Start Studying For Finals NOW

Robots Storm the Castle

After a year of watching robots playing forklift simulator in the FIRST Robotics 2015 game Recycle Rush FIRST has raised the bar with their new game Stronghold. Alliances will work to take over the opposing team’s castle with Medieval flair. Robots must break through opposing alliance’s defenses, launch boulders to weaken the castle, and climb its walls to claim it as there own. A unique aspect of this game is the modularity of the defenses. Outer barriers that the robots will be navigating through can be swapped between matches with the choice of a portcullis (gateway to be lifted up), Cheval de Frise (teeter totter), moat, rampart (opposing steel ramps), drawbridge, Sally Port, rock wall, rough terrain, low bar and platforms. Five of these defenses assigned with obscure french names will be picked before each match. For the first time in FIRST Robotics history there will be audience participation enabling spectators to choose one of the defenses. There are 10,000 different field combinations!

Creativity of Stronghold was manifested from FIRST’s new partnership with Disney Imagineers. They collaborated to carry the season’s Medieval theme through the game’s decorative field pieces and motivating the teams to create a standard, a sort of battle flag. Ample Monty Python and the Holy Grail references were scattered though out the Kick Off broadcast from FIRST Headquarters. I am suspicious that the Stronghold theme was solely conceived for that reason. The trailer like game hint was created to capture interest of folks outside of the FIRST world instead of “in joke” game hints like this. It seems FIRST will continue to release game hints with this a mobile game aesthetic style in future years revealing the years’ theme.

Already most teams have brainstormed a design and a strategy. A group called Ri3D (Robot in Three Days) has already built a fully functional robot. This robot can complete in every aspect of the game proving from my perspective to be worthy of a regional competition win. The idea of building a competitive robot in three days must give rookies teams hope.  Check out Ri3D’s final product: https://youtu.be/Kd1FaSNoDiM

This season my hands are off the robot and on the computer as a project mentor helping students write newspaper articles covering the build season and competition. Check out earlier publications by our group BlueDevil Press and online here.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

If you are a strategy engineering feel you may enjoy reading the Stronghold game manual:

https://firstfrc.blob.core.windows.net/frc2016manuals/GameManual/2016GameManual-Full-20160112.pdf

Mentor a team or volunteer at a regional event: http://www.firstinspires.org/ways-to-help/volunteer

Find a local robotics team to donate to. Often local teams will have their own website with instructions on how to donate/ where to send a check to: http://www.firstinspires.org/find-local-support

Check out my old robotics team the Duluth East Daredevils: http://www.daredevils2512.org/

Defrag 2014 Wrap Up

Defrag's Predictions for the Future of Tech

So what is in and growing in the world of technology? For sure containers, clouds and APIs. Containers allow developers to run more applications simultaneously and currently Docker is the king of containers. Docker provides open source application deployment through containers creating an additional layer of abstraction and replaces virtual machines. Google has developed Kubernetes, an open source container cluster manager to manage your Dock containers. IBM recently launched Bluemix, a platform that enables developers to launch applications on a cloud and scale up to handle increases of traffic. Personally I will be playing with Bluemix because a representative of IBM shared how Bluemix was used at a hackathon to quickly deploy an app. APIs (Application Programming Interface) are a set of tools used to build software applications. Each layer of APIs abstract from machine code, make interfacing with the machine easier by using more human language, and become more relevant to the application being designed. Managing APIs makes sense for developers especially because those in computing value abstraction and code reuse. Platforms for sharing, storing, and developing APIs are popular since developers will not have to reinvent the wheel to get an application running. Many companies need the same kinds of applications. Pools of APIs provide an interface for these generic needs.

Philosophy of Defrag

Nerd Nite is an event where science meets good times. Individuals present about their tech passion while the crowd enjoys a drink. Presentations from Nerd Nites have been memorable to me due to the pure energy driving the presentation and the motivation behind the presenter to simply share their ideas. There has been presentations about Star Wars, creating a to scale replica of the Big Dipper, and our Mayor's take on the method of choosing political delegates. Defrag is like Nerd Nite on crack. It is two days of back to back Nerd Nite-ish presentations topped with an evening of networking. Defrag's philosophy is to provide a conference for people to share their ideas while attendees to enjoy without being bored by sales pitches. Sure speakers are a part of a company but the focus of their presentations are bigger ideas. Defrag did such a good job implementing this philosophy that I felt uncomfortable when a speaker tried to make a plug for their product. It was like they were tarnishing Defrag's pure intent to simply share ideas. As I am sure many other Defraggers agree, it was refreshing to hear the tech industry is still human.

What I Learned

As a sophomore in college I'm sure what I got out of this conference was pretty different than the majority of attendees working in industry. I could talk to you all day about new applications/technologies I learned about, but mostly I felt relieved about the kind of environment, although still not ideal, tech industry will provide in my career. IBM's Most Prolific Female Inventor, Lisa Seacat DeLuca, presented about her daily life patenting, inventing, and raising two awesome kids. She is the proof of concept of work life balance; pursuing your personal and career goals. In tech industry, getting eight hours of sleep and having a social life is possible! Author Jane Miller wrote this kick butt book debunking stereotypes in the workplace, "Sleep Your Way to the Top", after someone in her workplace questioned if her current position in the company was not due to her ability alone. While flipping through my copy I see great tips on how to handle awkward situations in the workplace, how to defend yourself in industry, and how leaders in these companies can be good leaders. Miller's advice to the audience is "give honest feedback, don't be a jerk, and mentor". At Defrag I saw people aware of the change needed in industry to make work environment more female friendly, as well as more friendly in general, and an attitude to make that change.

Experience at the conference confirmed my decision to study what I am and motivated me to continue pursuing what I love. I enjoyed representing NCWIT as an Aspirations in Computing Award winner, representing University of Minnesota Duluth for the first time at a tech event and meeting others with similar passions in technology. Defrag you rock!

Links to Check Out (Basically what I will be doing, reading, and playing with over winter break)

"We'll do it live!!" Bluemix where I will be making apps this winter: https://console.ng.bluemix.net/

Docker/ Container Links: https://www.docker.com/ http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Docker_(software)

NCWIT National Center for Women in Information Technology go to for Women in Tech stats and proven ways to close the gender gap in tech: http://www.ncwit.org/

SKYNET IS REAL bow down: http://developer.octoblu.com/

Robots that forecast weather: http://understoryweather.com/

Defrag Conference: http://www.defragcon.com/2014/

SPACEWALK LIVE! http://www.ustream.tv/nasahdtv Edit/update: I was mistaken, Shane is preforming the EVA and not Peggy. As of 9:50amCT the astronauts are over 1.5hrs ahead of schedule and now performing extra tasks to get ahead. I am out of mission control now. They completed installing new Lithium Ion batteries.

Lights flashed on the stage.These are real life rock stars. 12,000 women computer scientists and engineers gathered for the Grace Hopper Women in Celebration. Women or not already during day one I learned valuable career advice anyone can benefit from. What's Your Niche? Take a moment to think about what other people think about you. No, not what they think about your clothing or how you shoved that piece of pizza in your face. What they think about you as a whole. Like it or not, everyone has a niche or brand that people identify you with. Are you a trail blazer? Approachable? Efficient? Ally? Approachable? Ask someone how they see you, however, you may not like the results... but there is a solution. There was a women in the workplace who was described to have career ADD, meaning she would purposely take on projects in disarray, fix them and move on to the next crumbling project. Transforming her weakness into a strength she used her talent to reorganize lost causes becoming a strategist. Co-workers could go to her for help with theor projects adding value to the team. Crucial Conversations In Your Career Unavoidably there will be times in your career when you have to practice conflict resolution, stick up for yourself and simply communicate with others what you are working on. Various social norms can debilitate folks from communicating effectively. Here are charactierstics that ensure effective communication: Be Direct, Be Specific, Be Proactive & Be Confident Advice From a CEO As an NCWIT (National Center for Women & Information Technology) collegiate member peers and I had the opportunity to have lunch with the CEO and engineers from Qualcomm. The CEO happened to sit at my lunch table and we got to ask him career advice. One of my favorite questions was, "What are characteristics that got you to the position of CEO?" His answer... 1) Communicate: speak confidently, convince others of your idea, be a good public speaker. 2) Trust: know your employee's are competent, they are the technical experts. 3) Motivate: Be a cat herder, convey the importance of the task effectively.

Astronaut Application Tips From A NASA Intern 

Astronauts are unavoidable in your daily work at Johnson Space Center. They are on the phone talking about flight plans as you try to pass on a bicycle, in meetings about future missions as you doodle on a note pad, and in front of you in line at the cafeteria as you wait to get chicken tacos. Us interns have had many opportunities to attend lectures put on by astronauts and attempt to squeeze every tidbit out about becoming an astronaut too. 

Apply Apply Apply

You can't become an ASCAN on a whim, it takes persistence. Yes that's right, pronounced "Ass" "Can", astronaut candidate. Many astronauts applied many times before being selected. Clayton Anderson, small town Nebraskan boy turned NASA engineer, applied 15 times over 15 years before becoming an ASCAN. A Mission Control flight controller in my team illustrated how every application you ever submit is stored in NASA's records. He mentioned Duane Ross, former Head of Astronaut selection, kept applications on a rolodex-esk machine. The first letter of the applicants sir name could be entered and the rolodex machine flipped to their stack of applications like a deck of cards being neatly flipped through. With modern applications being submitted via USAjobs.gov I fear the aesthetic of application sorting machines will not be preserved. Although you should apply many times doesn't mean you should apply before you meet the minimum requirements. Chris Cassidy, Chief of the Astronaut Office and former Navy Seal, remarked it would be wise to wait till you have completed a Bachelors Degree and three years of work experience. Please don't bog down the system with your work as head cheese sprinkler at Pizza Hut. 

Bare Minimums

I mentioned Chris Cassidy's minimum requirements but did not expand on what Bachelor Degrees are accepted. Typically STEM (Science Technology Engineering & Math) degrees are accepted. Particular programs can cause a grey area. If you are not confident that your degree is accepted email or Tweet at NASA with questions. Once the December 14th application opens a point of contact should be listed to ask questions. Current Head of Astronaut Selection Anne Roemer notes that an important aspect of your degree/ experience is that you can be effectively compared to other candidates. If you can not be sorted into a pile to be compared with other applicants you essentially get tossed out. In addition to experience in industry experience in the armed forces is highly admirable. Approximately 60% of astronauts have military background. Majority of civilians have a doctorate degree. Although your application will be packed with honors and laureates a bland resume format is not effective. It is desirable to express work and project experience in a narrative voice, tell your story. 

Not A Checklist 

When asked "Why were you picked to be an astronaut?" five out of five astronauts I have asked said, "I don't know". Many variables come into play when selecting a candidate that the "kicker" characteristic that gets you in isn't obvious. A sure fire way NOT to get picked is to make your journey to becoming an astronaut a check list. I had the opportunity to spend time with astronaut Mike Fossum at a cook out this summer. He said, "The road to becoming an astronaut is littered with successful careers". Meaning perfectly respectable careers were lost as folks tried in vain to be astronauts. Simply do what you enjoy most. That may naturally lead to a career as an astronaut. 

Applications open December 14th: https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/be-an-astronaut-nasa-seeks-explorers-for-future-space-missions

 More application requirement details: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/pdf/606877main_FS-2011-11-057-JSC-astro_trng.pdf

Dedicating my pencil sketch to the Apollo 11 anniversary!

Intern Week 3: Graveyard Shift

Why am I at NASA at 2am? (Like what, thought that was a SpaceX thing.) Us interns have the graveyard shift to thermo test cameras for the ISS. This means that we are making the cameras really cold and really hot to see if they can withstand conditions in space. The cameras are just really high class HD Nikon cameras in custom housing and 3D printed lenses. The astronauts will use these to show ground what they are working on in space and zoom in on fine details to show damages. We record time and temperatures and the test lead does operational testing to see if the cameras still give back an image. Such a cool experience to assist in testing equipment that will actually go to space. The bottom picture is me next to the thermo test chamber.

The top picture is me in front of a motion/ zero gravity chamber that the astronauts trained in that needed to be decommissioned.

The goober next to me in the Orion mock is Caleb and he has a sick blog: astronomicalwonders

Master Research & Development - Learn LabVIEW

LabVIEW is a graphical programming language introduced to most via FIRST Robotics, an intro to computer science class or because a past engineer used it in your workplace. Characterized by its code blocks logically stringed together with wires LabVIEW has been shrugged off and abandoned for "adult" non-graphical languages. I too thought my days of dragging and dropping would be limited to troubleshooting retired FIRST robots. After a number of internships featuring leading edge research and development projects controlled by LabVIEW I decided to reconsider my neglectful relationship with the language. 

Brains of a NASA prototype deep space habitat's power system is controlled by a National Instrument's C-RIO programmed with LabVIEW. I started to realize LabVIEW was no joke. LabVIEW was used once again to prototype an Orion-like space craft display and process commands from sibling systems. Energy conversion systems for NASA's ISRU (In-Situ Resource Utilization)  are controlled by sophisticated LabVIEW code following software engineering frameworks such as the "Actor Framework". During my NASA experiences I learned that LabVIEW was no joke and could be used for cutting edge research and development (R&D). 

Top skills to learn in LabVIEW to become an effective R&Der include user interface design, control and data collection.

Interface Design

LabVIEW enables the ability to create graphical user interfaces (GUIs) of your controls as you drag and drop code. While you work on the backend "Block Diagram" focusing on logic LABVIEW creates a user interface you can personalize later for the user. The default GUIs may not be the prettiest but there are plenty of opportunities for customization. LabVIEW user interface tutorial. How to customize user controls.

Control 

Using software engineering mantras or simple case structures your control design system can be complex or simple with LabVIEW. As you create a loop function by actually drawing a loop around code and deciding the order of code execution by drawing a wire between code blocks you will find it is quite intuitive.  LabVIEW doesn't offer control unique from any other language, rather how you visualize the control. Series of videos to familiarize yourself with control structures in LabVIEW.

Data Collection

National Instruments has devices that work for plug and play data collection. Their CDaq device you plug sensors into and then recognized by LabVIEW. CDaq's code block in LabVIEW allows you to connect with a wide array of sensors, send sensor data to an Excel sheet, enter raw data into formulas, and more. Within an hour a data collection program could be thrown together for fast data collection. Video on LabVIEW data collection.

If you want do some R&D, to slap together a system to test out and work out kinks in a design LabVIEW is a quick tool to use. I am not affiliated or endorsed by National Instruments. This post is an advice piece, not an endorsement.

A thing I helped is in space!

I randomly took this screenshot during the spacewalk yesterday because I thought the reflection of the astronaut looked cool. Past NASA mentor pointed out that the lower reflective device is actually a HD camera @astronomicalwonders and I monitored during testing! We took the graveyard shifts monitoring data during cold thermo-cycling (checking if it could really handle chilly space temperatures). We recorded time and temperatures and the test lead performed operational testing to see if the cameras still give back an image. In honor of our enthusiasm for late night testing our division, the Avionic Systems Division, awarded us with certificates in Team Excellence for "reinforcing the weary EHDC project team during overnight thermo testing." Our assistance was not particularly technical but it was neat to see the path a device takes to get to space and see the final result post spacewalk insulation. The astronauts will use these cameras to show ground what they are working on in space and zoom in on fine details to show damages.

More details about the spacewalk via NASA here.

Spacewalk itinerary walk-through here.

100 Million X-Rays: NASA Co-Op #2 Week Three & Four

Jupiter orbital insertion, FIRST robotics coach visit and humidity sensor test prep have filled these past two weeks.

Drafting a fluid schematic complete with themocouples and pressure gauges I learn some fluid dynamics not expected to acquire as an electrical engineering and computer science major. The humidity sensor will be tested three ways - for 0% humidity with evaporating liquid nitrogen (Yah!), for ~ 50% with ambient room humidity down here in Houston, and >50% with ambient air being pulled through a water filled bubbler. Sensors will systemically be scattered to collect data and determine with a hefty amount of PV=NRTing if the humidity sensor works. After learning PV=NRT can only be used when you are certain the amount of water and vapor are equal to derive humidity we came up with the simple three part test matrix explained above.

My high school FIRST Robotics coach came to Johnson Space to tour some spacefaring robots, propulsion test center and space station mock ups (exact replicas of what is in space) at the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility! We also visited Houston’s Natural Science Museum and biked on Galveston.

Within a second of what was expected the Juno Spacecraft performed her tasks successfully and inserted into Jupiter’s orbit. This basketball court sized spacecraft will be exposed radiation equivalent to a human receiving 100 million X-Rays in a year. Juno also captured the first demonstration of celestial harmonic movement hypothesized by physics. Powered by solar energy this Juno is unique because most crafts that travel this far are radioisotope thermoelectrically powered. A critical part of this insertion was turning the solar arrays back toward the Sun post insertion.

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

Watch…

Juno Media Briefing: https://youtu.be/I6uUEYOzipw

Juno Insertion: https://youtu.be/zfIqnpqPFbI

Juno Post Insertion Media Briefing: https://youtu.be/LH_uPWU5V3o

Apply for a NASA Internship: https://intern.nasa.gov/ossi/web/public/guest/searchOpps/

Apply for a NASA Co-Op (check back as it is updated as soon as one opens): http://nasajobs.nasa.gov/studentopps/employment/opportunities.htm