Category: Student Stories

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Student Research Spotlight: Female Engineers in Anderson Lab | 3

For engineering students interested in research, there are many opportunities to get involved, both on and off campus! In fact, nearly 25% of engineering students at Grove City College are involved in some type of research or independent study. Many of these students work in ‘Anderson Lab’ with Dr. Anderson, one of Grove City College’s mechanical engineering professors. Every school year, he has 10-15 students doing research  for him for 1-3 credits. He also has students working with him at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) in Massachusetts each summer. This semester, Dr. Anderson has 12 students working in his lab on seven different projects.

Below is an interview with one of the female mechanical engineering students currently doing research with Dr. Anderson.  She shares more information on her research project and some benefits of doing research.  For another interview with a student doing research with Dr. Anderson, check out this post.

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Noll at work in Anderson Lab

Abby Noll – Mechanical Engineering ‘18

What’s your project?

My project is researching the fluid dynamics of biomimetic propulsors and swimming squid. The research involves analyzing sequences of images of objects in a flow tank to determine the behavior of the water over various parts of the object. I have worked with flapping plastic strips (simulating a fish tail) and swimming squid.

What skills (technical or non-technical) have you used the most during your research experience?

Research has strengthened my problem-solving skills. The classes that I have been taking for mechanical engineering have given me a set of tools, and research is where I get to figure out how they all work and actually use them in a practical setting.

What are some benefits of doing research?

Working in the lab has given me a tangible way to apply the things I have been learning in my classes. It helps the material to stick better, and extends it far beyond a classroom setting. It has been a wonderful preparation for future internships and jobs, and I believe that getting this kind of experience early on will open up future opportunities in the research field.

Have you done research off-campus, like at a summer internship?

This past summer, I continued work on the boundary layer project, again analyzing data. I also took some new data at Harvard University.

How has doing research shaped your plans for after graduation?

I can see myself working in an area of research and development, as I have been enjoying work in the lab and would like to continue along a similar path.  I love learning, and research is where new discoveries are made.

To learn more about Grove City College’s Mechanical Engineering program, visit the department page!

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Thinking Made Visual

Grove City College seeks to foster intellectual thought in all aspects of study. Its challenging liberal arts education provides students with unique educational experiences that touch various facets of learning. As our college grows, we are continually pursuing knowledge in new areas and expanding our existing departments.

One such feature that has developed in the recent past is design (within the Communication Studies and the Visual Arts department).

Five years ago, design classes were a mere idea. They are now a reality.

Professor of Design, Nate Mucha, has led the charge to expand the department through introducing a variety of classes at a high learning level. A graduate of the MFA Visual Communication Design program at Kent State University, Nate has brought a vibrant vision for the department and is actively integrating design within the campus community.

“Being image-bearers of God, design is an essential topic of exploration for Christians. There are underlying design principles that govern the universe and the way in which humans understand ideas, each other and creation. Through the study of design, students explore the way these principles interact in the pursuit of creating and sharing thoughtfully and effectively while at the same time understanding more thoroughly the mind of our Creator.” ~Professor Mucha

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He and senior design student Rebekah Fry are working to bring an AIGA student group to campus in order to offer design students a supportive out-of-class atmosphere as they grow in their knowledge and passion for design.

Through a series of comprehensive and well thought-out design classes, students will build foundations for design thinking, gain a solid understanding of essential design principals, expand their knowledge of industry-leading Adobe design software and complete projects that will challenge them in areas such as print material/layout design, web, branding, 3D interactive design, etc. They will master form while learning to collaborate, develop strategy and understand the people for whom they are designing—we call this human-centered design.

The program is an innovative and exciting look at how design integrates with the world around us and is a beautiful application for visual communication.

“A designer is an emerging synthesis of artist, inventor, mechanic, objective economist and evolutionary strategist.” – Buckminster Fuller

We seek to innovate in a beautiful and tangible fashion. It’s exciting, thrilling and present as we look to a future of meaningful visual communication.

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GCC Goes to CPAC

One of the most beautiful things about Grove City College is the myriad of passions that different students have. One particular hobby that many Grove City students seem to share is their love and involvement in politics. This isn’t surprising. The College is built on the foundation of “faith and freedom,” and itself has participated in defiance of government influence through its battle in the Supreme Court of the United States in the 1980s. It is logical then that students here are very zealous in their political beliefs. One way that Grove City students express this passion is through their attendance of the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC. Every spring, Grove City takes a few dozen students to CPAC; this year was no different. I had the chance to ask one of the student organizers of this trip, Brianna Buczkowski, a few questions about this incredible trip. Her answers are below.

What was your involvement in the organization of the Grove City trip to CPAC this year?

“Out of the student fellows [for the Center for Vision and Values] I was asked to be the point person for the trip meaning I led the discussions, created a new system for sign-ups and delegated other responsibilities to the fellows and also worked the closest with Mr. Wishing and Mrs. Vinton on the planning and execution.”

How many students attended CPAC this year? Is this a typical number?

“We had about 44 students attend. Our funding is adequate for us to take a coach bus full of students. Because the Center heavily subsidizes the trip the number of attendees, naturally, has to stay limited.”

Are students able to get out of classes to go to CPAC?

“Unfortunately no, students do not get officially excused from class, but professors are generally very understanding and supportive of students going on this trip.”

What kinds of opportunities to Grove City students have at CPAC?

“CPAC is only one aspect of the trip, which is officially called the D.C. Networking Experience, which is really what it is more so than just CPAC. We plan an alumni mixer event at the Heritage Foundation which is widely attended by alumni in the D.C. area, a breakfast at the Charles Koch Foundation and other think tanks and similar organizations for students to actually go to and network. And of course, we stay right at the Gaylord Convention Center where CPAC takes place so in free time students have direct access to the speeches going on and the exhibit halls and other events happening in conjunction with CPAC.”

Describe one of your favorite experiences at CPAC.

“Sitting in the media section in the back while speakers talked and being able to see people I see on TV! Super cool!”

CPAC is an awesome experience to network and hear speeches by the top conservatives in the U.S. If you get a chance to go, I hope you take it!

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A More Specific and Relevant Education

GCC Offers New Majors and Minors

In a recent press release, Grove City College announced that they are offering new majors and minors in the 2016-2017 academic year.

In the Hopeman School of Science, Engineering, Mathematics, the Department of Biology will be offering three new majors including: Health, Molecular Biology and Conservation Biology. Counting for 10% of the student body, the study of biology attracts numerous prospective students annually. The three distinct majors are a repackaging of courses that already exist but are tailored toward careers in medicine, research and conservation application.

Dr. Jenkins, professor of Biology, states, “As a department we looked where our students were going after college and wanted to highlight certain programs that would better prepare them for graduate school or future occupations.” Out of the current 160 biology students, 10 have made a switch to the three new majors.

The Departments of Computer Science and Communications and Visual Arts are introducing a new minor in Computer Game Design and Development. Students who obtain this minor will be educated on the fundamentals of game design, development and critique. The Computer Science Department in conjunction with the Entrepreneurship Department will also be presenting a minor in High-Tech Entrepreneurship. This minor is geared towards students who have an interest in the technological division of high-tech spaces within companies.

Dr. Birmingham, chair of the Computer Science and Electrical Engineering Departments, proclaims, “Both of these minors are multidisciplinary, allowing students of all majors to use there general elective hours purposefully and accessibly.” According to Birmingham, the departments initially collaborated in November of 2015 and both minors were successfully approved in December.

Under the provision of the Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering, GCC is proud to present a Robotics minor to students interested in hands-on learning as well as practical design and programming. The Robotics minor equates to a capstone project for seniors. Those obtaining this minor will be educated on the integration of robotics in light of an ethical and Christian worldview.

Students also have the opportunity to achieve a minor in Medical Physics. The Physics Department is making a conscious effort to provide students with a minor that correlates with job interest in radiology, nuclear medicine and nuclear engineering.

Dave Tarnish, chemistry major of 2017, states, “The new Medical Chemistry minor helps prepare students who want to pursue the medical field get a more specific and relevant education.”

The Department of Political Science has recently added a Pre-Law minor. According to Dr. Stanton, associate professor of the Political Science Department, the Pre-Law minor will aid students seeking identifiable skills that the American Bar Association requires for those attending law school.

Stanton explains, “The minor involves courses in several departments that develop reasoning and logic skills, communication skills and some basic understanding of the U.S. Constitution, ethics and philosophy of law.” Dr. Caleb Verbois, assistant professor of Political Science, is the new Pre-Law advisor. In order to further assist students pursuing law school, Verbois is in current communication with lawyers of Grove City College’s administration, including President McNulty.

Students can learn more about these wonderful opportunities through flyers and postcards as well as digital marketing outlets including emails, phone calls and the College’s webpage.

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What Exactly is Engineering? – A Student’s Perspective

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Hoyt Hall of Engineering | Photo from www2.gcc.edu

Last weekend, Grove City College hosted its annual Junior Crimson Day, and it made me think back to when I was a junior in high school. I didn’t know where I wanted to go to college or what I wanted to study, but I was beginning to look into engineering. At that point in my college search, I really didn’t know what engineering was or what engineers did.  For me, ‘engineering’ seemed to be a catch-all term for people who were good at physics in high school or liked to tear computers apart in their spare time. I didn’t even know what the difference was between electrical and mechanical engineering! After talking to many students interested in engineering, I’ve come to realize this is a common problem.

Merriam-Webster defines engineering as “the work of designing and creating large structures or new products or systems by using scientific methods.” This definition is extremely vague, and rightly so!  Within engineering, there are many types of engineering – such as mechanical, electrical, chemical or civil – and each type is almost completely different. Then, to make things more complex, there are many different applications within each type of engineering. Each application utilizes different skills and areas of expertise. For example, a mechanical engineering student could go into a career in designing the heating systems for buildings, working on machines in a factory, optimizing a valve in a fluid system or even selling engineering products – and that’s just naming a few possible careers! That’s one of the best parts of engineering. The skills that engineers learn can really be applied to any type of career – technical or non-technical. There have been a lot of students who have used their engineering degree to become doctors, lawyers or businessmen.

Electrical Engineering vs Mechanical Engineering

Grove City offers degrees in electrical engineering (EE) and mechanical engineering (MECE), which are generally considered the ‘core’ types of engineering because they can be applied to almost any career field. So then, what’s the difference between electrical and mechanical engineering, besides the obvious that EE deals with electrical components and MECE deals with mechanical assemblies? Electrical engineering is more abstract and conceptual, whereas mechanical engineering is more visual and hands-on. For instance, a professor from a different school once described the difference in terms of a robot. MECE’s are responsible for designing the body of the robots so it can easily move and function reliably, while EE’s are responsible for making the robot move and controlling its motion. This definition helped me a little bit, but I still didn’t completely understand the difference between EE’s and MECE’s.

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Image from mechengineering.hol.es

I got a little bit more insight when I came to Grove City’s Junior Crimson Day. One of the professors here explained that, in general, electrical engineers are better at abstract concepts and tend to be very good at math (like perfect scores on the math section of the SAT’s). Mechanical engineers are also good at math, but like to be able to visualize problems and have probably grown up playing with LEGO’s and K’NEX.  This explanation really helped me because I personally like to be able to visualize the forces being exerted on an object, but it’s frustrating to not be able to see what’s happening inside of a circuit or wire.  Obviously, these are just generalizations about each type of engineering, but I have found that in many cases, they are true.

The main thing that influenced my decision to pick engineering was sitting in on both EE and MECE classes. It took me sitting in on one EE class to realize that it was not for me! I recommend sophomore level classes because they give a general picture of what to expect, without being completely over your head. I didn’t fully understand what was being taught in the MECE class, but I could understand the logic behind it and I identified with that way of thinking. If you’re torn between electrical and mechanical engineering, I highly recommend sitting in on some classes and talking with professors.  Both are extremely helpful!

So What Exactly is Engineering?

With all of the different applications for engineering, what is the common denominator for engineering?  I would argue, and most engineers would agree, that engineering is all about creative problem solving.  In engineering classes, you learn how to think critically about problems and numerically develop different solutions to fix the problem. Engineering is all about weighing the options and optimizing the current resources for the best result. The problem and subsequent solution can take many different forms, but it all comes down to using problem solving skills to find creative solutions.

If you like math or science and love solving complex problems or puzzles, engineering may be a good fit for you! Engineering requires both detailed and out-of-the-box thinking to come up with the best solution for a problem. There are so many different things you can do with an electrical or mechanical engineering degree! I highly recommend talking with professors and learning about student projects to get a better idea of engineering.

Check out this link to learn more about Grove City College’s electrical engineering program or check out this link to learn more about Grove City College’s mechanical engineering program.

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4 Quick and Easy Dorm Room Recipes

While the cafeterias at Grove City College are great, they have limited hours, just like any cafeteria. When you’re hungry in your dorm room and need a little pick me up, it’s great to be able to whip up something quick right in your room. There are many delicious and easy recipes that only require a few ingredients and a microwave or refrigerator. Here are four awesome recipes!

microwave-coffee-cup-scramble-930x5501. Eggs in a Mug:

Ingredients: 2 eggs, 2 tbsp. milk, 2 tbsp. cheese (optional)

Directions:

  1. Crack eggs into mug
  2. Add milk and stir until blended
  3. Microwave on high for 1/2 -2 minutes
  4. Top with cheese if desired

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2. No-Bake Energy Bites:

Ingredients: 1 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips, 1/2 flax seed, 1/2 cup peanut butter, 1/2 cup honey

Directions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl
  2. Form balls using hands
  3. Arrange them on a tray and refrigerate until firm

*Makes 24 servings

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3. Rice Krispy Treat:

Ingredients: 1/2 tbsp. butter, 4 large marshmallows or 1/2 cup mini marshmallows, 1 cup Rice Krispies cereal

Directions:

  1. Microwave butter on high until melted
  2. Add marshmallows and microwave for 20 seconds
  3. Stir in cereal until blended

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4. Chocolate-Peanut Butter Granola Apple Bites:

Ingredients: 2 sliced apples, 1/4 cup peanut butter, 1/4 cup granola, 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

  1. Coat tops of apples with peanut butter and sprinkle with granola
  2. Microwave chocolate chips, stirring every 30 seconds until melted
  3. Drizzle slices with chocolate

Hungry for more? Check out these quick and easy dorm room friendly recipes.

 

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The Best Job at Grove City College

Most college students want a job for one simple reason: money. That elusive green stuff is a must-have when you’re stuck between the demands of tuition, car and for-fun expenses.

But while you’re making money, you may as well have a good time at it. And it wouldn’t be bad to learn a thing or two along the way. That’s where I come in.

I’m here to tell you about the best job on campus. No matter your major, personality or skill set, this job will make you a better person, provide a little fun, and, yes, give you some money along the way. I’ve seen it benefit dozens of students that I know here at Grove City College.

This job is the Resident Assistant position.

Resident Assistants (RAs) are often thought of as caretakers of a set of students’ living situations. But at GCC there is so much more to this job:

You get paid to have a good time.

RA Hall Community

The entire goal of being an RA is to build community on a residence hall. For me, that has involved planning times to go hiking, see movies and hang out together. I’ve turned my room into a place for late-night conversations and group games and turned a lot of the excursions and adventures that I would have done anyway into official programs for the hall. In short, I’ve been doing my job by simply having fun.

Leadership training.

It’s true, being an RA is not all fun and games. You have to know how to deal with people at their best and at their worst. But this is a good thing in disguise. See, down the road, you’re probably going to have to deal with a squabbling family, neighbors, coworkers, relatives and the like. The Resident Directors make sure to train each RA with the skills necessary to work through conflict and to influence in a positive way.

Great community.

Hicks RA Residence Life Retreat

I work with a fantastic team. Getting to know these guys, share ideas with them, and go on retreats together has been the best part of the job.

You may not think you’re the type, but with the training and support provided, I’m certain the RA position will be one of the best things that has happened to you at college.

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A Look at COMM 359, Screenwriting

Paper and Pencil resized

This semester I’ve had the chance to take a Communications elective course, COMM 359, Screenwriting. I’ve always had a love for writing, so I thought Screenwriting would be an enjoyable class. A friend of mine had taken it senior year and recommended it to me, so I was persuaded to sign up for it.

The course is taught by Communications professor, Dr. Kim Miller, and it serves as an introduction to the art of screenwriting. It covers topics such as character development, plot structure and storytelling techniques. It’s a great 3 credit course offered only during the spring semester that teaches students to recognize the basic elements of screenplays and gives students a chance to draft their very own screenplay.

The class is a nice mixture of lectures and group work, as well as independent in class and out of class work. Over the course of the semester we’ve worked on smaller assignments like writing short scenes using prompts given in class. We’ve also been working on our own screenplays which will be due at the end of the semester. There have been workshop days where we read each other’s stories in assigned groups, critiquing them and offering advice to each other. We’ve also watched movie clips in class and movies out of class as homework assignments, discussing various elements in these films.

Going into the course I had very little experience with screenwriting, so it has been both challenging and fun to experiment with this unique style of writing. It’s tempting to write a screenplay like a novel, telling about character’s thoughts and feelings, rather than relying on dialogue and actions to show those thoughts and feelings. The class has definitely stretched me since it requires a type of writing that I’ve never really done before.

Nonetheless, I’m learning the ins and outs of screenwriting, and it’s fascinating. I’ve gained a deeper understanding of all that goes into writing a movie and what elements work well and don’t work so well. I find myself watching movies with a more critical eye now, paying close attention to dialogue and character development.

Overall, Screenwriting has been a great outlet for creativity, especially amidst traditional classes. There aren’t too many classes where you’re assigned to watch a movie for homework. Screenwriting is a fun, relaxed class with lots of freedom for creativity, and it’s perfect for anyone interested in writing, movies or someone simply wanting to fill their schedule with a unique elective.

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Dance Changed Her Life

Swing Dancing

Grove City College’s ballroom and swing dance clubs are known as a whirling good time. But for Gretchen Stockschlaeder, a business management student and swimmer, these clubs have been life-changing. In her own words, “learning to dance is powerful and I am truly a better person because I learned to dance.”

In her personal blog post on the subject, Gretchen described several things that dancing at Grove City has done for her. The following are drawn from some of those.

Dancing can boost the confidence of girls and guys alike.

For a girl, whirling around a room feels beautiful and romantic. And for a guy, a few steps on the dance floor will make him feel like a proper gentleman, perhaps even a gentleman from the 1700’s.

Dance groups are a source of joy.

It’s a place to meet new friends, learn new things and trip over your own feet. College has enough homework and stress to make a joyful time like this really valuable.

It’s an excuse to dress up.

Because who doesn’t want to wear a fancy dress or a suit coat?

It’s good practice and rather addictive.

When weddings and other formal events come around, being able to pull out some classy moves on the dance floor is a coveted skill. I’d rather be that guy than not be that guy.

From Gretchen’s story, it’s clear that she has become completely enthralled with dancing. Even though swimming and schoolwork leaves her exhausted at the end of some days, she chooses to go dancing because it’s just a part of her life.

Visit Gretchen’s blog to get the full story of How Dancing Changed My Life.

Learn more about Grove City’s Swing Dance Club in this great post.

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Eating Healthy at Grove City College

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Photo from whatshappening.com

Eating healthy is an extremely important part of living well. Being in college can often bring about negative eating habits, causing students to gain weight such as the “freshman fifteen.” Factors such as stress and lack of time or money to make or buy healthy foods can all add to these bad eating habits.

At Grove City College, however, eating healthy is definitely possible, particularly in the cafeterias. While unhealthy options like pizza and ice cream do exist, plenty of healthy foods exist, as well. It’s just a matter of making healthy eating a priority and intentionally seeking out foods that your body will thank you for consuming.

For one, salads are always a good choice. The salad bars in both Hicks and MAP cafeterias offer many options including different types of greens like mixed greens and spinach, as well as many vegetables, cheeses, beans and several dressing options including fat free ones. Simply adding balsamic and vinegar to a salad makes for a very healthy topper.

Whole wheat breads are another great option. Swapping them out for white bread is beneficial since whole grains generally contain more nutrients in them like fiber. Both cafeterias carry whole wheat as well as whole grain breads.

Peanut-Butter-Rice-Cake
Photo from Fodmaplife.com

One of my favorite healthy combinations is rice cakes with peanut butter. This is a low calorie, nutritious option that offers protein and tastiness. Rice cakes can be found in the gluten-free sections of both cafeterias, and there are often different flavors such as Honey or Apply Cinnamon. Throw some banana slices on top and it’s even better.

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Photo from Rothwellmma.com

Another healthy combination is hummus with vegetables. The different hummus options like garlic or red pepper add a nice flavor to raw veggies, making them more enjoyable to eat, while also remaining healthy. There are a plethora of veggie options like carrots, peppers, broccoli, celery and others.

Lastly, there are different milk options that make healthy eating easier. 1%, skim and even Almond and Soy Milk are all available. They have a lower fat content while still remaining tasty.

Healthy eating is not always easy, but making wise food decisions definitely pays off in the long run. Grove City provides the nutritious and delicious options to make that healthy eating possible, which is something I’m personally thankful for as I strive to live healthfully.