August Additional Blog Post

     During my mentorship, one of the things I got to do was work with a coding program/language known as LabView. It is a type of visual programming language that can make coding easier for some, especially when there is a lot of statements calling on previously stated things. It is basically code put into a diagram like below:

     What I was asked to do with this language was more or less a repair job on a nearly completed program. One of the engineers there had begun to develop a program that would take in information from these new fiber-optic sensors that had been placed on a building model. The model appeared much like this:

     However, it was all metal and strapped with a line of sensors going down each metal bar. The end goal of the program was to display the information from the sensors into a graph. This graph would move as the structure did. This information would then be used to test the stress of the structure, but mainly was to test how effective they were at measuring the stability of certain structures. I ended up fixing the program and getting it to display the information, with help from the original engineer who had begun to develop it. I came to understand the basics of a program that most of the engineers said they use often and prefer over common coding languages. The application of these sensors was planned for many aircraft, but being first tested on stress of structures. I was exposed to that part for a good while on an experimental aircraft that was being designed to take these sensors to auto adjust a plane for the given wind conditions. 

Blog 4: Interview Preparation

1. Who do you plan to interview? Why?

      I have been unable to schedule an interview, but I should be able to interview an Aerospace Engineer who works at JPL that I have come in contact with. However, this may not workout so I am continuing to look for another interviewee. I want to interview him because he works in JPL which works directly with rockets and space components something I think my topic will focus on more.

2. What additional questions do you plan to ask?

• How did you choose what specific area of Aerospace Engineering you wanted to pursue?
• What can I truly expect when and if I get into this field?
• What have you come to enjoy and appreciate about your work?
• What can I expect in college under this major?    

Blog 3: Topic Choice and Working EQ

1. List Your Topic:

Aerospace Engineering


2. What is the most effective means of designing an aerodynamic aircraft? (Not sure this is exactly where I want to go, but it is a start.)


3. Working Bibliography on the right.

Blog 2: Summer Mentorship

1. Mentorship Log

2. Contact Information
Frank Pena
(661) 276-2622
francisco.pena@nasa.gov (He does not always answer his phone)

3. What questions were raised because of the 10 hours of experience?
What side of Aerospace engineering would I consider going in to?
What is the best place I can go to school for this?
Should I consider other fields of engineering?

4. What was the most important thing you gained from this experience? Why?
The most important thing I gained from this experience was the exposure to multiple different types of engineering. When I went there looking to be mentored in Aerospace engineering, I instead got to see Aerospace, Mechanical, Civil and Electrical engineers working together and specializing in different things. This was so important because it has helped me understand what engineering as a whole is and a little more about all of the possible fields I can join.

5. What is your Senior topic going to be? How did what you did help you choose a topic? Explain.
My senior topic is still going to be Aerospace engineering, space and things that fly have always amazed me and my experience helped show me why. This mentorship helped me choose my topic because it solidified my interest in aerospace engineering with first-hand experience, as well as it exposed me to other possible engineering topics and things I considered pursuing, but no longer want to after direct experience in those topics.