Day 1

The lab that I am working in at the Ohio Aerospace Institute works with the simulation of running an airport. There are different computers that simulate how planes taxi to runways on the ground, simulate the approach of airlines from a radar display, and simulate the flight patterns of planes that are far away. One can control a virtual plane’s speed, direction, place in line for descent, as well as which runway it should take off from and how it should taxi to that runway. Today I learned how to operate the ground control simulator. People at CSC designed a virtual airport for training, from which I was able to launch virtual planes. Once I am proficient with using the different simulations, I will be able to help the other people in the lab with new simulations designed to test possible improvements that could be made to current air traffic control systems. Interesting things I learned today: CSC designed a virtual airport modeled after an American airstrip in Afghanistan so that air traffic controllers could be trained to operate the airstrip before they actually got to Afghanistan, where they would have had to learn the ins and outs of the airstrip while under fire. I also learned that the air traffic control simulator can be connected with a flight simulator, so someone could actually be piloting the virtual plane that you are instructing as it lands.

Day 1

I am doing my senior project with Anna Garnitz and at the end of project our goal is to have a booklet about health and wellness and how to stay healthy in Cleveland.  Today we started taking our different exercise classes to gather information for the booklet. Today we took two different aerobics/dance-type classes, which were completely different. Although we planned on taking yoga this morning, by the time we set up a pass at the JCC, because the membership desk was not open when we got there, we were a few minutes late for the class so we took their Interval Aerobics class instead.  The one at the JCC was more laid back and less impact than the one at Urban Active.  Not really knowing what this class called Prime Time really was we went to it and it ended up being a class for seniors but we took it anyways (picture to the right is from this class).  It probably was not the best way to get in great shape but it was one way to have a good time with your friend while moving around.  It worked on stretching and flexibility movements more than anything, which was nice after two hard aerobics classes.  It was a lot more fun than I expected it to be because all the elderly people in the class were so cute and friendly. Many of them thanked us for coming to their class because they love seeing young faces around the room.  Then in the afternoon we met with out senior project sponsor who works in design in order to begin discussing what we wanted to accomplish in the booklet.  This step was necessary in order to decide what we wanted to include and how to lay the information out. I am very excited for the rest of the classes we are taking and the things we are doing on project.  I will report back soon.  Hope everyone is having fun on their projects!

Ouch

Day 1
I have managed not to burn myself more than eight times on flying sparks.  I have no idea how Ken manages to grab things out of the forge--that iron has to way to hot to handle.  The best I can guess is that it's years of practice.
Basically, I was shown how to make a hook, then given a piece of iron and told to go for it.  Ken's shop uses 5 forges because, unlike other blacksmiths, they make everything short of the iron, itself.  What normally happens is that a shop will use pre-made pieces from a catalogue and then adapt them to whatever the customer wants. Ken and his group, however, make their pieces - rails, fire places, wall hangings, whatever - completely from scratch.  He says that most shops of similar size have fewer forges because of this.  In all honesty, I respect that they don't use templates.  I think it's amazing., the amount of dedication required to do that.
Anyway, I started a hook, and I managed to make the hook part--it's the other end that's killing me.  I need to flatten the other end into a circular shape, but it's looking more like a gender-confused blow fish than a circle.  I'm going to try again, tomorrow.

Very Cute First Day

Today I wasn't sure what i was going to be doing, only because most of the people i work with(actually all of them) don't come in on mondays. And seeing as i have my first shift with walking and playing with dogs tomorrow morning, and my first shifts with the adoption team later on this week, i came today with low expectations. So, the first thing i have to do when i get there is fill envelopes for the donors to the protection league. That took about two hours...then i had to take inventory for a telethon they have every year(that took about thirty minutes). P.S. I'm not doing this all alone; there is another girl from orange high school doing this for her senior project too. But, after we finish that and a couple more office projects they had us do, they send us to the cat department to do a project. We were going to make toys for the cats (it gets very boring sitting in a cage all day). So these toys were meant to get them to move and keep them busy for a while. The toy was half an easter egg filled with cat food and treats on one side so it could wobble when a cat pushed it. A lot of the cats stuck their noses in it right away(it was nice to see them get out of their little beds to see what it was). If your wondering why these cats would put so much effort into getting the cat food out-its because they are normally fed the dry food that isn't as tasty as the canned. After we were finished with the cats in the adoption room, we were allowed to go into the surgery waiting room and give some to them too(we have access everywhere in the building!). The surgery waiting room is a little bit smaller than the adoption floor so that was good we didn't have to make as many. On one side of the wall there was three rows of cat cages and on the other side was windows to the surgery room. When we walked in they were doing surgery! OMG a cat was being fixed! It was interesting to see thats all, haha. So when we were done with that our last stop was in the kitten room...you can't even imagine how cute these guys were. This is obviously my favorite room and when i have a break or nothing to do i'm allowed to go in there and play with them!(its not open to the public because their so small). But what happens next was THE highlight of my day. As i was putting eggs in some smaller cages my friend opened the larger cage that was meant for a dog(obviously there are no dogs allowed in this room <3). But the kittens in there were very crazy and they would climb up the cage and scare you because you thought they were going to fall. So when she opened the cage door they all ran out and were running around the room! It was the cutest thing ever because when we put one back in and went for the other they would all escape again! We did this for about ten minutes until i grabbed two and she got the last one. Let me tell you they have sharp little baby claws, and to have one on each arm was not ideal. But it was the funniest thing ever because that was the kind of thing that you would see in a funny animal movie. I loved that it happened and im probably going to see them again tomorrow just to say hi. ok bye.

My First Day

First day:

Mr. Feuer, Vice President of Classic Toy Company,  explained the importance of weather in his business today. He manufactures and ships stuffed animals to carnivals and other events throughout the country. Cedar Point is a major client of his. His business is very weather dependent. When there is good weather, his orders increase tremendously because these events take place outdoors. However, when the weather is poor, his orders will drop as demand decreases. He says he is like a farmer, with the weather playing an important role in his success or failure. The designs for the animals are created here, then are sent to China. The skins of the animals are produced in China, where the labor costs are considerably lower. The skins are then shipped to west coast ports on cargo ships, then overland to Cleveland. They are then stuffed and shipped throughout the country.

Welcome to Ms. Y.'s Senior Project Group!

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:

# 1. Post a blog THREE times a week (M, W & F) of at least 200 words. In your blogs you could:
-describe something you learned
-explain something that surprised you
-give an update about stuff you're working on
-explain how you solved a problem
-tell an interesting story
-also include images, sounds or video from your project.

# 2. Respond thoughtfully to another blogger's posts on this site. Post ONE of these response-blogs per week (200 or more words each). 

#3. Each of you is expected to contribute to this blog--even if you're working with another senior or with a group.

I'm really looking forward to following your project via your postings! Have fun!