research communication capabilities. With this extension, faculty and STEM courses at Coconino and Maricopa County community colleges will have high-performance network access to SCN and Internet2. 

This grant enables design, development and installation of Science DMZs at Coconino Community College, Estrella Mountain Community College, Chandler-Gilbert Community College and Phoenix College. Science DMZs are purpose-built networks optimized for high-performance scientific applications, and include software, network hardware and servers designed for high-throughput, low latency data transfers.

Science DMZs bring together resources for STEM research and education, including high-end computing that enable exciting projects. For example, a student or faculty member at a Maricopa community college may now be able to remotely steer the telescope at Coconino County’s Lowell Observatory and take photos in real time.

This capability is just one facet of a greater commitment to ASU’s metropolitan Phoenix fiber ring and an NAU extension to empower rural communities, including a tribal consortium. Ultimately, the grant will help work that provides faster internet throughout the Valley’s institutions and northern Arizona, another step in improving opportunities for communities outside of the University. As architectures are being developed, locations at the colleges are scouted and equipment is being bought, the future of 200,000 students benefiting from this major expansion is bright.