STEM Exploration Day; Bridges, Turbochragers, Flashlights, PAUL, and HAM

Today, I found myself at ERAU's activity center at STEM Exploration Day, sponsored by the Society of Women Engineers.

The society of Women Engineers would include these fine folks. From Left to Right; Abby C, Ciara T (president) and Dr. Brenda Haven (who also happens to be my academic advisor) 

Lots of clubs from Embry Riddle were Represented, IEEE, Spacecraft Detail and Design (ok, that's a class, not a club), Centrifugal Flow Systems, AIAA Design-Build-Fly, and Eagle Amateur Radio Club.

PAUL

So, this is PAUL. PAUL is the "Precision Automated Lander" designed by The Spacecraft Detail and Design Class.

 AIAA Design-Build-Fly

This was actually test-flown at one of my favorite places on all of campus-the RC field! They hand-built almost every aspect, it's part of the rules. This was designed by members of the AIAA design-build-fly group. They spend almost all of their time on computer designs and simulations to design their own RC planes (PS-i just got my own RC plane and I'm learning to fly it!!!)

IEEE MAKE YOUR OWN FLASHLIGHT

Fun Fact: These were LED flashlights. This stands for "Light Emitting Diode". I know I learned this before, but I forgot; was quite gruntled to be reminded. (Look up Gruntled. It's an AWESOME word!!!)

BRIDGES

This Person's Bridge held 30lbs!
If she doesn't go to school here, SHE SHOULD

There was a contest, to see whose bridge could hold the most weight. I'm not sure who the winner was, but I bore witness to one girl's bridge holding 30lbs. I remember doing this from High school, and mine barely got past 5. So, I was impressed.

Shoutout to Eagle Space Flight Team. You guys are cool.

EAGLE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

So, shamefully, I did not know we had this cool club on campus. They work with a real satellite that, from what I understand, ERAU developed, called EagleSat. They communicate using HAM radio. I was like, dude! AWESOME!

CENTRIFUGAL FLOW SYSTEMS

Ok, already intimidated by big words? Yeah, I was too. Apparently, this is a turbocharger. It's what's in your car. They 3D printed a mini model. From what I understand (you would probably be better off looking this up almost ANYWHERE else) it has hot air, and it mixes with cold air that the car sucks in, and makes a fan spin and makes car go fast. (If you know more detail, feel free to explain in the comments!)

Shoutout to this awesome person who took the time to explain this to me. Takes patience to explain stuff to me, sometimes. My brain needs time to break stuff down into smaller pieces.

Believe it or not, this is only Part I, there's a whole nother part about the Rocket Launches and Gliders and Aviation Stuff. Hope You've enjoyed this Martian's Eye View of STEM Exploration Day (Part I)

xoxo Martian

The Grand Canyon

So today, I took a little field trip to a place that felt, truly, like the top of the world. I had the privilege of visiting the Grand Canyon. It was absolutely breathtaking. The views, the colors, the sheer SIZE, made me feel so small. It really makes you consider your place in the world.

so the drive started out peacefully enough. Around Flagstaff, though, we spotted Snow! yes, REAL SNOW! Believe it or not, it does snow in Arizona, especially up north. 

Mom, this find was for you. an old-school dairy queen sign. Bring back any memories??

This was kind of cool. On the way up, we passed over a section of Route 66 that was like something straight out of Cars. This was an old diner. It was all very Old West.

 EEP! I was so excited when I saw this! Not just the McDonalds (although the McNuggets aren't that bad) But GRAND CANYON McDonalds. Isn't everything a little more excited when associated with some type of symbol, monument, or National Park? (The McDonalds at Steven-Udvar Hazy Research Center was so much better than the one at Atlanta Airport.)

Yes, believe it or not, in the heat of Arizona, we get snow. Even at the Grand Canyon. For me, it just added to the true beauty of the whole, incomprehensible, breathtakingly beautiful scene

The weather was Perfect. I had brought a jacket that was really only slightly neccesary in the shade. Photo Creds to JAWs

Just look at the pure SCALE of this place. On the right, i got a picture of where the river once ran through the canyon, carving its perfection.

It felt like the top of the world. There was a climb down to this spot. Although it felt like the top of the world, behind me you can see the scale of the Canyon compared to me and know that I am still so small.

It's a LONG way down

On the way out toward the exit, there was a sign for tribes that called the Canyon home. It truly made me stop and think-a canyon so large, to house this many people. Did these people realize what a beautiful place they called home?

I did visit the gift shop before I left. But what I bought there? That's for YOU to guess. The pure scale of this place could not hope to be captured in, what I feel, are incredibly simple photos. If you haven't been yet, I highly recommend it. Hope you enjoyed my Grand Canyon Adventure. 

xox Martian

ALSO: Check out these videos I took, in an effort to capture the grand scale which you are facing when standing on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. They sound like the same video, but I PROMISE they aren't,I just couldn't get myself to stop saying WOW. (They are like 18-seconds each)

Grand Canyon View

More Views from the South Rim