Posts Tagged ‘ science ’

The Atlantis (thousands of highly skilled US engineers) Gets The Pink Slip

Welcome home Atlantis – you are a national hero and treasure. In honor of this occasion, I have been commissioned with the task of informing you that – you have been laid off.
You didn’t see that coming, did you?

STS-135 Atlantis Landing (201107210007HQ)

If you’ve read my blog in the past, you know that I strongly question the wisdom of ending the space shuttle program. Unfortunately, I wasn’t consulted. 🙂

I did find this awesome, incredibly nostalgic video online however. I am really quite sad about this. I nearly cried (teared up slightly – no sobbing). At any rate – I think this is my dormant thirst for space travel coming out. Its afraid it will now go unsatisfied forever (and ever). Click here to see it

I would blog about how mechanical and computer-like the medical professionals I interacted with today were…
Ok, I will – briefly. I told the nurse that I had never had a particular procedure – and she continued to tell me I had. (No, she didn’t have any records to prove that – and I had really and truly never had that procedure). It was like trying to input data in a form where the option you need isn’t there. And then they made me take tests that, based on previous information, couldn’t possibly have been positive.

Big news: TIE Project Update! (imagine me squealing with excitement – while jumping up and down) (no – don’t, I just did and it was a little disturbing)…but at any rate: We’re really getting a summer lab! I can feel it getting closer! I sent in the order for our “Fab Lab Inventory” sourced materials which should start arriving next week. Setup on Monday, lesson plans coming soon. It’s all so exciting how it’s coming together!

Ambitionz
Day 23
77 Dayz to go

2011
07/22
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Japan, Congrats. (Yes, there is more to this message)

Today was a sports day – we played basketball and tennis so we were out pretty much all day. I drank more water today than I’ve probably drank all week – it was that hot (the last statement is a slight exaggeration). It was a good time with family and friends (new and old), and my shooting percentage has vastly improved :).

We will be finishing up curriculum development for the TIE Project tomorrow along with setting up the lab (on location). (I’m excited! 🙂 )
Twitter is/has become my main news source. I am now officially a part of our modern generation.

I read an interesting article about an “artificial leaf” that’s been designed to be many more times more efficient than an organic leaf at energy generation (using solar energy and water). This was designed by an MIT professor (not surprising) and is being marketed for use in developing countries. This apparatus could power a house (in a developing country) for an entire day using only one gallon of water (I do suppose it would also have to be a sunny day). It is mainly made from things like silicon and “doesn’t resemble a real leaf”.
Read more about it here:
WIRED UK and the American Chemical Society.

I find it entertaining that Twitter uses Tumblr to post updates when Twitter isn’t working. Twitter Status

And…

The Obama’s watched the Women’s World Cup at the Whitehouse: I have proof.
P071711PS-0125

Congrats Japan…a little kid said that it was a good thing they won: they “needed it more”, speaking with respect to the latest natural distastes that have struck Japan. That said, I’m not a sore looser – it was a good game. Good job Japan.

Dear Empire of the Red Sun,
You won! Congratulations.
We will win next time.
Sincerely,
An American Woman

Ambitionz
Day 19
71 Dayz to go

2011
07/18
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Of English, (not) Blogging and College Wishlists.

I need to set aside blogging time – time that I can use to write about interesting things (not random, mundane life notes).

I am almost “bursting with excitement” today because one of my friends is having a baby! (I mustn’t say anymore just yet…online baby window shopping lol 🙂 )

Other than that, I’m working on getting out of a English 020 night class. I was accepted late, talked to the admissions office then tried to take the school’s online English placement exam but couldn’t, emailed them, didn’t get a reply, called someone today only to find out that the exam went offline yesterday. I had tried to take it over a week ago. By default, I have to start in an English 020 (remedial) night class, and I’m no longer eligible to test into English 1 Honors (English 125). I explained my situation to the woman at the office. She was friendly and said that she’d ask if I could be considered for English 125. I also (hopefully) will be able to take the placement test before classes start.

I was able to confirm that my name is on the housing wait-list and that I have a physical next week.

I’m looking for scholarships. If you know of any – please pass the information on!

I got the names of my books today I’ve put/am putting together a wishlist of the things I need for school. Click here to view it.

I’ve also been working out a tad little bit. I think I’m getting stronger 🙂

Ambitionz
Day 16
74 Dayz to go

2011
07/14
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T-minus one (last time). A tribute to the NASA Space Shuttle Program

I still remember it as if it were yesterday. It was October 29, 1998. Senator and astronaut John Glenn and the crew of the Space Shuttle Discovery began their expedition. I remember the sound, the fire, the awe. I remember the inspiration. I was only 6 years old – but John Glenn was my hero. I stood in my grandfather’s living room with my mother and siblings, completely transfixed by what I saw on the screen, I knew what I wanted to be. I would be an astronaut.

The Space Shuttle Discovery being towed off the runway after it's final landing

Seeing the space shuttle launch had a lasting impact on me; an impact that continues to this day and far out lasted my notions of becoming an astronaut. It simulated and fertilized within me, as a small child, a true love for science and a desire to participate in this wonderful world of discovery. That experience of watching the shuttle launch helped deepen a child’s curiosity, into everlasting amazement at what science can do- and encouraged a strong desire to be part of the community that made the Discovery’s voyage possible.

Like it did for so many American kids, the space shuttle program, (along with events such as the Apollo mission to the moon and Charles Lindbergh trans-Atlantic flight,) gave me an enduring sense of patriotic pride, coupled with the responsibility of our leadership on a global level.

As a citizen of the world and member of the upcoming generation, the space shuttle program impressed me with a sense of my duty to receive the torch of scientific and technological advancement and to keep it alive as our mothers and fathers did before us. They used it to explore space. What will we do with it?

Now, a bit more than a decade later, I am an engineer (in training) and have found my passion in inspiring people to purse an understanding of our world (science) and the development and application of this understanding (technology).

Today, it is with mixed feelings that I bid farewell to the space shuttle program. I think of the twin tragedies which claimed the lives of 14 brave explorers and I am glad for the opportunity to seek new methods of space travel. I think of 132 successful missions and I wonder how we will replace such and integral part of our nation, science program and culture (not to mention job supplying workforce).

We all wonder what the future will hold for American maned space missions; as the question “what’s next” has yet to be answered. No, cargo missions are not what we’re talking about.

I hadn’t planned to watch the launch today. I was scheduled to pick up machines for the summer Fab Lab we’re installing. My little brother and I walked into the basement of MIT’s Center for Bits and Atoms just as the live feed showed the Atlantis “blasting off”. We watched until it’s solid rocket boosters fell off and blew up into flaming balls of fire as they returned back to earth. They had done their job. NASA says the space shuttles have done theirs as well. Now it’s up to us to do ours.

I wish the Atlantis godspeed on its journey and return home; and yes, I will be visiting the Discovery at the Smithsonian.

TIE Project update

I spent most of today at CBA, installing software on the brand new lab computers that CBA is lending us. We’re scheduled to set up next week. We still have to pick up consumables and other supplies/lab equipment which hopefully will include a couple more computers. Here are some pictures:

Boxes and boxes!
20110709-020429.jpg

(Yep – that’s me!)

20110709-020500.jpg

My brother installing Windows OS

20110709-020516.jpg

Ambitionz
Day 10
80 Dayz to go

2011
07/08
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I see men as clouds, walking

I am of the opinion that many of our most acclaimed fashion designers are actually deeply disturbed persons who resort to fashion as therapy. These individuals find a twisted satisfaction in seeing their creations worn in public by sane and rational humans. However, they reach the height of their troublesome god-ship complex as they manipulate masses of these same rational beings to covet attire which will get them mistaken for clown/clouds, or the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz, or someone without the motor skills necessary to dress himself, or even someone who lived before the age of sewing – a caveman perhaps. (Or, a combination of all four.)(Yes, I could go on.)
Case in point:
Fashion according to Paris


UAVs and military drones represent, to me, an increasingly ominous cloud of destructive technology, which threatens to blur and obscure ethical and humanitarian boundaries. UVAs and military drones are particularly troubling to me. With this technology, we have put into use killing robots, and almost completely remove ourselves from the human aspect and toll of war. “War, even if justified, is a horrible thing.”
I believe that technology should be science, applied for the betterment and sustenance of life. One might argue that, through the use of UVAs, we keep our troops out of harms way and protect our freedom by destroying our enemies. I argue, that, through the use of UVAs, we further disregard the sacredness of life (human life). Not only do we take it upon ourselves to decide who lives and who dies, but the destruction of life is indiscriminately and mercilessly carried out by a non – living creation, devoid of passion or compassion and without the ability to choose to spare life based on circumstances. I believe that these uses of technology (which no doubt will continually be developed at an accelerated rate) threaten many of the more noble, core elements of human interaction.

And then there are the beautiful uses of technology:
IBR Roomba Swarm in the Dark IV
Roomba Robots light painting

Or the ones that help preserve life:

An interesting WIRED Magazine article on Feedback loops used to reinforce positive driving behaviors and care for the elderly.

I spent a significant portion of my day making sense of, and arrangements to fulfill my “New Students” checklist from Wentworth. Besides paying various amounts of money (so that they know I’m serious) I have to make at least one doctor appointment, finalize and submit my homeschool transcript, take an English placement test, take and send them a (good) picture of myself, acquire and read a book (The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao), and a gazillion other things. See, sometimes you think that once you reach a goal, you deserve a break, or at least a little something to help you maintain your sanity, health and well-being (wait, what am I saying – I’m American. And an engineering student. Shucks.). Lesson: Learn to enjoy the rat race. (I’ve had this lesson before – when will I learn?)
Something else to do

To be honest, I’m psyched about starting college. Especially Biomedical Engineering. When I was about 14 I decided on what I wanted to do – and now I’m doing it. Feels good. I’ll post later on some of the awesome stuff Biomedical Engineers do.
Yes; here is the picture I’m sure you all have been waiting for (or at least that I’ve been dying to post 🙂 )
My acceptance packet!

20110702-080247.jpg

In parallel with college preparations, I’ve decided to retake my SATs. I got a perfect score in one section – and I think I could do that in all of them. I’m focusing on math primarily. I’m also doing some sciences and French over the summer (which, hopefully will translate into awesome subject tests scores this fall – and awesome grades once school starts).
Ambition: 2400 SAT super score

I made a contact for a summer job today. We’ll see how that turns out.

Today’s big news: we can pick up machines for installing the temporary Fab Lab next week!!! (Translation: you really, really need to flesh out and complete the lab schedule for the summer, determine, plan and design the classes and project, find some volunteers, train them to run the place – and a few other things I won’t bother to remind you of right now.) For which I’m excited! 🙂 Go TIE Project!

Ambitionz
Day 3
87 Dayz to go

2011
07/01
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