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1st Annual Undergrad Research Symposium

The first annual Undergraduate Research Symposium was held April 11, 1997 in Akerman Hall on the University of Minnesota campus. Undergraduate students from Bethel College, Bemidji State University, Augsburg College, and the University of Minnesota were in attendance along with faculty advisors from their departments. The goal of this Symposium was to allow students to present current research in oral or written form and to give them an opportunity for peer response. Presentations included "A Study of Quasi-Periodic Emissions: Some Ideas for Causation and Some Tools of Analysis," by Eric Klatt (Augsburg); "Ground Observations of Ion-Cyclostron Waves at Cusp Latitudes," by Lars Dyrud (Augsburg); "CRRES Observations of Substorm Characteristics and Frequency Analysis in the Near Earth Plasma Sheet," by Erick Agrimson (Augsburg); "The Power Absorption Spectrum for Spring-Mass Systems," by Lee Estepp (Bethel); "Real-Time Stroboscopic Holography for Imaging Sound in Gases," by David Weilinski (Bethel); "Optical Measurements of Reflective Dichroism for Magnetic Media," by Colin Marsh (Bethel); and "Two-Stage Reconnaissance Design Project," by Brian Damiani, Michael Ondrey, Jr., (U of M). Advising faculty were Dr. Mark Engebretson and Dr. Ken Erickson from Augsburg College, Dr. Tom Greenlee and Dr. Richard Peterson from Bethel College, and Dr. Andrew Vano from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus. Students attending from Bemidji State Universtiy were accompanied by Kris Cannon, J.D., professor of Space Law at BSU.

Pictured above is Brian Damiani, presenting
"Two Stage Reconnaissance Design Project"

Participants from Bethel, Bemidji State, Augsburg, and the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

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Introducing: Michelle Ruder, Summer 1997 Space Grant Intern!

Hello everyone! I'm a sophomore Mechanical Engineering student from Wisconsin who's going to be an astronaut, and, hopefully, the first woman on the Moon! I would also like to help construct and work upon the International Space Station, take the CAPCOM post at Mission Control in Houston, and help make the Manned Mission to Mars a reality! I've been to the U.S. Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama twice, and I launched a Super Loki rocket from the shores of Sheboygan, WI last year with Rockets for Schools. I started working with Randi Quanbeck and the MnSGC last summer and loved being part of Space Grant team! I was also a mentor in the Program for Women in IT's computer camps for girls this summer. Both experiences were great and I learned a lot. I hope Space Grant needs an intern next summer, too!

'Chelle

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SESEM 1997

The above photo was taken at the Summer Explorations in Science, Engineering & Mathematics (SESEM) program for high school students that was held June 16-July 22 on the University of Minnesota (U of M) campus. The U of M Institute of Technology (IT) provided teens with a strong interest in math and science the opportunity to work directly with IT faculty to explore topics in science, engineering, and mathematics at the college level. Participants were enrolled in an IT calculus summer course and introduced to the applications of calculus through exposure to current laboratory research. The research topics covered included the movement of Jupiterís moons, aerodynamics and thrust of rockets, molecular engineering and chemistry, computer chip technology, mining and geology, voice digitization and modern communication. The students received college credit from IT for the course. Jerry Brenden, an Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics (AEM) graduate student (pictured above, far right) and Dr. Bill Garrard, Professor and Head of the Department of Aerospace Engineering, facilitated the AEM rocketry session for SESEM.

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