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Haha…very interesting title I know. Well, you have been introduced to the Crespo-Bosque twins so I only see it’s fit to put up a post introducing myself…the third new blogger, Christina Johnson. (The video posting just doesn’t seem to be working out for us new kids…) I’m also a freshman here at the wonderful Institute. I’ve traveled across the country from my home in Los Angeles, California (Rancho Palos Verdes to be exact) to attend MIT and so far, it’s definitely been worth it. Let’s see…I plan on majoring in Course 6-1 (Electrical Engineering) with a minor in either 14 (Economics) or 15 (Management). My job for this site is to tell you all about what MIT has to offer beyond engineering, from urban planning to architecture to literature. Plus, aren’t you interested to see what we do around here for fun? We have hundreds of clubs and various organizations to fit all of your hobbies, however unique they might be. Look forward to hearing exciting things from me!

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Hello!  My name is Pablo Crespo and I am one of the bloggers for the Beyond Engineering section of MIT Insite (not Biological Engineering Rafa…)!  I did a video intro (which I am having trouble posting into the page) so I will not write a lot about myself here.  I just wanted to let you know that I will be showing you all the other side of MIT.  I will show you that even though MIT is famous for its academic programs, there is a LOT of fun and cool things to do here!  I will try to go on little “field trips” and record events and activities that all students in MIT can enjoy.  Questions?  Suggestions?  Just post a comment!

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What’s up guys? My name is Rafael and from now on I am going to be the second Electrical Engineering and Computer Science blogger. I am trying to upload an introduction video but, as of right now, I don’t know how to upload them into the website… I am originally from Puerto Rico. I have a twin brother who is currently the Biological Engineering blogger and an older sister who is a junior at MIT. I am a fun guy and I’m going to try to make this blog as fun and entertaining as possible! Any suggestions or comments about my posts please write them here so that I can make this blog as fun and interactive as I can!

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Everyone has preconceptions about what school is like and what tests and finals are supposed to be, but in some classes (not just here, but at other schools too), the tests can be more interesting than you;d expect.

At Northern Illinois University, one class’s final was to design a car in a program and race it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYGwaI-haOM

The video starts off slow.. so after like the first minute, they talk about the car and the program instead of random equations.

-Michael Fraser

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I’m sure many of you have heard of solar energy and solar cars. In this day and age, energy consumption has sky rocketed and people are trying to find an alternative source.

The American Solar Challenge tries to promote solar technology while giving students across the nation a chance to experience it first hand. Many colleges compete in the competition where a team builds and races a car 2400 miles across the country. The race is scheduled for June and July of this year.

American Solar Challenge Link

Every school that is competing is linked in the site. MIT’s car can be found at this address.

If any of you are at all interested, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory holds junior solar competitions. Their website has links showing how to build a car (a small one; not one big enough to get in and drive), but check it out.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory

The link showing you how to build a car is near the bottom of the page in a powerpoint download on the link right above.

The materials they use are listed below, so if interested, I would try check a hardware store, hobby shop or anywhere else you think they sell solar panels, gears and what not….
1 Pitsco Ray Catcher Solar Panel (2.76V, 1, 100 mA)
1 White Sheet of Plastic Coated Paper
2 Balsa Sheets (10-1/2”x4”x3/16”)
2 Alligator Clips
2 Pitsco GTF Wheels
2 Pitsco GTR Wheels
1 Straw
1 No. 280 Motor
4 Nylon Spacers
2 Plastic Delrin Axles
1 Plastic Gear Font
4 Rubberbands (2 No. 14 Rubber Bands and 2 Wide Rubber Bands)

Good Luck!

-Michael Fraser

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Hey you guys it’s Brenda again!

So I just found out about this cool research going on at MIT and wanted to let you guys know. The lead researcher is John M. Essigmann, a member of the MIT faculty and my house master, which means he is in charge of the dorm I live in. His research has to do with how cells respond when DNA is damaged. For now, here is the link to his page where you can find more information on this topic, but stay tuned because I am going to try and interview him about his research.

http://web.mit.edu/be/people/essigmann.htm

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At this point, I suspect a lot of you guys may be wondering about what you need to know to become a chemical engineer? I mean chemical engineers have to know a lot of information if they can do such a wide variety of things from making household products to making medicines and even food. Where do they start?
Well, as the name implies, chemical engineers have good backgrounds in chemistry. The chemistry that you learn in middle school or high school is the basis for more complex subjects like thermodynamics, organic chemistry and fluid mechanics. Organic chemistry focuses on the structures of many molecules. Thermodynamics and fluid mechanics teach you about the way temperature and other factors affect chemicals and materials as which is an important factor in developing things that will humans will use. Chemical engineers have to think about many things we take for granted, like what will happen to chemicals inside the stomach where there are many natural acids that digest food, or what will happen in the blood stream where there are sensitive molecules that are essential to the body.
So, how well do you guys know the basics? Are you familiar with the periodic table? Chemical engineers have to know all about the properties of the elements found in the periodic table. Really, elements are the building blocks of the molecules that chemical engineers deal with. Here’s a game of hangman to test your knowledge on the periodic table elements.
education.jlab.org/elementhangman/index.html

If you’re interested in chemistry, this website has some cool games and information related to chemistry.
www.creative-chemistry.org.uk

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