Monthly Archives: October 2015

Simulation Space: The Mobile Extreme Environment Research Station

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Love Space? Love your Major? Love Construction, Design or anything else? Join MEERS!

The Mobile Extreme Environment Research Station (MEERS) is a student-run project to design and build a mobile laboratory made out of a 1976 31-foot Airstream trailer for the purpose of testing and advancing space technologies.

The primary goal of this unique project is to employ solar power generation, aeroponics (a food-growth process using fertilizer-infused water mist to nourish plant roots without the need for soil) and water filtration/reclamation to create a “stand alone” facility that can operate for at least two weeks without resupply.

MEERS is comprised of three teams: Design, Construction, and Budget & Outreach. Join one or join all!

When complete, MEERS will provide crew quarters for four individuals, a galley, hygiene facilities, and workstations to facilitate data collection, science, and communication with an off-site MEERS Mission Control (MCC) center. Because MEERS is mobile, the facility can be transported to any location in the United States to support research.

MEERS has involved over 100 students from Human Factors, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aviation Maintenance Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering and more through class-related projects. Outside of class, over 20 students volunteer their time and effort to renovate MEERS, develop marketing and fundraising efforts, and submit to local and national scientific conferences.

No matter what major you are or what background you have, MEERS is the perfect research project for you!

Join us in this one-of-a-kind opportunity to promote student research in habitat design and space technologies and inspire generations of future space researchers.

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Jason Kring

Department of Human Factors

Project Manager: Tim Disher

Graduate Human Factors Student

Minor Updates

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Hello, hello! I hope everyone is doing well. The past two weeks have been a killer for me, especially with all of my classes starting to kick into high gear. There’s nothing really important to report on sadly (I know, it’s really depressing), so it’s gonna be one of those updates.

In the past two weeks, I had to write a precis (yeah, I still don’t know what that is) for my SIM 200 about in-flight simulation which in of itself is a really cool topic to read up on. On top of that paper, I had to compile a rhetorical analysis for HU 143, my intro to rhetoric class. I did amazingly well on my precis considering I never wrote one before, and I did ok on the rhetorical analysis, which I also have never written before.

My PS160, physics II, test was fun and so was my MA 242, calc II, test. In COM 219, speech, I had to give a narrative speech and I did well on that. Now I’m preparing to deliver my informative speech on photography in a few weeks in conjunction with studying for this Friday’s test.

I will say that my SIM 200 class is very interesting. One week I was in the GAT trainer, which is a disorientation simulator, and ran through two disorientation tests. Only 13 more and I can be certified…for something! Another week we went into the simulation bay to look at Riddle’s Level D CRJ 200 full-flight simulator. This thing is massive and thinking about the price of this thing makes my head hurt.

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This thing is ridiculously small…

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…really small.

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Look at it! Look at this machine!

In the extra-curricular activities life, I’ve contributed a few written articles for The Avion, which is weird because I don’t like writing at all. I’m a better photographer than a writer, but people say otherwise so maybe I have an act for both?

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I recently had the opportunity to attend one of the volleyball games which was fun! Good job Lady Eagles!

Working at the Digital Studio as a tutor is fun. I’ve gotten to meet some really cool people and learned a lot of new skills. I’m really excited to see where that goes.

I’m sorry if this update was short, and maybe boring, I promising to find interesting things to write about next time! Until then, be curious, ask questions, and watch Doctor Who.

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This past Sunday was the “super lunar eclipse”…or at least it was supposed to be since we couldn’t see anything thanks to the clouds.

The Work Load

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I can’t believe that it is already October! The first full month of school flew by. This semester, I am taking Speech, Financial Accounting, Marketing, Microeconomics, and Statistics, and I am working quite a bit in the Career Services Office as a student assistant. It is definitely a full load, but so far, it has been easy to handle; since I did survive a week of four tests and one speech due last week, I think I can handle just about anything at this point.

Towards the end of summer, I was a bit concerned with starting classes again as I did not think that I would remember how to study or really even have the motivation to study, but surprisingly, the transition was quite easy; taking interesting classes does help!

In my speech class, we are learning a lot about delivery and helping relive stress that we get when having to speak publicly. Public speaking is not really my thing as I definielty prefer writing, but so far, I am enjoying the class. Most, if not all, students will have to take the class, but it is definitely worth it as it will help you communicate and listen better.

My Financial Accounting, Marketing, and Microeconomics classes are all core business classes, and even if you are minoring in business, it is likely you will have to take them. These three classes are my favorite by far as all of my teachers make relative connections to what is going on the real world, and in Microeconomics, we are required to scan the Wall Street Journal; yes this may sound boring, but it is crucial to know what is going on in the world. Out of these three classes, Marketing is definitely the most fun as examine consumer behavior as well as how companies try to target and segment customers; plus, watching commercials provides nice breaks!

Meanwhile in Career Services, we are gearing up for our big Industry Career Expo that is Wednesday, October 7. There will be 99 employers on campus from all facets of the aviation industry as well as other industries all recruiting for interns and full time opportunities. I’ve been busy polishing my shoes, ironing my suit, and cleaning up the resume as I have a feeling that it will be a great experience. More on this soon!

Well, I have to run to Statistics. Until next time,

Jack