The past 3 semesters of the Science and Global Change program has introduced me to many new aspects of climate change, technology, and scientific practice. SGC has allowed me to recognize the reasoning behind general practices’ in some of my classes, as well as opened my eyes to many emerging fields of science where I can apply my major.
SGC has helped me recognize the use of the hypothetico-deductive method in the making of the labs in my lab classes. The clearest display of this is in my PHYS261 lab, where we conduct experiments on topics from PHYS260, such as centripetal motion and the ideal gas law. One distinct use of the hypothetico-deductive method was in our experiment on the ideal gas law. Examining the law, we concluded that if the temperature and amount of an ideal gas is kept constant, then pressure multiplied by volume is kept constant. We stated this in a (falsifiable) hypothesis that PV would remain constant given that the temperature and amount of gas is kept constant, and then tested that with a pressure sensor and variable volume container. When uncertainty in measurement was accounted for we concluded that PV was indeed constant, which leads us to Boyle’s law. Now in this case the proper method was generally fed to us through the lab directions, so while I would have been properly prepared regardless of SGC it did give me some background into why the given method was chosen.
More recently, this semester's colloquiums on green energy technology has opened my eyes to room for innovation in green energy capture and distribution. Before this semester I was aware of basic green energy capture systems, such as solar and wind. These subjects are both already well established and developed, and although there is room for improvement they are not very exciting to me. But, through our recent colloquiums and watching the Search for Solutions Projects, I have been introduced to exciting new technologies and concepts, such as smart grids, concentrated solar, solar power satellites, and artificial photosynthesis. These topics are new and exciting, and open up huge possibilities for innovation in electrical engineering. With most of the current, eye catching innovation being done in communications and the defense industries, it is great to be exposed to other options in relatively undeveloped subjects that would have a positive impact on the environment.
Overall, SGC has sparked an interest in the general pursuit of scientific knowledge. Being an engineer, I am drawn to the actual devices we use to collect this information. As I researched it further I realized that there is tons being done in the fields of optics and signal processing to develop scientific instrumentation. For example, for this semester’s excursion report I watched a colloquium on using coherent receivers to very accurately capture planets in infrared. With this they should be able to more accurately characterize the composition of different planets’ atmospheres. Nearly all of the technology in this concept was optics and signal processing, two of the most interesting and challenging fields in electrical engineering. Personally, through my exposure in ENEE222 I have become very interested in signal processing so it was great to see some global change related applications. Another place doing similar work, which, coincidentally, I hoped to do my practicum at (but couldn’t due to covid), is the NIH’s National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering. Through SGC, I have found many exciting fields where I could apply my major in a positive way.
What I have gained from College Park Scholars extends beyond academic and career related developments to the social aspect of being a part of a living and learning program. Being in an environment with like minded individuals who, aside from having similar environmental opinions, were also interested in science and the pursuit of knowledge. This along with being in close proximity during the first year has led me to many of my friendships. Today, these connections continue to help me academically (both in and out of CPSG) and of course socially.