THIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO ENRICH THE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT OUR STATE AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

CONNECTING MARYLANDERS TO THEIR GOVERNMENT, THIS IS "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: WELCOME TO "STATE CIRCLE".

JUST AHEAD ON OUR PROGRAM THIS WEEK, A BOOST FOR NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING AND THE INVENTION THAT COULD REVOLUTIONIZE YOUR AIR-CONDITIONER.

A CHANGE AT THE TOP OF ONE OF THE STATE'S MOST INFLUENTIAL GROUPS MARYLAND'S LARGEST TEACHERS' UNION.

WE SPOKE WITH THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE MARYLAND STATE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

>> I'M A HIGH SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER MOST RECENTLY AT RESERVOIR HIGH AND I LOVE TEACHING GOVERNMENT AND LAW.

AND I CAME TO IT THROUGH SORT OF A CIRCUITOUS ROUTE I WAS COVERING A MEETING AT LSU WHEN I WAS A GRAD STUDENT FOR THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER.

COVERING A MEETING ABOUT THE RECRUITMENT OF TEACHERS TO WORK IN INCARCERATED SETTINGS.

AND THAT WAS VERY COMPELLING TO ME WORK WITH THE KIDS THAT NEED TO DO THE MOST.

SO I JUMPED IN THERE.

I TAUGHT SPECIAL EDUCATION FOR FOUR YEARS.

AND THEN FROM DOING WHAT WE CALL INCLUSION WORK WHERE THE SPECIAL ED TEACHER IS IN A GENERAL CLASSROOM, I REALLY DISCOVERED A LOVE OF CIVICS AND GOVERNMENT AND GOT GOING IN THAT SUBJECT AREA AFTERWARD.

MY UNION WORK STARTED IN A RELATED WAY.

MY COLLEAGUES KNEW I WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT THESE THINGS AND STARTED DRAFTING ME TO TALK TO LEGISLATORS OR LOBBY FOR THIS BILL WITH THEM.

AND I WAS BITTEN BY THAT BUG.

AND THE REST IS HISTORY AS THEY SAY.

I WAS A LOCAL PRESIDENT AT HOWARD AND BECAME STATE PRESIDENT THIS YEAR.

>> Jeff: YOUR TERM AS STATE PRESIDENT IS THREE YEARS, TELL US ABOUT THAT AND YOUR GOALS OVER THAT TERM?

>> YES, IT IS A THREE-YEAR TERM YOU CAN BE REELECTED ONCE.

WE ARE SIX YEARS AT THE MOST.

AND MY GOALS ARE REALLY TO REVITALIZE THIS ORGANIZATION AS INTERNALLY.

WE WANT OUR MEMBERS TO KNOW WHO THE PRO PUBLIC EDUCATION CANDIDATES ARE AND WHAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS DOING.

AND EXTERNALLY IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE A STRONG VOICE.

AND SO THAT MEANS MAKING SURE WE'RE IN CONTACT WITH OUR POLICYMAKERS AS THEY MAKE POLICY ABOUT SCHOOLS, ABOUT SCHOOL FUNDING AND ABOUT CLASS SIZE AND EVERYTHING THAT TOUCHES OUR KIDS IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO ASK A TEACHER ABOUT IT AND THAT'S MY JOB.

>> Jeff: TELL US ABOUT THE CHALLENGES THAT YOUR MEMBERS FACE.

YOU TALKED ABOUT WORKING IN SPECIAL EDUCATION.

SOCIETY'S PROBLEMS DON'T STOP AT THE CLASSROOM DOOR.

YOU HAVE ABSENTEEISM KIDS COMING FROM DIFFICULT SITUATIONS.

WHY IS THE JOB MORE CHALLENGING THAN MAYBE EVERYBODY AROUND THE STATE CAN APPRECIATE?

>> UM, WELL, I DON'T THINK IT IS A SECRET THAT TEACH SOMETHING A HARD JOB.

PICTURE YOURSELF IN A ROOM WITH 30 TEENAGERS.

AND I THINK THE HARD THING FOR PEOPLE TO REALLY COMPREHEND IS THE GRIND, THE WORKLOAD.

SO I'LL TELL YOU IF I HAVE 125 STUDENTS, AND I LOOK AT THEIR WORK FOR JUST TWO MINUTES EACH, IN A WEEK, WE'RE AT 250 MINUTES.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FOUR HOURS.

IF I GIVE YOUR CHILD TWO MINUTES OF MY TIME IN TERMS OF RESPONDING TO THEIR WORK THAT WEEK AND OBVIOUSLY MOST TEACHERS DO MORE THAN THAT.

SO THE EIGHT, 10, 12-HOUR DAY IS A VERY REAL THING FOR A TEACHER.

AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO ADD THAT IT IS ALSO A GREAT JOB.

THAT SAME THING THAT I WARNED YOU ABOUT HANGING OUT WITH 30 KIDS, FOUR OR FIVE HOURS A DAY THAT IS EXHILARATING IT'S EXCITING IT'S WHAT MAKES US HOP OUT OF BHED -- BED AND DO IT.

YOU HAVE TWO EDGES OF THAT SWORD THE ENERGY OF THE PEOPLE IS TAXING AND WE NEED GREAT PEOPLE TO DO IT.

IT IS A GREAT JOB AND CAN BE HARD TO RECRUIT INTO.

>> Jeff: THE KERWIN BLUEPRINT EDUCATION PLAN WAS SUPPOSED TO ULTIMATELY SEND A LOT OF MONEY INTO EDUCATION IN PART TO BOOST TEACHER SALARIES TO HELP WITH RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF TEACHERS.

ARE YOU SEEING ANY OF THAT YET?

>> YES.

WE'RE SEEING ON AVERAGE ABOUT A 15% INCREASE IN SALARIES SINCE 2019.

SO THAT'S FIVE YEARS IT'S NOT A GIANT SALARY INCREASE.

>> Jeff: EXCEPT YOU KNOW WE'VE HAD 20% INFLATION IN THAT TIME, TOO.

>> YOU'RE NOT WRONG.

IF WE EVEN GO LONGER TEACHERS HAVE LOST GROUND RELATIVE TO INFLATION EVEN THOUGH IT LOOKS LIKE THEIR PAY HAS INCREASED.

SO THAT'S TRUE.

I AM GLAD YOU MENTIONED IT.

WE CAN'T TALK ABOUT THE PAY OF ANYBODY WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT INFLATION.

BUT SALARIES HAVE IMPROVED AT LEAST ON THE AMOUNT I SAID ABOUT 15% IN FIVE YEARS.

AND WE DON'T YET KNOW IF THE BLUEPRINT HAS HAD A MAKE IMPACT ON STAFFING SHORTAGES JUST YET.

BECAUSE THAT'S GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE TIME.

WE DO SEE MORE PEOPLE ENTERING INTO EDUCATION IN OUR COLLEGES OF EDUCATION OUR TEACHER PREP PROGRAMS.

SO IT'S A MAYBE ON WHETHER IT'S HAD A BIG EFFECT ON STAFFING SHORTAGES.

BUT, LET'S ACKNOWLEDGE SOME OF THE BIG THINGS THAT IT DOES.

THERE ARE NEW PATHWAYS FOR PEOPLE TO ENTER THE TEACHING PROFESSION.

THERE'S NEW CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY ED OPTIONS FOR KIDS.

THERE'S BETTER ONE-ON-ONE SMALL GROUP INSTRUCTION MORE OF THAT FROM INCREASED STAFFING.

SO IT REALLY IS A ONCE IN A GENERATION LAW AND SOME GOOD THINGS ARE ALREADY HAPPENING AND WE WANT TO KEEP THAT GOING.

>> Jeff: WHAT'S THE UNION PERSPECTIVE ON THE FOCUS ON TEST SCORES?

I THINK ON SOMETHING CALLED THE NATION'S REPORT CARD, MARYLAND DOESN'T DO GREAT.

COMPARED TO OUR WEALTH RELATIVE WEALTH AS A STATE WE ARE 40TH IN TEST SCORES.

WAT IS THE PATH TO IMPROVING THAT?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK PART OF THE PATH TO IMPROVING THOSE MEASURES IS ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF OUR KIDS AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.

WE WANT TO DO THAT ACROSS SUBJECT AREAS.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE -- AND YOU PROBABLY KNOW THIS -- THE BIGGEST DETERMINANT OF A KID'S EDUCATIONAL GROWTH IS HAVING A GREAT TEACHER.

SO THE BLUEPRINT'S CRITICAL IN ADDRESSING HAVING GOOD TEACHERS COME INTO THE PROFESSION AND TRYING TO KEEP THEM THERE.

AND IT IS A LONG-TERM THING.

OF COURSE, TEST SCORES ARE ONE TINY PIECE OF IT.

I HAVE YET TO SEE A TEST SCORE THAT DOESN'T TRACK CLOSELY WITH POVERTY AND MARYLAND HAS POVERTY ISSUES IF YOU HAVE JUST MOVED HERE AND THIS IS THE FIRST THING YOU ARE SEEING WE HAVE KIDS THAT ARE STRUGGLING BEFORE THEY EVER REACH SCHOOL WITH THAT MILLION WORD GAP, MEANING A KID FROM A MORE AFFLUENT HOUSE IS LIKELY TO HAVE HEARD OR READ A MILLION WORDS MORE THAN THEIR KID FROM A POORER HOUSEHOLD.

SO TEST SCORES ARE ALSO A REFLECTION OF THE INEQUALITY IN SOCIETY GENERALLY.

>> Jeff: WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE STATE'S NEW STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.

WHO HAD SUCCESS WHEN SHE WORKED IN MISSISSIPPI IMPROVING LITERACY LEVEL THERE IS.

HOPES TO BRING SOME OF THOSE IDEAS TO MARYLAND.

FROM THE UNION PERSPECTIVE, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> WELL, FIRST WE GOT TO SAY THAT THE MISSISSIPPI MIRACLE ISN'T JUST A MIRACLE IT IS AN ENGINEERED THING IT HAPPENS BECAUSE WE WORK TOGETHER ON TRAINING PEOPLE TO DELIVER THAT SCIENTIFIC READING INSTRUCTION THAT I'M SURE SHE TALKED ABOUT.

WE GIVE IT TIME TO IMPLEMENT SO THAT WE TEST IT AND SEE IF OUR TRAINING IS WORKING.

THAT'S CRITICAL AND I THINK ONE KEY THING THAT WE REALLY WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT THIS, IS IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RETAINING A STUDENT IN THIRD GRADE THAT IS A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL APPROACH AND IT PUNISHES KIDS DIRECTLY FOR BEING POOR WHILE IT DENIES THEM OPPORTUNITIES IF, SAY, THEY ARE GOOD IN MATH BUT THEIR READING IS A LITTLE BIT BEHIND.

SO THERE'S DEFINITELY WORK TO DO ON THAT POLICY.

WE STAND READY TO HELP.

>> Jeff: OUR THANKS TO THE NEW PRESIDENT OF MSEA.

>> Jeff: NOW WITH MPT'S HBCU WEEK APPROACHING WE ARE JOINED BY Dr. Dr.

BREW, I KNOW WE'RE COMING UP ON YOUR FAVORITE TIME OF THE YEAR, RIGHT?

>> OH, YES IT IS, JEFF IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU AGAIN AND THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON.

I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE OPENING OF ANOTHER ACADEMIC YEAR.

WE ARE GETTING UNDERWAY PREPARING FOR MOVE IN DAY WHICH STARTS ON AUGUST 19TH AND CONTINUES ON FOR THAT ENTIRE WEEK.

LEADING UP TO THE FIRST DAY OF CLASSES ON AUGUST 26.

IF ANY OF YOUR VIEWERS ARE PREPARING TO COME TO BSU MAKE SURE YOU ARRIVE ON TIME AND LOOKING FORWARD TO WELCOMING OUR NEW STUDENTS AND RETURNING STUDENTS BACK TO THE CAMPUS.

>> Jeff: WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE FOR NEW STUDENTS?

I CAN FAINTLY REMEMBER THAT TIME IN MY LIFE, AND THERE IS A LOT GOING ON.

>> THERE'S A LOT GOING ON.

I SAY EMBRACE CHANGE BECAUSE THEY ARE LIVING THIS GENERATION IS LIVING IN A REMARKABLE TIME.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE CHANGE OF TECHNOLOGY, THERE'S SO MUCH CHANGING IN OUR NATION AROUND THE WORLD.

WE ARE IN THIS GLOBAL ECONOMY AND THERE'S A GREAT AMOUNT OF OPPORTUNITY OUT HERE.

WHEN I LOOK AT THE TYPES OF POSITIONS THAT ARE BEING CREATED FOR SOON TO BE GRADUATES I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE FOR THIS GENERATION OF LEARNERS COMING TO THE CAMPUS.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, NEED I SAY MORE?

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IS RESHAPING EVERY INDUSTRY AND BUSINESS AND THAT ALSO CREATES NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE STUDENTS.

AND BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY HAS FOCUSED ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP AS ONE OF THE HALLMARKS OF OUR EDUCATIONAL MODEL.

SO WE HAVE AN ENTREPRENEURSHIP LIVE AND LEARNING COMMUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO COME IN AND EMBRACE CHANGE AND THINK ABOUT HOW THEY CAN CREATE AN ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET BEFORE THEY GRADUATE.

BUT IF THEY WANT TO CREATE A NEW PRODUCT, A NEW BUSINESS WE HAVE THE SUPPORTS TO HELP THEM WITH THAT.

I SAY EMBRACE CHANGE AND THE TRANSFORMATION THAT IS HAPPENING IN THERE EVERYDAY LIVES.

>> Jeff: ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES DID A STORY ON YOUR CAMPUS A YEAR AGO ON SOME OF THE PHENOMENAL INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES THAT YOUR STUDENTS HAVE IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND ROBOTICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE.

AND THOSE OPPORTUNITIES DON'T JUST HAPPEN.

YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES ARE GOING OUT TO MAKE THEM HAPPEN.

WHY IS THAT AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF THE WHOLE EDUCATIONAL PACKAGE?

>> WELL, I BELIEVE, IT STARTS WITH HELPING EMPLOYERS UNDERSTAND THE EXCELLENCE THAT WE HAVE HERE ON THE CAMPUS.

WE HAVE A STRENGTH IN THE STEM AREAS NUMBER ONE IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH.

AND THESE ARE THE AREAS THAT ARE GROWING.

THERE'S SUCH A HUGE NEED FOR STUDENTS TO MAJOR IN THESE AREAS AND THEN GRADUATE AND GO INTO THESE EXCITING FIELDS INCLUDING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, COMPUTER SECURITY, COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, COMPUTER SCIENCE, MIS, DATA ANALYTICS THESE ARE STRENGTH AREAS FOR BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY.

THE STUDENTS NEED TO KNOW WE DON'T JUST WAIT FOR THE EMPLOYERS BUT WE GO OUT AND ADVOCATE AND WE MARKET AND BRAND SO THAT THE EMPLOYERS THINK ABOUT BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY.

WE SIT RIGHT OUTSIDE OF WASHINGTON D.C. JUST A LITTLE OVER 20 MILES OUTSIDE OF WASHINGTON D.C.

SO WE ARE ALONG THE DEFENSE CORRIDOR.

OUR STUDENTS GO TO WORK FOR GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS, AMAZON, AMAZON WEB SERVICES, IBM WE ARE AN ADOBE CAMPUS.

SO THE EMPLOYERS KNOW BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY BUT THAT IS BECAUSE OUR FACULTY MEMBERS DON'T JUST SIT BACK AND WAIT FOR THE CAREER FAIR TO COME UP.

THEY HAVE GONE OUT AND SAID TO THESE EMPLOYERS, YOU NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND THEY ARE DOING JUST THAT.

I HAVE TO GIVE KUDOS TO OUR DEPARTMENT CHAIR IN COMPUTER SCIENCE THAT WAS FEATURED ON NATIONAL NEWS ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES SHE CREATED FOR HER STUDENTS AND THAT CAME WITH HER REACHING OUT SAYING YOU NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE STUDENTS AT BSU AND THEY DID JUST THAT.

OUR STUDENTS ARE GOING ON TO WORK ACROSS THE NATION AROUND THE WORLD.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHERE YOU MIGHT FIND A GRADUATE WORKING IN AN INTERNSHIP OR WHEN THEY GRADUATE.

BECAUSE THEY ARE WORKING THESE FIELDS THAT ARE GROWING AND VERY MUCH ALIGNED WITH THE WORKFORCE PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE HERE.

>> Jeff: AND ALL OF THIS NEW WORLD ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, CYBERSPACE STUFF, STILL REQUIRES ACTUAL ACADEMIC BUILDINGS AND YOU ARE IN THE PROCESS OF OPENING AND BUILDING NEW ONES?

>> YES, WE ARE, VERY EXCITED ABOUT WHAT IS TO COME VERY SOON.

AUGUST 27TH WE WILL BE CUTTING THE RIBBON ON A NEW COMMUNICATION ARTS AND HUMANITIES BUILDING THE MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. CENTER.

IT WILL BE HOME TO STATE-OF-THE-ART BROADCASTING FACILITIES FOR VIDEO AND AUDIO RECORDING.

IT WILL HAVE A 1500 SEAT AUDITORIUM AND IT WILL HAVE SMART CLASSROOMS, MEETING SPACES THAT ARE SUPPORTIVE OF OUR LEARNERS TODAY.

SO WE ARE VERY, VERY EXCITED.

IT'S 192,000 SQUARE-FOOT BUILDING AND WE ARE EXCITED THAT WE WILL BE OPENING THAT.

AND THEN OUR ENROLLMENT CONTINUES TO CLIMB.

WE HAVE HIGH DEMAND FROM ACROSS THE NATION AND AROUND THE WORLD.

WE'RE RECRUITING STUDENTS FROM 30 STATES, 37 FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

AND THAT REQUIRES THAT WE CONTINUE TO BUILD NEW RESIDENCE HALLS FOR THE STUDENTS TO LIVE HERE BOTH OUR LOCAL STUDENTS AS WELL OUR STUDENTS FROM ACROSS THE NATION THEY WANT TO LIVE ON THE CAMPUS.

WE WILL BE BREAKING GROUND LATER THIS FALL FOR OUR NEW RESIDENCE HALL AND WE'RE EXCITED THAT WE ARE IN DISCUSSIONS WITH A RESTAURANT OWNER TO HAVE A RESTAURANT RIGHT ALONG 197 THAT ROUTE THAT GOES PAST THE CAMPUS.

SO STAY TUNED WE WILL BE MAKING MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS ABOUT OUR NEW PARTNERSHIP.

I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE HIGH DEMAND THAT WE'RE SEEING FOR ENROLLMENT.

AND THEN THE ABILITY FOR US TO BUILD NEW BUILDINGS AND I HAVE TO THANK OUR STATE LEGISLATORS FOR THEIR GREAT SUPPORT FROM THE GOVERNOR, FROM OUR SENATORS OUR DELEGATES THEY HAVE BEEN JUST OUTSTANDING RECOGNIZING THE EXCELLENCE WE HAVE HERE AND PROVIDING THE FUNDING FOR THE STATE FACILITIES TO COME ON-LINE.

>> Jeff: BEFORE WE GO, WE TALKED ABOUT YOUR MESSAGE FOR INCOMING STUDENTS.

HOW ABOUT YOUR MESSAGE FOR THEIR PARENTS THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS, AS THEY DROP THEIR CHILD OFF AT ONE OF YOUR GROWING NUMBER OF RESIDENCE HALLS?

>> FIRST, I WANT TO SAY DON'T JUST DROP THEM OFF.

PARENTS AND FAMILIES STILL HAVE A ROLE AND A RESPONSIBILITY.

AND I LIKEN IT TO TEACHING A CHILD HOW TO RIDE A BICYCLE.

THAT THEY STILL HAVE A ROLE.

YOU DON'T JUST PUT YOUR CHILD ON A BICYCLE AND SAY LET THEM GO.

YOU HOLD ON FOR A LITTLE WHILE UNTIL THEY GET THAT BALANCE AND YOU LET GO AND LET THEM GO FURTHER OUT AND TEST THEIR SKILLS A LITTLE BIT MORE.

AND THEN YOU LET GO.

SO FAMILY MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS OF STUDENTS COMING TO BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY, I ASK THAT YOU BE PART OF THE LEARNING PROCESS.

BUT THE ROLES ARE GOING TO CHANGE.

AND SO WE EXPECT THAT STUDENTS ONCE THEY MOVE IN, PARENTS AND FAMILIES AND SUPPORTERS AND GUARDIANS PLEASE LET THEM ENJOY THE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE.

KNOW THAT WHAT YOU'VE BEEN SAYING TO THEM IT DOES SINK IN AND I'M SAYING THAT AS A PRESIDENT AS WELL AS A PARENT HAVING SENT THREE CHILDREN OFF TO SCHOOL.

THEY DO LISTEN.

AND WE'RE HERE TO SUPPORT THEM.

OUR FACULTY, STAFF, AND STUDENT LEADERS ARE JUST AMAZING.

BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY AS THE OLDEST HBCU IS KNOWN FOR NURTURING OUR STUDENTS WE WRAP OUR ARMS AROUND THEM.

WE LIFT THEM UP EVERYDAY AND WE SUPPORT THEM IN THEIR LEARNS.

I'M EXCITED THAT WE HAVE SUCH A HIGH DEMAND FOR STUDENTS COMING IN.

OUR ENROLLMENT TREND CONTINUES TO CLIMB AND WE'RE READY TO WELCOME OUR STUDENTS TO THE CAMPUS ONCE AGAIN.

>> Jeff: THE PRESIDENT OF BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

CONGRATULATIONS ON ALL THE SUCCESS WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU, JEFF.

GREAT TO SEE YOU.

>> Jeff: MORE INFORMATION ON HBCU WEEK CAN BE FOUND AT MPT.ORG/HBCU.

FINDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING CAN BE DIFFICULT FOR THOSE AT THE MARGINS.

CHARLES ROBINSON REPORTS ON A NEW EFFORT TO HELP.

>> MEET PUMPKIN, SPEEDY AND DAISY THEY ARE EARN 16'S PETS AND COMPANIONS.

SHE HAS LIVED AT THE MAYFLOWER APARTMENTS ON BALTIMORE'S EASTSIDE FOR 13 YEARS.

SHE WELCOMED A CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP THAT UPGRADED HER LIVING ARRANGEMENTS ABOUT A BOUT OF VIRTUAL GO.

>> I LIKE THE WAY THEY TAKE CARE OF THE PROPERTY.

I LIKE SOME OF THE NEIGHBORS ARE QUIET.

SO IT IS A GOOD.

>> WHEN COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS REACHED OUT TO THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND SHARED THEY WERE THEY HAD ACQUIRED THE PROPERTY AND THEY WERE SEEKING DEBT TO SUPPORT THE RENOVATIONS AND PERMANENT FINANCING OF THE PROPERTY, WE FELT LIKE THIS WAS A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO SUPPORT SOMETHING TANGIBLE THAT IS GOING TO HELP PEOPLE THAT ARE IN CRITICAL NEED OF HOUSING.

WHAT WE IDENTIFIED IS HERE IS A GOOD QUALITY BUILDING IN A GREAT LOCATION WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE THE UNITS PUT THEM INTO NONPROFIT OWNERSHIP AND MAKE THEM AVAILABLE VERY, VERY QUICKLY TO THE INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE MOST IN NEED.

>> MAYFLOWER APARTMENTS ARE A LITTLE UNIQUE IN THAT IT CATERS TO THOSE IN-BETWEEN HOUSING AS WELL AS VETERANS.

>> LIKE WHEN YOU MIXING UP A BOWL IT IS A LOT OF SOME ARE YOUNG, SOME ARE OLD, SOME ARE LIKE TO BE BOTHERED SOME DON'T LIKE TO BE BOTHERED.

>> THE BALTIMORE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION WAS ABLE TO SECURE $1 MILLION IN FINANCING.

IDEA IS SIMPLE: PROVIDE HOUSING RESOURCES TO PEOPLE WHO ARE TRANSITIONING FROM HOMELESSNESS, INCLUDING VETERANS.

THE IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE RENOVATIONS TO UPDATE APPLIANCES IN THE 64-UNIT AND COMMUNITY SPACE.

A FAR CRY FROM THOSE WHO LIVED AT THE MARGINS.

IN BALTIMORE, I'M CHARLES ROBINSON FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: THE MONTH OF AUGUST IS A BUSY TIME FOR THE NATION'S AIR-CONDITIONERS.

COULD THEIR DAYS BE NUMBERED?

A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGY IS BEING DEVELOPED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND COLLEGE PARK.

WE SPOKE WITH THE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ENERGY ENGINEERING.

>> THIS IS AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT CONCEPT OF PROVIDING COOLING OR HEAT PUMPING.

INSTEAD OF HAVING FLUID EVAPORATE AND CONDENSE THIS METAL WHEN COMPRESSED GETS WARM.

MAYBE 40° WARMER THAN THE ENVIRONMENT.

AND WHEN YOU LET IT COOL DOWN AND THEN LET IT EXPAND GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL DIMENSION IT GETS COLD, MAYBE 30, 40° BELOW THE TEMPERATURE ENVIRONMENT.

IS THAT SOMETHING WE CAN USE FOR HEATING AND COOLING?

IT WOULD BE ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE.

IT WOULD NOT LEAK.

BUT THE CHALLENGE IS TO MAKE IT WORK.

THIS CONCEPT IS QUITE NEW.

IT WAS SPEARHEADED OR IS BEING SPEARHEADED BY COLLEAGUES AND MATERIALS ENGINEERING HERE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND.

AND WE ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THIS PROJECT BY IMPLEMENTING IT SUCH THAT IT HEATS AND COOLS AIR.

WE CAN USE IT IN THE WAY WE ARE USED TO USING THE HEAT PUMP.

>> Jeff: HAVE YOU REACHED THAT STAGE EVEN ON A SMALL SCALE BEING ABLE TO GENERATE AND CAPTURE SOME HEAT OR SOME COOLING?

>> IN TERMS OF HEAT USE IT MAYBE SUFFICIENT FOR A SMALL REFRIGERATOR.

OR MAYBE EVEN A NOT SO SMALL REFRIGERATOR.

BUT MAKING IT AS COMPACT AS THE CONVENTIONAL REFRIGERATION SYSTEM TODAY IS SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGE.

AND THINGS ARE DONE IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

AND IT REQUIRES TO BE ON A SCALE THAT WE DON'T USUALLY DO.

THAT IS EXCITING.

AND CHALLENGING.

>> Jeff: WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT COMPRESSING A METAL, MY IMPRESSION WAS IT WAS A MATTER OF BENDING SOMETHING AS OPPOSED TO APPLYING A FORCE DIRECTLY TO IT.

>> WHEN YOU BEND METAL YOU HAVE A BAR AND CAN BEND IT ONE SIDE IS BEING COMPRESSED AND THE OTHER IS EXPANDING.

ONLY WHERE THE BENDING OCCURS THE REST OF THE METAL DOESN'T DO ANYTHING.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WHEN WE HAVE A POUND OF METAL THAT ALL OF THE METAL GETS COMPRESSED AT THE SAME TIME.

BUT ALSO IT IS IN A SHAPE THAT WE CAN LET WATER FLOW THROUGH IT AROUND IT AND EXTRACT THAT HEAT OR COLD.

AND DO SOMETHING USEFUL WITH IT.

SO WHAT WE LIKE TO USE IS TUBES.

IT'S NICKEL TITANIUM TUBES AND WHEN COMPRESS THEM WE FORCE THEM TO GET A FEW PERCENT SHORTER AND THEY GET WARM AND THE HEAT AND WE LET THEM EXPAND AND GO TO THE ORIGINAL DIMENSION AND WE GET COOLER.

>> Jeff: IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE USING READILY AVAILABLE METALS.

I WAS WONDERING IF IT WAS GOING TO BE LIKE THE RARE EARTH ELEMENTS THAT ARE HARD TO FIND AND VERY VALUABLE.

>> YES, I HAVE I AM IMPLEMENTED THAT AND WE USE NICKEL TITANIUM AND IT IS READILY AVAILABLE BUT IT IS NOT NECESSARILY LOW COST.

AND IT IS NOT AS READILY AVAILABLE IN THE SHAPES LIKE STEEL OR COPPER OR ALUMINUM THE MORE COMET TALLS AND THAT IS ONE OF THE RESEARCH TASK FORCES THE COLLEAGUES IN MATERIALS ENGINEERING ARE LOOKING INTO WAYS OF USING MAYBE COPPER, ALUMINUM ALLOYS TO DO THE SAME THING IN A MORE CONVENIENT WAY.

>> Jeff: HOW OPTIMISTIC WOULD YOU SAY YOU ARE THAT THIS HAS COMMERCIALIZATION POTENTIAL AND COULD BE AT SOME POINT IN THE DECADES AHEAD IN WIDESPREAD USE?

>> SO THE WAY WE THINK THIS DEVELOPS IS THERE WILL BE SPECIAL USE CASES WHERE OTHER THINGS MAYBE DON'T WORK.

AND WHEN MORE EXPERIENCE IS GAINED FROM THAT IT WILL SPREAD OUT TO OTHER APPLICATIONS.

THE INITIAL APPLICATIONS WHERE I COULD SEE THAT HAPPENING IS IN SMALL SYSTEMS.

SMALL REFRIGERATORS, WINE COOLERS THINGS OF THIS NATURE.

AND THEN IT WILL EXPAND FROM THERE.

THE CHALLENGES ARE THE COST OF THE METAL AND MAKING IT WORK EFFICIENTLY IN THE SENSE THAT WE GET MANY, MANY CYCLES PER MINUTE OUT OF THIS THAT THE METAL DOESN'T BREAK.

AND THAT WE FIND ELEGANT WAYS OF GETTING THE HEAT IN AND OUT.

>> Jeff: I SAW A PHOTOGRAPH OF STUDENTS IN A LAB WORKING ON, I GUESS, A MOCK-UP OF THE DEVICE AND THAT HAS TO BE REALLY EXCITING FOR THE STUDENTS TO POTENTIALLY BE ABLE TO IMPACT SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE GLOBAL IMPLICATIONS?

>> YEAH.

THEY COULD COME UP WITH THE TECHNOLOGIES THAT MAY BEAR THEIR NAME.

IT HAPPENED IN THE PAST.

THIS IS EXCITING, YES.

AND DAY-TO-DAY LIFE THAT MAY BE OVERLOOKED BECAUSE YOU SEE ALL THE LITTLE THINGS THAT DON'T WORK AS THEY SHOULD.

AND BUT THAT IS RESEARCH.

THAT IS DAY-TO-DAY BREAD AND A CHALLENGE TO ENJOY.

>> Jeff: THAT IS "STATE CIRCLE" FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE MONDAY EVENING AT 7:00 P.M. FOR "DIRECT CONNECTION".