22
March
2010
March
2010
Today1
My internship with Bradford Woods internship got canceled again today due to rain. I helped the freshmen with the Genocide memorial and worked on my blog. I also reviewed Pre-Cal.
22
March
2010
March
2010
Fieldwork with Brent and Bill1
My trip to the airport was to explore everything that Wessler has contributed to. In the winter, aircrafts are de-iced. The de-icer has chemicals present that can be harmful to the environment. The chemicals often get in runoff and make their way to streams. In short terms, Wessler created a fix for this problem. The runoff goes to bascially a detention pond; the water then goes through a pump to be cleaned. The airport can only give so much of this to the city for the treatment plant. Most of the runoff comes from the winter since that is when the planes are de-iced. The ponds hold the water so that the airport can keep some of it to give during the summer instead of getting rid of it. The pond holds 43 million gallons. The pump can clean up to 3,000 gallons per minute. It cleans the water by spinning it, which makes the solids sink. One new requirement by law is that the water given must have 80% of the solids removed before being sent to the sewage plant. This is the short/simplified version of what I learned. Hope my attempt to explain it makes more sense.
17
March
2010
March
2010
Day with Eric1
The main focuses of Eric’s job are: sewer construction, design, and rehabilitation. We visited two projects; one was new sewer design and the other was rehabilitation. The sewer system under Indianapolis is deteriorating. In order to tear down the old pipes and put in new ones, most all of the streets would be closed. This is a problem. So instead of tearing up the streets, they are using a new material. This material is cured in place pipe. The workers go in and put this material inside of the tunnels. It is a felt tube which acts as a sock on the lining of the old tube. The material is ten glued in and turns into a hard material acting as a host pipe. The existing one acts as bedding or back fill for the new pipe. This prevents a lot of construction and saves money. Althought the new material reduces the diameter of the pipe, it actually holds 25% more water. I also learned about treatment plants, sewage and septic tanks, interceptors, man holes, eazement, bipass pumping operation, secondary sewers, PDFE, host pipes, bedding, cost, and paint on construction sites. It is all a lot to take in but I found everything interesting and water treatment seems like a good field for me in environmental engineering so far.
17
March
2010
March
2010
Wessler Engineering1
I got my own cubical and copies of different projects that the company has done. I am supposed to review and familiarize myself with them. One of the projects is one that I will be visiting Thursday of stormwater and runoff management at the Indianapolis Airport. One thing I learned from some material is that an environmental report must be done when a project is done on tax payer’s money. I read one of these reports. The company must present taht wetlands, plants, and animals are not harmed.
5
March
2010
March
2010
My New Internship2
Today I spoke with Mary Atkins. She works at Wessler Engineering as an environmental engineer; this is my future profession. Environmental Engineering is divided there into two aspects. One aspect is was water treatment and the other is regulations. Mary works with regulations with the Indiana Department of Regulations and EPA on a federal level. She spoke with a co-worker of hers named Eric; he works with the water treatment aspect dealing with sewage and sanitation. There is also a former IU graduate who went to IUPUI for environmental science, which is what I am doing. I will work with her as well so that I can get a good feel of what I want to do specifically as my future career. I can narrow my search and also decide if I am definately more interested in environmental engineering or environmental science. The drive is shorter than Bradford Woods and I will be interning with them Tuesdays and Thursdays during the day. This internship will start soon.
5
March
2010
March
2010
More From This Week2
I have got a lot accomplished this week. I’ve had yoga in the morning; that was tough. I have had issues getting a book for Government. Brian is gone today so I can’t talk to him about that yet. I have done Pre-Cal online because of istep testing; this was also very difficult. I sent Shane (from Bradford Woods) a copy of the graph I made and fixed. Some of it did not show up on his computer. I printed it off and it showed up, so I will probably fax it to him for his apporoval before I make all of the copies. I also made test corrections for Government. My biggest news of all this week is that I got another internship. I will make another post about it.
4
March
2010
March
2010
More2
I had to return my books to the Mooresville library even though I did not finish them. I had to use a friend’s library card because mine is not working. I will have to ask around for some other books or use my friend’s library card again. I also need to get a utopian novel for Government. I made a new fact sheet for Bradford Woods today. After sending a few to Shane, we decided that we need a new one that combines the two. I made one and sent it to him so he can decided if it’s good enough. Once he approves of one, I will make the copies and finish the work. I have also thought of possibilities for my final product. My target audience will still be first grade. I also have a couple ideas for the story.
2
March
2010
March
2010
Bradford Woods0
Yesterday, I met with Shane Gibson at Bradford Woods. The drive took a lot of gas, which may be an issue. I brought all the information I found on bluebird box monitoring. At Bradford Woods, they are working on staff training right now. With their hectic schedule, Shane told me that I would not be able to come intern next week. He did, however, give me some tasks to do until I meet with him on March 15th. I will be interning every Monday. We went over all of what I will be doing and what I need to have ready by the next time I meet with him. I have to send him different sheets for collecting data so that we can decide on one. I must then make 33 copies of it for each different bird box. I must also print off the different types of nests and how to identify them of different species. I have to get a binder together including these things by the next March 15th.
25
February
2010
February
2010
Today1
I spoke with the man from Bradford Woods. He reassured me that the internship is still going to happen. He thanked me for my persistence and wants to meet with me. We are working 0ut a time Monday that I can come speak with him. I printed a lot of information about bluebird box watching to get a better understanding of what I am expected to do. Preserving wildlife environment is something I would be greatly interested in. I have also looked into another internship with a man that is a chemical and environmental engineer. He wants a more specific field in environmental engineering that I would be interested in. I also have yoga today.
24
February
2010
February
2010
Today0
Today I had my Government test over the two books we read. The books were “The Giver” and “Anthem”. The test was mostly over understanding the books and being able to compare the societies, as well as the types of government in place. We have new project coming up in class. Brian has also extended our date to find our Eutopian novel. I have started to look up some today online so I will have one chosen to read. I have not decided on one yet. I also e-mailed the man from Bradford Woods to check up on my internship since it is starting Monday. I’m worried because I do not have many details on the work I am to be doing there. I am now getting ready to go to Pre-Cal.
23
February
2010
February
2010
Update0
I keep losing my posts so I am going to try and update everything I think is missing. I am definately starting the internship at Bradford Woods soon, which is exciting. I went to the Capitol Building yesterday for Government class. This is also called the Indiana Statehouse. This was probably one of the best experiences I have had for outward bound. I have a test coming up for Government over the two books we read. We also have homework over the books. I also have Pre-Cal homework which I am almost finished with today. I have taken some notes over one of my environmental books. Everything should start falling into place now.
18
February
2010
February
2010
More Work0
I have looked into more dates to take the SAT and ACT. I will be taking both again once I have the money. I have no new e-mails from Bradford Woods or Purdue, but my internships are coming up very soon. I finished reading “The Giver” for government and we started a new book called “Anthem”. I just finished reading it and taking notes over it. It took all day because I am such a slow reader. I also did more Pre-Cal homework. Tomorrow I plan on starting outlines for my book reviews over “The Giver” and “Anthem”. I will write one on “What you can do for the Environment” and “Earth Day” once I read them. I also have yoga today.
12
February
2010
February
2010
Update1
I have been trying to work out a date and parking with the professor from Purdue. We are also trying to figure out where her class is going on certain days because I might need to go on a day that her students are in the classroom. I got two books to read for my English credit and to start getting ideas about my final product. One of the books I checked out is more of a childrens book so that I can get examples and figure out the reading level of it. After my trip to the library, I have reconsidered my target audience for my childrens book. The other book I got was a book about many different aspects and issues with the environment. I have also had reading assignments for Government. Pre-Cal has taken a lot of studying; there are many formulas that I am required to memorize. There are also previous formulas that I need to memorize in order to help me understand our new work. For yoga, we went to NIFS at IUPUI on Monday. It was a great experience and I am learning a lot from yoga. I feel like I can tell a difference and that I am getting better when we do the same poses.
5
February
2010
February
2010
Update on Internships5
I am for sure working with Bradford Woods starting March 1st. After talking to Jenna Rickus (a professor at Purdue), I am going to be sitting in on her class or going with them to other places on some Mondays. She teaches ABE495 (Agricultural and Biological Engineering), which is a freshman course. The class meets at 11:30 am and was suggested to my by another professor whom I spoke with.
3
February
2010
February
2010
Chan2
Chan Namburi, from Purdue, has contacted me. She spoke with someone from admissions to verify that it would be alright for me to sit in on a class of hers once a week. We are working something out so that hopefully Monday I can sit in on her class. (: I’m glad that the hard work is starting to pay off. I also have Government and Pre-Cal today.
1
February
2010
February
2010
Today1
Today I got an email from someone named Shane with Bradford Woods. He has become very helpful. Today we discussed an internship; he says that I could do blue bird box monitoring. This will start March 1st and he said we could find more things for me to do. I also emailed Chan Namburi from Purdue about sitting in on her class once a week at least. I also plan on contacting nearby trash companies. They often have good recycling programs such as the ones with Waste Management.
27
January
2010
January
2010
Today & Yesterday3
I feel like I have not blogged about allllllllll the people I have contacted in my efforts to get an internship. I am continually contacting people and being let down. The man I talked to with Wast Management seems certain that I will get an internship. He has not emailed me back yet, and I am only hoping that he does not let me down like the other people have. If I do not hear from him this week, I will make a trip up to Waste Management on Monday since I do not have a class. Last night I got my own yoga mat for class. I also finished my Pre-Cal homework. Today I had Government and our homework assignment is to write about our ideal society and include “ism”s. I have started on this and have Pre Cal in less thn an hour; I’m sure we will have homework. I also got my Spanish grade put on my transcript since there was a miscommunication with that. I also reminded Brian about my letter of recomendation. (:
25
January
2010
January
2010
Today’s Work0
So far today I have contacted Greg Gibson with Bradford Woods. We are working out a time that we can meet to discuss an internship. He says that I might not be able to lead groups, but that we can certaintly work something out. I will bring my application with me to meet with him. All this hard work and frustration might finally pay off. I am also looking into sitting in on an Environmental Engineering class once a week at Purdue. I am contacting Chan Namburi, a student whom I shadowed during a trip to Purdue. She was very helpful last time and willing to do anything to help me understand Purdue and the field of study in which I am interested.
21
January
2010
January
2010
A Couple Days Worth0
So far this week has been very busy, however, I lost my password and had difficulty retreiving it. Monday was MLK day and I did not have school or much work to do besides studying my Pre-Cal. I have continued work on my zoo application for an internship. I got a copy of my transcript and the application is complete. I am only waiting on letters of recommendation. I have one letter so far but am required to have at least one more. I also had Pre-Cal and Government class as well as homework. I have been working on both and making sureI know the material and getting help when I need it. I also started a new application with Bradford Woods. I had tried contacting them before and did not have much luck until I found the application. It is very lenthy but looks like the perfect opportunity for my future career. This application could take longer because it requires a lot of medical information of which i do not have complete access to.
14
January
2010
January
2010
Today0
Today I had problems connecting to the school’s internet. I went to the Plainfield Library and also had some problems there. I did, however, try to download a program in order to fill out the zoo application. I also contacted a woman whom is confident in helping me find an internship with Waste Management in Indianapolis. I also studied Pre-Calculus, did the homework, and joined the yoga class at school.
13
January
2010
January
2010
Today’s Work2
Today I attended Government and got caught up on my missed work following the homework I did the night before. We watched a video which was bias toward capitalism and discussed it. I also got frustrated that my laptop cannot pick up the school’s internet. I will be attending Pre-Calculus in ten minutes which includes getting my make up work from when I was sick. Tonight, I will get caught up on all of my class work.
13
January
2010
January
2010
Zoo Experience0
After looking into several internships with the Indianapolis Zoo, I decided to attempt an internship with one of their programs. Yesterday was the start of my effort in doing so. I repeatedly called the zoo; following this, I left a voicemail in hopes for a returned phone call. Following my voicemail and some time, I decided to take a trip to the zoo. I spoke with a woman whom was not very helpful. I explained my situation and goals to the woman and she told me to fill out an application online. Later that night, I received a phone call from another woman who explained the application to me. There are many parts to it including: the application, two letters of recommendation, and other parts.
