Decmber Blog post

Gnvjn Being that this is my last post of this year, I work like to say HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE/ New Year's Day!. I've enjoyed this school year very much and it's an honor to work beside great students and amazing teachers! 

Enough said, for this month in my mentorship, my mentor and the engineering team were focusing a lot of time on their finals and I understood the stress that they were undergoing so I didn't try asking to much of their help. I still was able to attend many events but my favorite event that I got to attend was the Robo Olympics. The robo Olympics was a 404 class project with one of the guys on my team, Ian , and his team was to work on a smaller robot to compete in a series of challenges such as tug of war, seek and destroy, uphill climb, and the first impressions. His team scored 2nd in the first impressions challenge and this was the robot:

The shell was the part I didn't like cause the powder that it was giving off due to the sanding was seriously irritating my nose: 

I literally have to move far away cause I couldn't stop sneezing !

When it came to the event, I was only able to tape the first event due to my phone dying but here's the links to the tug of war event.;

Link 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpUyYdwIP2A&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Link 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ATJ0uKuxZ4&feature=youtube_gdata_player

In the end Still better than SLO ( our robot ) got 3rd place because it lost all the events except two. 

When it comes to the upcoming winter quarter, I will be working on the FPGA so that should be fun!

Extra blog post 2 November

Nothing much has changed since my other post this month because my team is on break as well, so I have nothing to report on, all I'm doing is getting money to gets computer that way I can do some work on my own for the FPGA on UGV ground station. Next blog will include more details for that. 

Blog 9: EQ

1.   Review this.  Confirm by stating "I reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ."
Essential Question 
Once a topic is chosen, the student will develop a working essential question.  The purpose of the working essential question is to help the student build a strong foundation of research which will allow him or her to create an essential question that encourages depth and rigor in the chosen topic.  An essential question must:

• Provide a framework for studies (It calls for breadth and depth of research, Is not a yes/no question)
• Takes a stance (Allows you to argue some point, Cannot be a recitation of facts or a list)
•  Format (It is specific, The wording makes sense)

2.  Review the following EQs and

• Tell us if it meets the rule of 3 criteria.
• Tell why it does or why it doesn't

 a.  What is the most important factor in healthy weight loss?

- Well obviously the topic is addressed as "weight loss". The way the wording is stated leaves this EQ very open ended with a variety of answers. This question is also not a simple yes or no question it requires some backround knowledge or further research to answer the question. All in all I think this EQ does in fact cover the requirements to qualify as a good EQ.

 b.  What is most important to securing a conviction in a criminal investigation?

- This topic in all honesty when phrased like this makes it really hard to answer the question. The way the sentence is phrased is too complex and doesn't let the question flow well. Although the subject does call for intense research, I don't feel this a good EQ.

 c.  What is most important in creating a hairstyle that best satisfies a customer?

- the wording on this seems a little too random, the flow from most important to creating a hairstyle is just too rough. The EQ is also a bit confusing for me because I don't know what it's asking for, like is it asking for hair styles techniques or etc what is it?! I don't think this EQ is a good EQ.

 d.  How can an Anesthesiologist best treat chronic pain?

-I like how this question is phrased, it is smooth and to the point, yet simple. It would require a bit of information to answer and it isnt just a simple yes or no question. There are many wYs you can answer this question and I think its a great EQ.

3.  Based on your review of the rule of 3 and your experience with assessing four EQs, please write another draft EQ for your senior project.

What is the most important thing in electrical engineering (within UAV & UGV's).

By the way "I reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ."

Extra blog post

I haven't really done much, but lately I've been working on ASCII. ASCII is similar in binary, except instead of operating off a series of 1's and 0's, it uses letters like ABC. although it's better for people to see what it says, it actually takes up more space, so binary can take up one byte, while the same binary translated into ASCII would be four bytes. Well that's all for now, I should have more by the 30th of this month. By the way here's the UGV I talked about. 

Extra Blog Post

 Alright so this month has revealed a lot of wonderful surprises, especially finding two mentorships, one being at Boeing, and the other being with a Grad student from Cal poly.  I also am working with Brenden, Bryan, and many more seniors on a robot, so we can enter it into a competition.

Bryan and Brenden, I was there as well I just took the picture. We were constructing an arena to do a few test runs for our robot.

This is our robot. Well a verity of designs for it. 

Next time I have to do an extra post, Ill include stuff with my mentorship. The reason I didnt mention that is because I haven't typed up my notes and posted my pics for them yet, so next time I will post on that behalf. 

Research and Working EQ

1.  What is your working EQ?

What are the most important aspects/features of electrical engineering?

2.  What is a possible answer to your working EQ? Please write the answer in thesis format.

 -(more of a personal stand point I noticed) Logic and reasoning skills are also helpful for electrical engineers to determine in what order operations should occur, which components must be engaged in each step of the process and how they should perform. 

-(mechanical Feature) The ability to control and regulate a waveform weather it be Direct or Alternative currents flowing through a terminal safely and efficiently with minimal power loss. includes how it flows through resistors inductors and also capacitors.


3.  What is the most important source you have used that has helped you come up with an answer to your working EQ? 

Electrical, Electronics, and Digital Hardware Essentials for Scientists and Engineers, its a book covering th e basics of electrical engineering, and it has been a huge help, When I first started reading it, it only covered a few basics but as I started advancing, it started to go more in depth with the math behind the components and how they function. Its Made me understand different aspects that I can look at to answer my EQ such as energy storage between transfering energy, and transfering energy safely without any power lost or the energy damaging the components.

4.  Who is your mentor, or where are you volunteering, and how does what you are doing relate to your working EQ?

My mentor's name is Eric Williams of Lockheed Martin Corporation (can vary, its diferent people everytime), I honestly have to say I haven't been able to completely answer what im looking for about my EQ because I havent had alot of time, mostly because of the government shutdown.

Blog 7: Independent Component 1 Approval

1.  Describe in detail what you plan to do for your 30 hours.

In the robotics club, we are covering basics of circuits and basic currents (involving resistors, dielectrics, insulators, etc) and a few components  then they are going to show me how to set these components up and how to install them to there proper spot. thats what I know for sure at this point. To continue with my research, as well as continue with a hands on approach, I joined the robotics club. I'm working with Bryan and Brendan on the engineering team.

2.  Discuss how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence.

I've started to take pictures of plans and blue prints we've drawn on the drawing board. We are working on an Edrawing that is basically our blueprint of our robot, I'll be asking if I can post pictures of the design, but if not I'll show pictures of our previous designs, better yet we just ordered our parts to construct it, so I'll definitely have pictures of us building it.

3.  And explain how what you will be doing will help you explore your topic in more depth.

Im basically working with a group of students from Cal Poly, along with a few seniors and juniors. Its kinda hard collaborating but we all get our ideas onto the board one way or another. When they showed us some of the circuits, I felt a bit lost cause I didn't really understand the functions or properties of the components, but I'm slowly starting to get it. 

So Close Yet So Far

Just a basic update : I finally got my mentorship at Lockheed, but now the problem I am facing is finding a mentorship close. Although I am happy I finally got it, it sucks having to drive all they way to Palmdale to get my hours.  I would love to post pictures and everything, but I don't have anything at this point. Instead of wasting my time, beside mentorship, I've been looking into my past research and I came to the conclusion that I might just start looking for any type of electrical engineering, mostly due to the fact that just trying to get a military position was hard. That's all I have to say for now but, by next month I shall have pictures with detail. I start start mentorship on Saturday.

Blog:6 Second Interview Questions

1.  Who is your mentor and where do they work?
- My background check for Lockheed Martian has been verified and soon will have a spot opening up. But as my back up I called and emailed Boeing, Gunthorp, and two other companies, and I hope to have a mentor within this upcoming week.

2.  What five questions will ask them about their background?

- Where did you get your Engineering degree from? 

-When did you become involved in this specific field of engineering?

- How did you end up working for (company that accepts me first), or what has led you here?

-  What is your daily routine as an Electrical Engineer in the military?

- How has Electrical Engineering changed since you started working in this field?

- What would you recommend for me at this time to enter this profession? 

Blog 5 Project Reflection and Working EQ

The Pentagon: 

(1) Positive Statement: What positive thing happen as a result of what you have completed so far?
- I guess a positive thing that has happened so far would be that I have talked to a lot of people in the field I am looking at. When I first started looking for a field, I was only looking at one field and I found that field relatively boring, then realizing that there are literally thousands of fields for electrical engineers ranging from a military aspect to energy grid aspect. I hope to get into a military aspect of it, although if I don't get it, Ill have to settle for something in electronics.

(2) EQ Content:  Pick a piece of research or your interview.  How has it helped you improve your understanding of your topic? 

- Over the course of the time we have completed so far in school, I haven't came across a strong source of information until my class went to the Cal Poly Pomona Library. There I found outstanding resources and books that are just mind blowing, and they are exactly what I was looking for. This article by Jon J Lowell titled "Military Application: Targeting Systems" i found it fasinating that not only did it give me some good infromation it showed step by step creations and installments, from plug ins to chips, it had it all, and that was just one article out of seven! Now that I know what a valuable resource that library is, I will use it to my advantage.

(3) What has worked for you so far in the senior project?

- I'm still not sure, if anything I was steered into a direction to see what was really out there, and now I'm trying to get into engineering majors in the military, or if something out there thats bigger that I haven't discovered yet.

(4) What hasn't worked so far?  

- Hardest thing would have to be finding a mentor, although I have to get my backround check for Lockheed, but its a hit or miss, I really just want to have a solid mentorship by now.

(5) Finding Value:  

• (A) What is a potential question you would like to study this year?  (working EQ)

- how can electrical engineering help the world from a military aspect? (If that doesn't work then energy fields I guess) 

• (A) What do you plan to do for mentorship?  If you haven't found a mentor yet, then discuss where you are currently looking and who you are talking to to find it.  

- Since I don't have a mentorship, I'm currently emailing multiple companies ranging from Boeing to Northrop. I'm really interested in working or mentoring  with the military, I can't see myself anywhere else. Im currently talking to multiple people from 5 companies and 3 are intrested, so hopfully someone takes me.

Blog: 4 Interview Preparation

1.  Who do you plan to interview?  Why?

- I plan on interviewing on of my mom's friend's who was an electrical engineer, and is now a systems engineer. He transitioned from engineering to product management and then to directing / managing.  He started in consumer electronics and then he worked for two global bio-tech firms for about 10 years. 


2. You have to ask 5 (or more) questions.  What additional questions do you plan to ask?

-What is everyday work at your job like?

-What made you decide to choose this profession?

-What classes did you take in college to prepare for your profession?

- How did you end up in your current position in your work place?

- How much was tuition for schooling and how did you pay it off?

-  What sacrifices did you make to accomplish your goals?

Blog 3: Topic Choice and Semester 1 ESLR Goals

 1.  List your topic here:

Electrical and Electronic Engineering

2.  What do you plan to do this year to show growth in each of the ESLRs?  Be specific and use an example.  Examples can come from senior project, model assembly, core, and/or participation in senior class ASB or other organizations on campus (clubs etc).

- As an Effective iPoly Citizen, I will be more engaged in activities such as Pep Rallies, Festivals, Blood Drives, Food Drives, etc. I will also be more engaged in helping my classmates in class activities and aid anyone that needs help for Senior Project.

- As an Effective Learner, I will concentrate more on school related events and assignments such as Senior Project, Mentorship, and any other project/assignment related material. I plan to face the challenges of senior year head on and to the best of my ability and make sure I put in all my effort.

- As an Effective User of Technology, I will use my time wisely on the computer and do research, (instead of playing games because thats been a huge problem for me), I understand that there are websites out there to help me understand what it is that I am learning.

- As an Effective Communicator, I will be more Communicative among my classmates and group members to make sure everyone knows whats happening and giving everyone in the group an equal opportunity to express their ideas. I will be more active in class discussions, giving my input and advice, this also applies to ASB ideas and suggestions.

Blog 2: Summer Mentorship Component

1. Summer Mentorship Log (link provided below)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AgYtcT43q7wgdG11WXpPb2F3b3JtbjlWbFpUNlBiWkE&usp=sharing

2. Contacts & Numbers:
   David Schwartz # (714)-983-1592
   Dave Rumph # (310)-333-7519

3. What questions were raised because of the 10 hours of experience?

- How does programming tie into Electrical Engineering?

- What type of classes am I looking at to take for college?

-With programming and computing being a part of Electrical Engineering, could there be a military application? (such as aerospace, aircraft, cyber, etc.)

- What are some major Companies dealing with a military background if the question above is a possibility?

4. What was the most important thing you gained from this experience?

- I really liked working with both Dave and David. David was very engaging and showed me a direction to head in and branches of engineering to look into (electronic, electrical, and mechanical). He introduced me to a wide variety of opportunities, which is were I met Dave. I wanted to look into programming, getting my hands dirty with wires and circuits. Im glad I got to work with them to see how these things work, especially with the programming because I got to see my product to move just by using my coding. and seeing it move was the most exhilarating experience, knowing that I created that code and seeing a printer move because of it. It got me to look into more than just electrical engineering, it got me to explore what is  out there.

5. How did it help you choose your topic?

- When I first started this project, I wanted to be in the clean energy business, but now I'm looking into more of a military application. Right now I'm interested in defense systems; Lockheed Martin is an Aerospace Weapons and Defense company that creates defense systems to protect our homeland, and I'm already being redirected to an engineer to do my mentorship there. Im still interested in clean energy but I'm far more interested in military than I am in clean energy. David described it to me like this, engineering is a chance to fix something in the world, to make the world safer and better for others. When I was programing at Xerox with the printers, it led me to look into ways to help out and contribute to the world. Seeing what Engineers work with, I know this is what I want to do, But I want to get dirty, I want to create something and help build it, I look at it this way, "Why design it and watch others build it when I could design and help construct a masterpiece". Like I said with the programming, seeing the code I typed and seeing it function is exactly what I want to do, but hopefully on a larger scale in the future. 

2013 2-Hour Senior Presentation Reflections

QUESTIONS IN BOLD, ITALICIZED, AND UNDERLINED.
answers under the questions.

1. What presentations did you see?  Name the topic and the person's first name.
Answer
Presenter/topic

1.Bobbie R/ Marathon Running
2.Lucas A/ Designing Haunted Attraction
3.Danielle C/ Horticulture
4. Elijah A/  Marine Biology
5.Mariah C/ Social Media Networking
6. Ivy J/ Art Curating
7.Joseph L/ Firefighting
8.Arista D/ Fashion
9.Dolores R/ Theater Technician
10.Jose C/ Music Journalism
11.Eric R/  Marine Conservation Bio
12.Dina S/  Body Building
13.Lauren D/ Homelessness
14.Amber M/  Equine Assisted Therapy


2.  (Need to know) What questions do you have that haven't been answered about the senior project? This can be about the senior project in general, any components or about a presentation topic you saw or what they said.  
Answer
I have only 3 questions that I have not had answered yet so here they are:

-What happens if we don't make time like we have 1 hour and 30 min., does this mean we must represent?

-Are we allowed to use videos in the senior presentation, like narrate it while it plays?

-What are the limitations as to what the topic can be and what we can put in the 2 hour presentation?



3. What has the most important part of the senior project based on what you are seeing in the 2-hour presentations?
Answer
- Aside the answers to the Essential question created, the most important part to senior presentations is basically knowing your information and presenting it with evidence. Like in Lauren's homelessness presentation, she was very professional and her subjects she covered where covered by stories and evidence, although her activities were not the best, she did a magnificent job. Although the activities help aid the presentation, but they don't make the presentation, it seems that you are scored time for giving new information rather than relapsing what they already said. I think what you have to do is know your stuff and then spice it up with activities and anything else to top it off.


4. What topic are you considering doing and why?
Answer
(NOTE i have listed 2 but Im most likely going to narrow it down to Engineering, and im using OBGYN as my back up plan)

- Im planning on doing Electrical (also electronic) Engineering because I've always been that kid that loves to mess around with wires and electricity, I like to know how and why things work with currents, I already spend time with family and a few people that have professional businesses in this profession. When I was a kid I'd always be destroying electronics that were broken pulling out the copper and other metals and I'd make my own little contraptions, once i made my door handle shock people that tried to enter my room by hooking copper wiring with a fuze box and 12 volt battery, and it worked, I have countless stories of stuff I've done.

- Im not sure if we are allowed to do two topics but if i could I'd also like to do OBGYN and nurse midwifery, my mom is in this profession and this also festinates me. I've worked restocking the rooms and have seen countless times of what it is like to work there.