Archive for February, 2009

NASA Summer Research Program at Carnegie Mellon University, June 6-August 1, 2009

{ February 18, 2009 @ 2:03 am } · { Undergraduate Opportunities }
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Program Title: NASA Summer Research Program 
Program Dates: June 6- August 1, 2009 
Program Coordinator: Nancy Klancher 
Email: neetha@andrew.cmu.edu 

This program is designed to introduce undergraduate students majoring in engineering, math and science to research opportunities in space-related sciences, both theoretical and experimental. Applications from women and minorities are especially encouraged. Participants in the program receive research experience and mentoring from CMU research faculty, a stipend of approximately $3,000, and housing in a CMU dormitory. To complete the program, participants must submit a written report on their research project. The program must be completed to receive the total amount of the stipend.  Applicants may choose from two space-related research projects. Please review the project descriptions below to see if one fits with your interests and/or any related coursework you have completed.

Projects:
Wetting of Hydrogels by Surfactant Solutions
Principal Investigator, Professor Stephen Garoff, Department of Physics and the Center for Complex Fluids Engineering

“Snake Robots” 
Principal Investigator, Associate Professor Howie Choset, Robotics Institute, and the Medical Robotics Technology Center, the Center for Robotic and Synthetic Performance, and the Space Robotics Initiative.

Application Process:
The program is intended primarily for undergraduates who are in their junior year at the time of application. However, all undergraduates currently enrolled in a U.S. college or university are eligible.  Applicants must be U.S. Citizens or holders of a Green Card indicating their intention to become a citizen.

The deadline for receipt of all materials relating to your application is March 6, 2009. 

Awards will be announced after March 15, 2009.  Selected applicants will be notified by telephone.

To apply, you must print out the application at 
http://www.cmu.edu/uro/NASA%20Summer%20Rsrch%20Pgm%20APPLICATION%20FORM_2009.pdf 

Fll it out and mail it to:
Office of Graduate Education
Carnegie Mellon University 
Warner Hall, Room 530B
5000 Forbes Avenue 
Pittsburgh, PA 15213


February Hot Topic: Getting People Out When It’s Cold

{ February 15, 2009 @ 10:47 pm } · { Hot Topics }
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by Islin Moy
FY09 Region Collegiate Newsletter Editor, Region i

When I was staring blankly at this month’s hot topic, I realized it was time for help. 

me: What does SWE mean by “Getting People Out When it’s Cold?” 
lmuniste:  A health piece. Something about exercise? 
me: Possibly? We’ve written a bit about events, so perhaps a continuation of that? 
lmuniste: I don’t know.
me: Me neither.  

Local Events

After some further thought, there are a variety of things to do in your local area right by your college (or inside of it!) with your SWE-isters! Google the follow terms and the town you live in or where you have a close proximity (for example: Denver art gallery): 

The list goes on. I invite to add your own by commenting on this post. 

Last thoughts on the cold…

Also, if you find that you move slower in the winter outside, the Society of American Military Engineers paper on The Effects of Cold Weather on Productivity  has an explanation for that too, complete with nomographs to find out your decrease in efficiency. And remember, if you are griping about the cold, be happy that it isn’t 1709 (New Scientist). 

Islin (islinmoy at gmail dot com) also serves as FY09 COR MEGA Issues Task Force Chair. 

Congratulations to the FY10 RCR and RCNE for Region i and the winner of the conference bid is…

{ February 13, 2009 @ 9:53 pm } · { Collegiate Events, Meet the Region }
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by Islin Moy
FY09 Regional Collegiate Newsletter Editor, region i 

Congratulations to this year’s new collegiate leadership for Region i! The FY10 RCR is Katrina “Kati” Keilholz with the FY10 RCNE being Emily Miller! Both are from the University of Missouri. Region i is happy to have you represent us in the upcoming fiscal year!  They were voted in during the Collegiate Business Meeting on February 7, 2009 at the Region i Regional Conference at Washington University at St. Louis. 

University of Missouri will also be the host for next year’s Region i Conference! Great prep work and keep it up!

January Hot Topic: Making the most of Regional Conference & Preparing Future Leaders (revisited)

{ February 2, 2009 @ 6:30 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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Kristina: Send mostly underclassmen to region conference and encourages them in the future to consider positions such as RCR, RCNE, etc.

Wendy: RCR/NE must be at least a sophomore, junior. Must be a paid SWE member (nationally) for at least two years.

Kate: My biggest advice is to have a post-conference meeting with those who attend from your section. This gives you time to discuss what you learned, succession planning, and how you can implement ideas in your section. 

Wendy:  It is a good idea to send section officers to the Collegiate Leadership Coaching Committee presentations to gain info on improving your section.  In the past my section has encouraged members to attend these sessions and/or current officers have attended them with potential future officers.  We have also sent people to different sections to take notes that can then be shared with everyone later.

Wendy: It is also good to encourage all freshmen and sophomores that have shown potential to attend the regional conference. Often just telling them you think they should attend is enough to make them consider the idea.

Wendy: One of the biggest opportunities regional conference provides is the opportunity to network with members of other SWE sections.  It is good to encourage members to talk with members of other sections.  You may also want to brief your members attending on the section practices/issues you want more info/advice on.