Friday, July 27, 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Poster Day!
Today has been a productive day; I have printed my poster
and organization the information I wanted to include in my presentation this
Friday.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
REU Research Paper
Tragan Knight
Air Dispersion Modeling Research Project Reflect
Paper
University of Texas at Arlington Research Experience
Undergraduate Internship 2012
July 27, 2012
What is engineering?
What are the components of ethics engineering? As a society, how can
engineering be improved? Here are a few of many questions that were asked on
the first day of orientation at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) in
the latest gold star engineering building by Dr. Yazdani, who is the Department
Head of Civil Engineering at UTA. Each question was thoroughly answered by a
series of lectures from several professors of various backgrounds. As the first
day of orientation progressed, I began to feel more certain that engineering is
the field I want to pursue. In addition to receiving a solid foundation on
engineering and engineering ethics, we all were briefed on our individual
projects. My research topic this summer
was Air Dispersion Modeling; it was under the leadership of Dr. Melanie
Sattler, Dr. Yvette Weatherton, and Ph.D. student Roja Haritha Gangupomu. The
research focused on potential radiological scenarios using Air Dispersion
Modeling Software called Hospot.2.07.2. The purposes of this study were to
model potential radiological dispersion scenarios, evaluate selected
radioisotopes behaviors under a variety of meteorological conditions and
compare atmospheric stability classes. In the process, I learned more than I
could have ever imagined. For example, in the research process I acquired more
knowledge on researching techniques and creating a scientific poster.
This experience at the
University of Texas at Arlington was very similar to some of my other research
opportunities. Last year, I participated in the Big Thicket Summer Research Institute
were I studied the behaviors of Beetle Larvae on Myxomycetes using light and
scanning electron microscopy. We were required to read background information the
topic, compose a research paper, create a scientific poster and present our
findings. In contrast to the Big Thicket
Summer Research Institute, in this program we were asked to a create website
containing our research information. I felt accomplished when I created www.tjkreu.blogspot.com
because this was something totally new
as well as exciting.
The program was
actually what the brochure stated along with previous student comments. I found
that you can learn tons of information within 6 weeks you can build
professional relationship with and created long lasting friendships. Overall, the
REU program influenced my decision on attending the University of Texas at
Arlington in the fall of 2012 to study Civil Engineering with a concentration
on Environmental Engineering. I know what I learned this summer will give me a
head start for my upcoming years at UTA.
This summer I learned that field of Environmental Engineering
or Engineering in general has no gender or ethnicity group associate to it. Whether
an individual is a male or female, Caucasian or African American like me, if
engineering is your passion, turn your passion into prosperity by pursuing your
desired goal. I also learned the opportunity for minorities are limitless.
Being in the REU program has taught me that if you apply yourself that the impossible
can be possible.
All in all, my
experience here at UTA was GREAT! I really enjoyed learning and seeing myself
grow as student and individual. I managed to gain skills and techniques that can
be applied towards my undergraduate studies and eventually my graduate studies.
Not only have this program inspired me to pursue a graduate degree but become
Dr. Tragan Knight one day in the field of Environmental Engineering. I feel
prepared and equipped with the tools to start building that path of success
towards my graduate degrees. Next summer I looked forward to continue building
on the foundation of what I have learned this summer from the REU program. I
believe with dedication, perseverance and time anything is possible and it was
proven this summer with my research on Air Dispersion Modeling.
Holcim Tour
Today I toured Holcim production plant. I seen the process
of cement making. It was very interested.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Hard Work!
Today has been a successful day I must say I was able to
complete my poster on Air Dispersion Modeling I am very pleased on how it
turned out. Now time to work on my reflection paper and presentation. Here is the finish product on the research conducted this summer.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Friday, July 20, 2012
Public Speaking...
Today
was a successful day! I was able to complete my scientific poster on Air
Dispersion Modeling and begin my reflection paper on the REU program at University
of Texas at Arlington. In addition to completing the poster, my partner, Nathaniel
Tidwell and I received a brief lecture from Dr. Sattler on public speaking. She
provide us with 10 simple rules and the follow as; know your material, practice
your material, know the audience, know the room, remain calm, capitalize the speech,
stay focus, gain knowledge, avoid nervousness and concentrate. I believe the
tools given by Dr. Sattler today will be very useful in the upcoming days for
Nathaniel and I.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Learning Is Fun!!!
My research of Air Dispersion Modeling has been going
wonderful. I have had the opportunity to learn new software material related to
the field of my study. On Tuesday I had the opportunity to bond and connect
with my fellow REU interns because Dr. Yazdani reserved the University of Texas
at Arlington Billiards and Game Room for us. We had a Blast! I have learned engineering is beyond a measurement or calculation. Engineering is taking the experience
and knowledge that you have gain as an individual to make something or someone
else better, that’s true engineering.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Cowboys Stadium
Yesterday was interesting I was able to see Engineering at its
best at the Cowboys Stadium. We as REU Summer interns at University of Texas at
Arlington were led by a tour guide by the name of Marcus Barnet who gave us
rich history about Jerry Jones (Cowboys’ Owner) and the Cowboys organization.
The facility features were amazingly jaw dropping. I never seen a place what so
much thought in its development.
Friday, July 6, 2012
Dr. Tragan Knight
Today we had a
lecture on graduate studies and research beyond a four year program or bachelor’s
degree. I was informed that it is imperative to further your education after receiving
your Bachelor degree because it provides more career opportunities as well as
increase your knowledge in your desired subject. I also learned that are many different
avenues to funding this incredibly expensive cost such as sponsorship and apprenticeships.
After this lecture and round table discussion with current graduate students it
allowed to me see that I want to further my education in Material Science and a
PhD in Environmental Engineering.
Dr. Tragan Knight
Monday, July 2, 2012
Research Underway
Today I gathered and organized the parameters that will be
used in a case study using the software HotSpot.
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