SPECTROMETER TEAM IEEE Est. 2012: Row t: S. lnabnet, A. Shafer, E. Wilson (sponsor), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers est. T. Reed, B. Thomason. 2009: Row 1: W. Plybon (sponsor), A. Shafer, J. Watson, A. Anderson, C. Wu (sponsor). Row 2: A. Niragire, H. Li, M. Bigham, F. Hickey, C. Mott, J. Robbins. Row 3: C. Palmore, E. Apgar, M. Shafer, J. Herridge, T. Doran, B. Thomason. RESEARCH TEAM BUILDS INSTRUMENT FOR NASA P rofessor of Chemistry Dr. Ed Wilson was dedicated to science in many of its forms; while he taught chemistry, he also organized several engineering projects and led the High-Resolution Spectrometer Team. The highresolution spectrometer was a device that measured very precise properties of light often used in material analysis. This particular competition involved building a solar spectrometer to gather data on the sun via the electromagnetic spectrum. Building such a device took an incredible amount of precision and engineering skills. The students involved in the team were - recruited by Wilson based on their interest in that field, their abilities and dedication to research. Junior Brennan Thomason dedicated a large portion of his time to the team. The team provided a unique experience that would help further Thomason's career in electrical engineering. Thomason had Wilson as a chemistry professor, and Wilson quickly got Thomason involved in various research projects. As Thomason neared completion of a Mars Rover robot, another Harding project, he considered participating in the National Student Solar Spectroscopy Contest to help their team make the most accurate solar spectrometer possible. "[Wilson] seemed like a really fun person to work with, and the research projects he had available all interested me, so I asked if I could become involved,'' Thomason said. Wilson said that building a spectrometer took a lot of dedication. The team began working on the project in September by writing a letter requesting to participate in the competition. By January or February, the students wrote a report of their work with the spectrometer. In May, the competition concluded with a visit to Montana State University in Bozeman, Mont., the host school of the competition. Students who were involved in the team, such as senior Anna Shafer, received NASA undergraduate researcher scholarships. They not only participated in the process of building the spectrometer, but they also became involved in K-12 outreach to help younger kids gain an interest in this field of study, which is how Shafer learned about engineering and research. "The scholarship will make it possible for me to be more active with the team because it will reduce the amount of time spent at work,'' Shafer said. "We are and will be doing outreach to local schools. Our goal is to teach them about engineering and research while they build their own spectrometer. I am looking forward to these opportunities to pay it forward." By participating in the competition to see who had the most accurate solar spectrometer, the students learned important things about the field of engineering. The project was about more than the finished product. Throughout the process, students learned principles of time management, responsibility and teamwork as well as practical knowledge about the spectrometer. "It is a very rewarding experience to get to see how your personal involvement in the design and building process helps bring about the finished, fully functional project when it is all done," Thomason said. "It's good to be a part of a team and learn how to work as a group to bring the whole project together." Mandy Valentine 25
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==