Latest Posts by ourtech - Page 6
July 14th NASA's New Horizons will fly by Pluto (the dwarf planet *sigh*) follow this link for front row seats.
Hey there, oh wait... there’s no one inside.
Us interns in front of NASA’s Saturn V rocket. Yes that astro-nerd on the far left is Caleb who is a fellow intern and Tumblr star: http://astronomicalwonders.tumblr.com/ who blogs about stars.
Intern Week 1: Code in a Storm
Comment your code and batten down the hatches. One week into my NASA intern experience and I have become well aquainted with the LabVIEW programming language and Houston's tropical storms.
LabVIEW is a visual programming language where instead of writing lines of code to make a "while loop" you literally draw a loop around the function you want to repeat. Many FIRST Robotics teams and rapid prototyping engineers use LabVIEW. With this programming language I will translate packets of data from Orion Deep Space Habitat's devices to meaningful data and then display that data on a user interface. I'm still pinching myself because not only do I get to work alongside talented scientists but I am helping advance a project I worked on while interning at NASA Glenn Research Center in 2013. Some of the devices that I am translating data for, such as a solar power regulator, are devices I made a circuit board for at Glenn.
I captured pictures of The HIVE (Human Integrated Vehicles & Environments) lab we work in primarily because we were advised to cover the tech gear in plastic bags in preparation for a pending tropical storm. Coming from the icy tundra of Minnesota I am far from used to tropical storm and flood prep. Cutting long strips of plastic sheets with large industrial scissors I felt like one of Cinderella's woodland helpers. Now the Orion mock up is ready to meet Prince Charming at the ball.
Looking forward to creating schematics of the packet translator in Visio and making the translation process more autonomous this week!
Programming in LabVIEW. The language where Electrical Engineering and Computer Science meet.
Space Habitat Simulator in The HIVE lab.
Chamber that conditioned astronauts to zero gravity and motion sickness. Let’s just say a lot of people threw up in there. The return of the time not sick during a mission was only a 30% improvement and this was decommissioned.
Gaze upon this multistage monster that humans built #techisbeautiful #NASAIntern #jsc
Saturn V - the rocket built to fly is now a grounded beast. #techisbeautiful #NASAIntern #jsc
Intern Day Two: The HIVE
When we looked around the room there were Orion Mockups, huge displays, and technological toys we couldn’t wait to get our hands on.
After I met my mentor for the first time two fellow interns and I were briefed about our goals for the summer. This summer I’m working with NASA’s group called the HIVE (Human Integrated Vehicles & Environments). HIVE’s goal is to get new technologies in front of astronauts, operators, and users as soon as possible during development to make the technological interface human friendly. Some of the projects HIVE is working on includes user interfaces for onboard Orion, wearables to alert astronauts about important information, and test beds to simulate mock missions.
Within HIVE my main goal is to translate packets of information sent by devices on Orion’s Deep Space Habitat (DSH) and display this data in a meaningful way. For example, one of the devices on the DSH is a device which insures the habitat maintains a constant amount of power no matter how much light the solar arrays are receiving. This device is actually the same device I helped work on at my summer internship at NASA’s Glenn Research Center. Using LabVIEW programming software I translate these packets into meaningful data and display that data as a graphical user interface.
The HIVE lab were we work is a large glass room overlooking a warehouse room with Orion’s parachutes and a NASA meatball shaped simulator that used to be for acclimating astronauts to motion/ zero G sickness. HIVE has a mockup of the Orion crew helm that we have the opportunity to update as well.
Pictures of the lab coming soon!
Holding the NASA Meatball (their circular logo). The red print NASA logo is called the worm.
Intern Day One: NASA Is Not Dead
At orientation we were asked to raise our hands if we thought NASA was dead after the Space Shuttle program ended. I admit, I was among the many that raised their hands. Many flashed back to when the last shuttle Atlantis launched summer of 2011. I thought back to my summer internship at NASA Glenn Research Center where I saw a rocket booster, the remains of the Constellation program, draped in tarps and covered with dust in a dark warehouse. Quickly myself and the room of interns came to learn that these preconceived notions about NASA are far from the truth.
During our first day as interns we had the opportunity to hear from Dr. Dava Newman about her new position as NASA Deputy Administrator and Johnson Space Center Director Ellen Ochoa brief Newman about the center's accomplishments. Hearing from Newman and Ochoa re-energized our passion for space exploration and reminded us how much NASA has progressed. Curiosity rover descended on Mar's surface August of 2012 not only becoming the fourth rover to land on this robot inhabited planet, but collecting data so we know how to prepare to for a human mission to Mars. Orion is the future Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle designed for the purpose of deep space exploration to Mars and beyond. This past December it had its first test flight launching to into orbit 3,600 miles above the Earth, far above the International Space Station. By being flown that high Orion collected data about radiation waves astronauts will have to pass through while traveling away and back to Earth. Orion also tested a careful decent with four stages of parachutes proving this massive heat shielding vehicle could decelerate at a comfortable pace for astronauts. Although I get impatient about waiting to send humans to Mars so many variables are being tested with Curiosity and Orion to ensure a successful mission.
My first day was filled with meeting fellow peers, getting antiquated with Johnson Space Center and learning that NASA is very much alive.
This cafeteria ad.... the reason why I got to intern X) #NASAIntern #jsc
Early lunar lander prototype at Johnson Space Center #JSC #NASAIntern
Circuit board I made at a NASA internship at Glenn Research Center summer of 2013 for a Solar Array Regulator.
Working on a Main Bus Switching Unit test bed for a solar array regulator.
#NASAIntern #jsc #glenn #NASA
Looking Forward to NASA
Recently I received, and accepted, the gracious opportunity to intern at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas this summer. Using my skills in HTML and Java programming I will be assisting in the Flight Deck of the Future Project. With a team of engineers and fellow intern we will create a user interface for astronauts on board a habitat. I will be blogging about my internship throughout the summer! I had a fantastic experience interning at NASA's Glenn Research Center the summer following my high school graduation. At Johnson Space I hope to meet other peers who share the same passion in aerospace, learn about NASA's latest and greatest endeavors, and maybe even shake hands with a few astronauts.
While captaining my high school's FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition for Science and Technology) robotics team I got hooked on engineering and aerospace research. During a robotics Kick Off event NASA’s Jon Grunsfeld, remarked that FIRST robotics is similar to "how we design, built, and tested the NASA Mars Curiosity rover”. This encouraged me to apply to a NASA internship even as a high school student. I interned at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio and built a circuit board for a solar array regulator on board a deep space habitat. My circuit board will ensure the habitat is powered by solar panels or batteries at all times. Some of the things I enjoyed at Glenn that I hope to experience again at Johnson Space is the ample hands on meaningful work I did and presentations interns got to attend highlighting NASA's new innovations.
How you can get involved...
High School to College: There are internship opportunities in the fall, spring, and summer in a wide variety of disciplines. There are some interns this summer studying medicine, graphic arts, and journalism. There is something for everyone! Contact me if you need help with the application. Apply on OSSI (one stop shopping initiative) here: https://intern.nasa.gov/ossi/web/public/main/
Elementary to Middle School: There are a ton of programs for students, even a chance to train as a junior astronaut at space centers. Here are a list of programs: http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/programs/descriptions/Students-rd.html
Everyone: Honestly I get most of my NASA updates from twitter and you can follow here: https://twitter.com/NASA They post lots of beautiful pictures too.
People Who Want to be Astronauts (I want to be one too): NASA gets the "how do I become an astronaut?" question a lot and they complied a helpful guide to how you can become one! http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/outreach/jobsinfo/astronaut101.html
Interstellar. Dir. Christopher Nolan. Perf. Matthew McConaughey Anne Hathaway Jessica Chastain Michael Caine. Paramount Pictures, 2014. Film.
Go Green: Conserve Water, Land & Air Resources
Christopher Nolan’s 2014 motion picture “Interstellar” depicts future earth careening towards an environmentally apocalyptic demise. Humans did not care for Earth well enough which has led to dustbowl-esk storms, lack of resources, and the need to establish humanity elsewhere. Although this outlook is extreme this science fiction prediction can become reality. NASA’s Global Climate change webpage complied findings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and US Global Change research Program. In this report NASA expands on the environmental out look of the Midwest describing Extreme heat, flooding and risks to the Great Lakes. On that same site NASA reports the highest levels of carbon dioxide, 1.4 degree avg. raise in temperature, and 1.5 million sq. km less trees.
No matter who or what there is to blame it is time that we respond to this call to action and find ways we can be more environmentally friendly every day. No one wants to hear they need to retire their favorite mudding truck or stop eating bacon. Below is how you should respond to this call to action to go green. We will be focusing on going green to preserve water, earth, and air resources.
WATER
California is settling in its fourth year of little rainfall and record breaking temperatures as reported by US News and World Report Article “Climate Change Caused California Drought” by Jeff Nesbit written on April 14th, 2015 . The drought has already hit the average American’s pocketbook with a price hike in berries, salad, and beef. Concerns of our daily expenses aside the science behind this drought is unquestionable and due to climate change. Despite Earth being covered in 70% water, fresh available drinking water is becoming more and more of a valuable resource and should be preserved.
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) released a WaterSense Guide on how to save water last updated April 3rd, 2015 with tips on easy things you can do to save water.
Indoors you can turn the tap off while shaving or brushing your teeth, spend less time in the shower, add food waste to a compost pile instead of the garbage disposal, and fix leaks. Outside create a water smart landscape that utilizes slopes and plant vegetation that requires little water. In addition to EPA’s tips I have taken special interest into how ingredients in hygienic products effect wildlife in lakes and rivers. A report from Minneapolis St.Paul’s NBC news station KARE 11 reported “Study finds antibiotics in Minnesota groundwater” by Associated Press June 28th, 2014. A government study finds that measurable levels of antibiotics, detergents and other consumer chemicals are turning up in Minnesota Ground Water. These come from landfills, septic systems. And sewage treatment plants. I have not gone as far as scraping hand washing and showering all together but have been buying hygienic products with ingredients that do not effect water resources. Below are hygienic products from lush. I have gotten shampoo bars that last much longer than liquid shampoo which contain all natural ingredients except Sodium lauryl sulfate, antibacterial free soaps, and No Rinse Shampoos. No rinse shampoos sound like they would not clean as well but it is one of the ways long haired astronauts on the International Space Station clean their hair.
EARTH
When I think about preserving land resources I imagine reducing garbage in landfills, reducing the use of plastics, and disposing of things that must be thrown away correctly.
Once again the EPA, our MVP for environmental tips, reports Tips for Reducing Solid Waste last updated November 15th, 2012.
Reduce the amount of products you buy with unnecessary packaging Buy recyclable products. Sell and donate items. Buy, maintain, and repair durable products. There are times however when you absolutely have to toss something out like a corroded batteries, medicine, old cans of paint, and meds. This is what our local WLSSD Western Lake Superior Sanitary District is for and other hazarous waste collections sites are for. Be mindful of what you throw out, recycle, and keep for hazardous waste collection this spring. A guide can be found here: http://www.wlssd.com/uploads/HHW_Guide_Apr_2010.pdf
AIR
The topic of conserving air resources may be pickup truck owner’s least favorite topic as again reported by NASA’s global climate change webpage car emissions accounts for the large spike of carbon dioxide in the air following the industrial revolution. This time The American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest posted Clean Air Choice with ideas on how to conserve clean air with unfortunately no update time.
Carpool while if you and your friends are going to the same location such as class. Shut off your engine of you are stopped more than a minute so don’t be texting in your car in the parking confusing people who want to take your spot. Lastly avoid rapid acceleration and hard breaking.
In response to the call to cation to go green I have mentioned some of ways to conserve out air, earth, and water resources as I mentioned here today. These tips included little things you can do every day to make a positive environmental impact with little inconvenience to you.
The idea to relocated humanity has been explored in Interstellar and considered by NASA to set up a habitat on Mars. If you have ever seen pictures of Mars it may have some of the basic requirements for inhabiting but it looks rocky, boring, and bleak. We got this one fully habitably planets, with only a few possible habitable planets many light-years away, so let’s take care of it.
Works Cited
"American Lung Association Clean Air Choice: Conservation Tips." American Lung Association Clean Air Choice: Conservation Tips. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2015. http://www.cleanairchoice.org/air/tips.cfm
Associated Press. "Study Finds Antibiotics in Minnesota Groundwater." KARE 11 Minneapolis St. Paul, MN A Gannett Company NBC. N.p., 28 June 2014. Web. 22 Apr. 2015. http://www.kare11.com/story/news/local/2014/06/28/study-finds-antibiotics-in-minnesota-groundwater/11618827/
"Global Climate Change: Effects." Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet. NASA Global Climate Change Vital Signs of the Planet, n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2015. http://climate.nasa.gov/effects/
Household Hazardous Wastes. Duluth: WLSSD, 2010. Western Lake Superior Sanitary District. Web.
"NASA's OCO-2 Will Track Our Impact on Airborne Carbon." Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet. NASA, 26 June 2014. Web. 22 Apr. 2015. http://climate.nasa.gov/news/1109/
Nesbit, Jeff. "At the Edge: Climate Change Caused California Drought." US News. U.S.News & World Report, 14 Apr. 2015. Web. 22 Apr. 2015. http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/at-the-edge/2015/04/14/climate-change-and-the-california-drought
"Tips for Reducing Solid Waste." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, 15 Nov. 2012. Web. 22 Apr. 2015. http://www.epa.gov/osw/wycd/catbook/the12.htm
"Water Sense Start Saving." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2015. http://www.epa.gov/watersense/our_water/start_saving.html
Olaf Image from film: Frozen. Dir. Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee Lee. Prod. Peter Del Vecho. Perf. Kristen Bell,
Make the Most of Your Summer Vacation
Olaf and I have similar ideas about what makes a good summer. “Relaxing in the summer sun, just lettin’ off steam”. Although doing “what frozen things do in summer” sounds appealing to Olaf, I understand that summer can be a whole lot more than bumming on the beach, blowing dandelion fuzz, and sand volley balling. It can be hard to decide what to do with your precious summer vacation, volunteering, interning, or working at a job. But my discussion with you today will hopefully help you make the most of your summer.
I have had a number of summer volunteering, interning and working experiences. I used to be a volunteer for Duluth Minnesota's Essentia Health hospital stocking IVs and making patient beds in the Surgical In/Out patient unit. I also interned at the University of Minnesota Duluth's Computer Science Department and for Rockwell Automation. As summer class registration is in swing, companies are looking to hire, and you are finalizing where you will be staying this information may be help you out. We will look at three different factors to consider when deciding if it is the best to volunteer, intern, or work. These three factors include if you want to make a substantial amount of money, where locationally-wise you would like to be over the summer, and if you would like your experience to be relevant to your major.
MONEY First let’s talk cash. The green paper, and sometimes electronic figures, that rule your life. As broke college students having a little change on hand to help pay for college expenses, toss into savings, and curb debt is always a plus. Naturally, a factor to consider when deciding how to make the most of your summer is if money is on your mind.
Volunteering - although rewarding does not offer pay so may not be a first choice if money is a major factor.
Internships - they can lead to well-paid summer experience. As reported by CNN Money in an article, “Interns at Google probably make more than you” written by Katie Labosco in 2013, interns at tech companies like Google “are paid $5,800 monthly, while specialized software engineers make as much as $6,700 per month”. This amount is higher than the United States’ median household income. Unfortunately not all internships are paid and the amount depends on the demand of the trade such as technology and healthcare.
Summer job - Money seems to be the biggest perk of a summer job despite the possible burger flipping and shirt folding to get it. Unlike an internship summer jobs are more plentiful and with flexible hours let you work more than one at a time.
Another factor to keep in mind in addition to money is location
LOCATION Location can potentially be like the icing on the cake of an experience. You can decide to conveniently stay in your hometown, pick a location with a more desirable climate, or travel somewhere on your bucket list.
Volunteering - offers an endless pool of locations to choose from- between the nursing home across the street and tribes in Africa. From suburbs to cities someone - somewhere someone will need your help. Volunteering through United Way, Church Missionaries, American Red Cross, and Peace Corps offers a wide variety of locations. There are local volunteering opportunities right here in Duluth, MN too. Feed homeless at Chum, take care of precious stray animals at Animal Allies, or help patients at Essentia Health like I did.
Internships - can be a little scarcer in where they are offered. Companies must have a budget and mentorship resources set aside for interns mostly major companies in large cities offer internships. There are however a few internships in smaller cities such as Digi Key in Thief River Falls, MN and study abroad programs held by global companies such as Rockwell Automation.
Summer jobs - can be easily in your home town or where you are studying, some even within walking distance. Some summer jobs offer housing as a part of their package. At Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio workers are offered a place to stay on site, for cost food, and good pay.
Aside from a nice location choosing a summer activity that is relevant to your field of study will also help you make the most of your summer.
Me Performing Community Outreach with the Daredevils Duluth East Daredevils FIRST Robotics Team 2512. 2012. Duluth
RELEVANCE TO MAJOR A Huffington Post article “Why Gaining Work Experience Is More Important Than Your Education” written by Thad Baker in 2013 claims that, “you need more than a college degree to get hired”. From that same article CNN reported findings from High Flyers, Research Company that specializes in student recruitment research, that “college graduates without work experience have "little chance" of getting a job”.
All Three - Fortunately Volunteering, Interning, and Working are all opportunities that can relate to your field of study. Volunteer at a hospital to get experience on the floor while pursuing a nursing degree, intern at a company you wish to work at someday, take a job that exercises skills that you will need in your career like as a manager or sales personnel.
CONCLUSION Today we have discussed factors to consider while deciding what to do over summer vacation Options we weighed included volunteering, interning, or working based on the money that can be made, location, or relevance to major. Now you have an idea of how to make the most out of your summer vacation. No matter which of these options you pick there will still be time to hold a drink in your and prop your feet against the burning sand like Olaf.
WHAT YOU CAN DO...
Volunteeer Match: a quick way to find who needs your help locally or abroad http://www.volunteermatch.org/
Internships: my best advice for finding an internship would be visiting you university's career center, attending a job fair/ internship fair, or searching on your desired company's website. Your university's career center can be experemely helpful with not only finding an internship but also preparing your resume and cover letter.
I edit resumes, cover letters, and internship applicaitons! Find me on Fiverr: https://www.fiverr.com/s/7rmpki
WORKS CITED
Lobosco, Katie. "Interns at Google Probably Make More than You." CNNMoney. Cable News Network, 12 June 2013. Web. 24 Feb. 2015.
Baker, Thad. "Why Gaining Work Experience Is More Important Than Your Education." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 14 Aug. 2013. Web. 24 Feb. 2015.
This post is from a speech I wrote for my public speaking class. I liked it so much and thought it would be helpful so I put it on here!
Data from: McCarthy, Niall. "Some Tech Internships Pay More Than $75,000 A Year." Statista The Statistics Portal. N.p., 5 Mar. 2014. Web. 24 Feb. 2015.
Teams watch robots compete at a FIRST Robotics Regional in Minnesota