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Arduino/Microcontrollers Users Group

3/27/2016

I am part of the Arduino/Microcontrollers Users Group in NE Indiana, and I have learned more about the subject from the members than at any seminar I have attended!

We meet once per month and each time we have presentations - always on different and fascinating subjects, from the Beaglebone Black to GBD to creating libraries in C. Each presentation is given by an expert in the subject, most of whom work for engineering firms such as USSI and Logikos, so they are quite knowledgeable about the products and the fields.

We also have demonstrations of our most recent projects, provide advice or assistance to each other, and discuss the latest technology. I have been able to demonstrate my projects to the group, like the thermostat I designed that activates a fan when a specified temperature is reached.

I am so glad I found the Arduino/Microcontrollers Users Group! I have yet to meet a more helpful or knowledgeable group of engineers!

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Science Ambassador

3/20/2016

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Recently I was selected to be the Purdue Science Ambassador for Huntington County! The Science Ambassadors represent the Purdue College of Science (Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, Chemistry, Biology, Atmospheric Science, Earth Science and Planetary Science), and it is run in part through the Extension/4-H office. To be selected, the ambassadors must be "self-starters, have leadership capabilities, be creative and have a science background and interest".

As an Ambassador, my job is to encourage younger children, particularly those in 5th-7th grade, to explore the STEM fields. We do this through fun teaching activities and by giving demonstrations to students in our county.

During my first class, we had a fun CSI theme. The theme worked well with this particular group - all 6th and 7th graders with investigative spirits! The kids had to find the villain in the room, so they matched dental prints (taken from a marshmallow peanut), analyzed handwriting samples, and studied ear prints and fingerprints. Along the way, we talked about the science behind each activity, and the classes and career paths they could take, not just in CSI, but in related STEM careers.

The experience has been rewarding, and I expect it will become even more gratifying as we explore each new topic. The next class will be Weird Science, and we'll talk about the science behind weird chemical reactions and non-Newtonian fluids among other things. Fun!

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MIG Welding

3/13/2016

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I've been missing out! I recently learned how to weld, and it is so much fun! I wish I had started years ago! Welding, like the MIG welding I learned how to do, requires patience and a tolerance for getting burned, but it's worth it! You can create almost anything, from an R2's feet (which is what I created) to a ship's hull.

At first, I got to practice on scrap pieces of metal so that I would get used to the brightness that seems to equal that of the sun, and the heat required to melt metal, which was 600 degrees! Of course, I also had to learn the techniques, such as how far away from the metal you should hold the wire, how long to hold it in one place, how quickly you can move it, etc.

Once I had finished practicing, I got to move on to making the shells for the R2's foot drives. It took me over an hour to make the first shell, because I was concerned I would destroy the metal and burn a hole in it. However, I did not burn a hole in it (although a spark did burn a hole in my jeans and in my leg!) or even make poor joints. Because of my increased confidence, I finished the next one in less than half an hour.

I now love welding almost as much as soldering, and I hope to be able to do it more often. Welding is awesome!

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Purdue's Women in Engineering Day

3/7/2016

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Recently I attended Purdue's Women in Engineering Day, and I had a wonderful time! At the event, I got to work on projects in Aerospace, Mechanical, and my intended major: Electrical Engineering.

In Aerospace, I designed an airplane. We were told to choose a goal: either a long flight or an accurate flight. I chose accuracy. After all, if I am in an airplane, it is very important to me that the plane lands squarely on the runway! I was proud of my plane. It performed admirably and was quite aerodynamic.

In the Mechanical Engineering workshop, we tested the amount of force required to pull an object out of sand or corn. This required teamwork and I was the team leader. I assigned one person to write and graph the results, two to fill the containers, and one to hold the object in place and then pull it out. We were the first to complete the project, and we were commended for our results, our attention to detail, and our graph!

In Electrical Engineering, I created a solar cell using raspberries (the fruit, not the Pi) to put out a small amount of power. I used two pieces of glass with special coatings and soaked them in raspberry juice. Once they had fully absorbed the juice, I put them together and measured the voltage and the number of amps. Raspberries - they're not just for smoothies anymore!

In addition to the incredible workshops, I made friends, heard from female engineers in the field, and met with several members of the faculty and staff! All in all, a wonderful day at Purdue!

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Arduino/Microcontrollers Users Group

Science Ambassador

MIG Welding

Purdue's Women in Engineering Day

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