4/28/14-5/2/14

     This year in TPSP, I have accomplished quite a bit. I wrote a 10-page paper discussing the pros of NASA and future research. I managed to recruit a man on the Library of Congress committee on Astrobiology as my mentor, who was an incredible help to me. I put my organization skills to the limit, organizing an aerospace career fair for the students of Carnegie. I also spoke for twenty minutes describing all aspects of the project which I undertook, presenting myself and my work to an outside group of judges.

     TPSP required a lot of me. It required impeccable organization and self-motivation. It required competency and knowledge. It showed me that I am in fact capable of undertaking an assignment I was wary of at the beginning of the year. It also showed me that Astronomy and Aerospace is the field for me, as I never grew tired of my project. In fact, I grew more and more interested and passionate about the field, now that I know that NASA is in fact underfunded, and one of the most deserving places for future funding.

     I also learned my limits. Before I had the bright idea of organizing a fair, I wanted to amend the Space Act, to include a clause that removed the free sharing of inventions and ideas with the public. I wanted to change it to state that private investors would be required to pay either a licensing fee or a percentage of future profits, generating revenue for NASA without increasing the federal budget. However, I knew that that would be an even greater challenge, and that it would me much less likely to make an impact.

     If given the option, I would most definitely retake the TPSP course, and am a proponent for its benefits. I have gotten stronger and more knowledgeable from the experience, and want future Carnegie graduates to both learn about the world around them and about themselves through the requirements of this course.

4/21/14-4/25/14

     This week was my final presentation. I presented at 7:00 on Monday the 21st to a panel of five judges. I spoke for approximately 20 minutes, including the question and answer session. All of the judges seemed to be impressed by what I had accomplished this year. Ms. Bullis also filmed my presentation, in order to show the rising juniors what a successful presentation looks like. I think that I presented well. I hit all of the points that I had wanted to speak about, and also added some additional information that I picked up during the Q&A session.


    The judges did not ask very many questions, but they were good ones. For example, one of the judges had me reiterate 3 reasons why NASA should receive funding. Another judge asked what I thought about the current USA-Russia climate and how it affects our space program. Another judge asked what the bridge between my paper and product was. Finally, I was asked how I could increase audience participation for future aerospace career fairs.

4/14/14-4/18/14

     This week, I have worked towards perfecting my presentation. Specifically, I have finished the judges folder, which consists of my presentation outline, my research abstract, a description of my mentor, an annotated bibliography for both my research paper and my product, and I added a poster for my event, and some event photos. I also worked on my powerpoint presentation, making it more concise and presentable.


     Over the weekend, I have to bind my folders, as they were simply in manila folders, and I have to shorten my abstract to under a page. I also have to practice my presentation for my final presentation on Monday.

4/7/14-4/11/14

     This week, I completed my abstract, which is a short summary of the year's project as a whole. I also signed up for a presentation date, the 21st of April, at 7:00. I also spent a copious amount of time practicing my speech.


     Next week, I have a deadline due, and I will work on my presentation for copious amounts of time. I will also learn more about my judges and tailor my speech towards them. I will also contact my mentor for my final mentor meeting. I will inform him on the success of my event and get his opinion on how to approach judges with certain backgrounds.

3/31/14-4/4/14

     This week, I finished my powerpoint presentation. I added several details that are necessary, such as the NASA Budget, mineral depletion facts, and the survey results from my event. I also ran through my final presentation to a fellow student to gauge its progress. The time for the presentation was approximately 13 minutes, which is a good time. It seems ready to present to the judges. I also started work on my abstract and folder for the judges.

     The survey results were very positive, i.e., before the event, there was approximately a 50-50 split between the students in terms of interest in aerospace. After the event, the vast majority of students replied that they were interested in aerospace.

     Next week, I hope to finish my abstract and folder, and continue to finalize my presentation.

3/24/14-3/28/14

     This week, I hosted my event. It was a huge success. There were approximately 100 students that attended, which was fantastic. All of the students were impressed by the company representatives, and the company representatives were impressed by the student turnout. I created a short survey for both the students and the representatives. I asked the students if they were interested in aerospace before and after the event. I asked the representatives if they thought the event was successful and what they would have changed.


     We also had our final rounds of group presentations. My peers gave me several pointers on how to improve my final presentation. I will take these to heart for my final presentation.

3/10/14-3/14/14

     This week, I continued to advertise the event. I created and posted posters around the school. I also created an event with social media and invited several people. It is a better way to gauge audience size than passing out tickets because people check their Facebook, etc. very often, reminding them of the event. I also spoke to many of the math and science teachers about offering extra credit to attendees, and the majority of them said that they would offer it.


     I also received a confirmation of attendance from Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies, another contractor. They are the ninth booth of the event, which should help with interest.


     Over the break, I will continue to advertise my event on the internet.

3/3/14-3/7/14

     This week, I focused mostly on advertisement of the event, concentrating on social media. I also used some of my contacts who are in various STEM-related clubs to spread the word about the event. I have already given out approximately 12 tickets, however that is only a fraction of the amount which I would like to give out. I also helped a fellow student with her project, and she will allow me to advertise my event at hers.


     I have to start really pushing my event, including putting up posters in classrooms.

2/24/14-2/28/14

     This week, I worked more on my speech for the fair. I have yet to receive some of the bios of both the company and their representatives, so my speech is unfinished because of that. I also met with Ms. Bullis concerning my project. She seems satisfied with my progress and the direction of my product. I received a confirmation from the NASA Speaker Request group, and they are sending Mr. Raymond Mendoza to speak at my event. Mr. Mark Craig, the former Assistant Administrator for NASA at Washington will have a booth at my event and he is discussing NASA 1.0 through 4.0.


     Next week, I hope to receive more bios so that I can finish my speech and handout. I also need to start publicizing my event. I want to ask some of the more photography-savvy students if they would document the event. I should also speak with some of the Houston Chronicle interns at school to see if they would be willing to cover the event. I also need to find out the meeting schedules of the STEM oriented clubs in order to appeal to them. I also need to make a schedule for the students to ensure that every booth has students listening to their representative.

2/17/14-2/21/14

     This week, I worked on the event. I spoke to Mr. Moss about the event and updated him on my progress. He gave me some tips on how to effectively deal with both the speakers and the students. I was also put into contact with an employee of SAIC, who might also attend the event either as a representative or as a keynote speaker. I have mostly written my speech for the event, excluding the short company bios as I have only received one. Finally, I started work on my new and improved presentation for the final presentation to the judges.

     On Monday the 24th, I have a meeting with Ms. Bullis which I am fairly confident about. The only thing that might be a problem is the fact that my deadline requires the attendance of 10-12 companies, but I only have 7 at the moment. Next week, I will make sure to follow up with all of the companies regarding the bios. With that information, I want to finish the speech and the student handout.

2/10/14-2/14/14

     This week, we finished presentations. Gilbane Building Company, Booz Allen Hamilton and Lockheed Martin confirmed their attendance. I also sent in a request to the NASA Speaker Request site, which forced me to write up an agenda describing the career fair. The site said not to expect a confirmation within 60 days of sending the request, however, they called me the next day wanting to confirm details. That might end up with me getting two speakers, one for the initial speech, and one for the booth.

     Next week, I plan on speaking with Mr. Moss, updating him on the details of my product. I will also stop accepting companies to my event at the end of next week. So far, I have eight companies attending me event, and most of them are well-known. I also want to start advertising the event to students, like the various science and math related clubs.

2/3/14-2/7/14

     This week, presentations continued. I sent out follow ups to the companies that did not reply to the first round of emails. This prompted several more responses. Lockheed Martin agreed to come, and Boeing is trying to find someone to come. Several other smaller companies have agreed to come.

     At the end of next week, I will essentially close my waiting of responses and tally up the amount of companies coming. I will ask them to produce a company and representative biography for the event. I also want to talk to Mr. Moss to follow up my initial conversation with him, getting him up to speed on where I am so far with my product.

1/27/14-1/31/14

     This week, we started presentations. I presented on the 30th, fairly successfully. I have also been receiving and replying to various company emails.


     Next week, I hope to receive more replies to my requests, whether they be positive or negative.

1/20/14-1/24/14

     This week, I sent out almost 60 emails to all of the contractors that work with the Johnson Space Center. Surprisingly, the representative from JES Tech, a consulting firm, already replied and accepted my invitation. This means that I have completed my deadline, and am already on my way to my second deadline.

     I have also begun working on the powerpoint for my presentation, which are due to begin on the 27th.

     Next week, I hope to receive more confirmation emails, or at least emails that a company can't make it. I also need to start advertising the event to students to get it lodged into their personal calendars.

1/13/14-1/17/14

     This week, I started my research on aerospace companies in the Houston and Texas areas. I found a page that lists all of NASA's Johnson Space Center's contractors, which includes contact information and address. On the site is listed approximately 60 different contractors which will allow me to selectively choose between firms. I have already sent emails to Lockheed Martin, a large aerospace R&D company. I have also written a draft letter to either send or email to the various companies.


     Next week, I want to narrow down my selection to approximately 30 companies and contact all of them. I also want to start working on my presentation that I shall give from the 27th of January to the 10th of February.

1/7/14-1/10/14

     This week, Ms. Bullis informed us about the requirements for our product and the amount of work necessary for it to be successful. We spoke on Tuesday, the 7th, and she approved the latest version of my product. I have decided to not contact NASA about their contacts, but rather invite NASA as one of the participating presenters for my product.


     This week, I created a personal deadline calendar for my product, and spoke to Mr. Moss concerning the feasibility of it. He approved the product and a possible date for it. I am hoping to host the event on the last Tuesday of March, with at least 10-12 companies attending and 50+ students attending.


     The first thing on my long list of things to get done is to contact aerospace companies in the Houston area concerning speaking at my event.