2018 GA Participants in GASSSS Program
These participants have submitted a final GASSSS application.
If your name is not on this list and you have participated in the GASSSS program, please contact Larry Woolf at Lawrence.Woolf@ga-asi.com
| GA GASSSS Participant | Company | School | Materials Purchased | Activity |
| John Chupp | GA-ASI/AS | Crest Elementary, El Cajon, CA | Sets of electric motors (3-9Volt DC) and 9 Volt Solar cells plus Lego parts (wheels, axles, and gears) to make 7 different Solar Powered Lego cars. | Made a presentation on the sun and how important it is; multiple sources of other types of energy, short brief on simple electrical circuits and how a motor works. Then broke into 7 teams to build a solar car and race it outside against other teams. |
| Becky Royal | GA-ASI | Patrick Henry High School Patribots Robotics Club, San Diego CA | Support the Patribots participation in the FIRST Robotics Competition. Purchased equipment to organize the robotics pit. | Met with Robotics Student Program Management team to assist with project task definition and provide assistance on use of Microsoft Project as a scheduling tool. Mentoring activity will be ongoing in Program Management to support Patribots 4738 participation in the FIRST Robotics Competition |
| Chau Nguyen | GA-ASI | Harriet Tubman Charter, San Diego CA | (3) Magnetic Blocks with Wheels, Magnetic Building Set, Magnetic Tiles (2) Gravity Maze (2) Picasso Tiles (1) LEGO Classic Quad Pack Building Kit | The first hour was an introductory hour of myself, and general work function. The second graders were given an assignment of imagining something that they have never seen in the real world. They were than able to use the purchased kits to build what that item would look like to them. I was there to assist in giving suggestions on how to keep the pieces together and nothing further. |
| Mark Davis | GA-ASI/AS | Aspen Leaf Preschool, San Diego, CA | Three jump rocket sets, one Estes model rocket launch set with rocket motors, and safety glasses for the kids. | Introduced the concept of propulsion to the children by releasing balloons with straws attached on string. Then setup jump rockets to show children the correlation of energy input to the height of their foam rocket launches. Finally, launched two Estes rockets, taught children best safety practices, and showed them step by step how the firing sequence was executed. |
| Jorge Peterson | GA-ASI | Thrive Public School, La Mesa CA | None | Helped a group of three students in an elementary school classroom go through the engineering process, which they will later apply to a drone project. In the activity we brainstormed new inventions inspired by biomimicry. We then selected our best idea and the kids drew a diagram of the invention and listed what items would be needed to build it. They then presented the idea to the rest of the class. |
| Jeff Warren | GA-ASI | San Pasqual High School, Escondido, CA | I purchased a 20 ton press brake stand and the press brake kit that goes inside the stand that the team is using for sheet metal fabrication of their competition robots. | I delivered the parts to the team for them to assemble, and have continued in my role as assistant coach of the team to mentor them through the robot design and specifically teaching and leading the students on the software design for the competition. |
| Justin Stricula | GA-EMS | High Tech High International, Point Loma CA | Components to build a quad copter. Intention is to design and build the chassis/fuselage then purchase the control and power electronics for the propellers. |
Mentored student, Shayan Bathaee, on how to go about setting requirements and designing a product to meet them. Assisted in areas which the student was unfamiliar. Had to re-model his 3D model of the quad-copter frame from Sketchup to SOLIDWORKS . Required assistance from another GA employee to finish nuances of the design such that it was more lightweight and compatible with the 3D printers. |
| Robert Minton | GA-ASI | Literacy First Charter School – Liberty Academy, El Cajon CA | (3) Lego Boost Creative Toolbox Building and Coding Kits to enhance our STEM curriculum by allowing us to demonstrate through hands-on experiences: beginning robotics, coding and programming. | Interacting with students in the classroom assisting them with construction of the “robots” and the initial coding. |
| Scott Parks | GA-ASI | Templeton High School, Templeton CA | None | Talked about my timeline (school, internships, work), my experiences at the company, pros and cons of being an engineer, reviewed class projects, provided recommendations/advice for fixes/improvements |
| Kassi Marshall Ritter | GA-ASI | Science Olympiad, San Diego CA | Funding will be used to purchase testing materials and safety items for the annual Science Olympiad competition. | I volunteered at an event called Rollercoaster for the annual Science Olympiad competition. Students will arrive with a previously built project and I will direct them to properly and accurately perform the testing. |
| Josh Ferguson | GA-ASI | West Point Jr High, West Point UT | "3 Cana Kit Raspberry Pi 3 kits 3Sounfounder sensor kits" | We met with about 10 students after school and did some electronic projects using sensors and Raspberry Pi computers. We will continue to do this for the next 7 weeks. |
| Chad Nanney | GA-ASI | West Point Jr High, West Point UT | "3 Cana Kit Raspberry Pi 3 kits 3Sounfounder sensor kits" | We met with about 10 students after school and did some electronic projects using sensors and Raspberry Pi computers. We will continue to do this for the next 7 weeks. |
| Donna Mirabella | GA-ASI | Ellen Browning Scripps Elementary School, San Diego, CA | Activity Table with Board; Lego 10697 Building Large Box Creator XXL, 1500 pieces; Lego Tire Wheel and Long Axles Bulk,100 pieces; KidKraft 2-in-1 Activity Table with Board | Talked about careers in Engineering and volunteered in classroom for Lego building activity. |
| Nick Kemme | GA-ASI/MS | Saint Augustine High School, San Diego CA | Tools and supplies to build soccer playing robots (robotics class) and rube Goldberg machines (engineering class). This included: drill and driver (and additional battery packs), clamping workbench, general tool kit, wire strippers, saw, saw blades and onmi-directional robotics wheels. | I visited Saint Augustine High School a few timesand helped design and build mousetrap cars, cardboard chairs, rube Goldberg machines and soccer playing robots. |
| Joshua Vasquez | GA-EMS | Science Olympiad, San Diego CA | Technical equipment for the Towers competition | I will be volunteering at an event for the annual Science Olympiad competition. Help set up and supervise engineering Towers competition as well as airplane competition |
| Christoph Hiemcke | GA-ASI | Poway High School, Poway CA | Dave Fisher is orchestrating all of the GA employees. Generally Team Spyder spends the money on robot parts, T-Shirts, and other supplies related to the robot and the mock playing field | This year I was only involved in the analysis of the static forces and the dynamics of the robot. |
| Darrell Nakawaki | GA-ASI | Heritage K-6 Charter School, Escondido CA | Toysmith Marbles in a Tin Box;Engino Discovering Stem – Mechanics Wheels, Axles, Inclined Planes const. kit; Engino Discovering Stem – Newton’s Laws Inertia, Momentum, Kinetic & Potential energy const. kit; Engino Discovering Stem – construction & Bridges construction kit; ThinkFun Graivty Maze marble run; The flying Machine Book – build / launch rockets, gliders, helicopters, boomerangs, and more; Neon colored drinking straws; Best titanium scissors; Aluminum Straight edge meter stick | I assisted the instructor setup an activity where the students could evaluate the strengths of construction and bridges. The Engino Discovering Stem kit was used to demonstrate different bridge structures such as a suspension bridge, truss and cable stayed bridge. |
| Shawna Sherwood | GA-ASI | Westview High School, Poway, CA | None | Woman in Engineering Day at General Atomics (third annual):I gave the production tour to the high school girls and I helped with the lunch Q&A and the engineering activity. |
| Shawna Sherwood | GA-ASI | Rolling Hills Elementary School, San Diego CA | None | I will be judging the Rolling Hills Elementary School Science and Engineering Fair. |
| Marwan Azzam | GA-EMS | Rolling Hills Elementary School, San Diego CA | None | Judge at Rolling Hills Elementary School science & engineer fair |
| Lizbeth Cazarez | GA-ASI | Westview High School, Poway, CA | None | My involvement with the Woman in Engineering Day at General Atomics (third annual) consisted of being one of the tour guides. I helped set up the luncheon, answer questions about college applications, and college life in a STEM field (Physics for me), as well as my experience as a GA-ASI intern in 2014. I also participated in the Engineering activity. |
| Joe Rios | GA-ASI | Rolling Hills Elementary School, San Diego CA | None | Judging for the Rolling Hills Elementary School Science and Engineering Fair |
| Lois Yu | GA-ASI/AS | TutorMate | None | Tutoring for TutorMate |
| Lois Yu | GA-ASI | TutorMate; Garfield Elementary, Santa Ana CA | None | Weekly reading tutoring of 1st grade student through TutorMate online volunteer tutoring program |
| Nicole Mitich | GA-EMS | Science Olympiad, San Diego CA | Funding was used to purchase testing materials and safety items for the annual Science Olympiad competition. | Volunteered at an event (Mousetrap Vehicle) for the annual Science Olympiad competition. Students arrived for the competition with a mousetrap vehicle already made and I directed them to properly and accurately perform the testing. I also directed other volunteers to assist in the competition. |
| Aaron Sathrum | GA-EMS | Rolling Hills Elementary School, San Diego CA | None | Judging for the Rolling Hills Elementary School Science and Engineering Fair |
| Matthew Ferrari | GA-EMS | San Diego Science Olympiad | None | I was a co-event supervisor for the Towers event. In the event, high school student’s structures were loaded with sand to see how much sand they could hold. |
| Brian Casaday | GA-ASI | Rolling Hills Elementary School, San Diego CA | None | Judging for the Rolling Hills Elementary School Science and Engineering Fair |
| Timothy Bleakley | GA-ASI | Ramona High School, Ramona CA | Classroom supplies, balsa model planes, model-making supplies including servos. | "Establish a new weekly after-school club for aerospace engineering (Flight Club). First 4 session of “Flight Club”, 2-hours each, including:
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| Denielle Ardilla | GA | Literacy First Charter School, El Cajon CA | Funding will be used to purchase building/crafting supplies for students to use in replicating ancient technological inventions and to individually design and engineer an innovative and modern invention for the world today. | I provided parental support in the classroom helping the student’s research and draft their proposals with suggested materials to use. Additionally, I attended “innovator night” to provide feedback to the students on their designs. |
| Matthew Culley | GA-ASI | Poway High School, Poway CA | Funding will be used for purchasing materials, regional competitions fees, etc | I mentored the Mechanical sub-team of Team Spyder. My roles included teaching the students about good engineering design processes, along with how to machine parts and build electrical sub-systems. |
| Dee Wilson | GA-ASI | Poway High School, Poway CA | Robotics materials, hardware and electrical components for FRC 2018 competition. | Mentoring students who are designing, fabricating and building a FRC robot. Consultation on design, assembly and test; teaching students how to use machine shop equipment - lathes, C&C machiens, 3-D printers, etc to build a robot; discussing Engineering careers, etc. |
| Dave Fisher | GA/IRS | Poway High School, Poway CA | Robotics components for FRC 2018 competition. Robotic parts from Andymark.com | FIRST Robotics engineering mentoring, helping students build and test a robot for competition. |
| Kevin Beer | GA-ASI | Poway High School, Poway CA | Robotics components for FRC 2018 competition. Various parts for the robot, aluminum, gearboxes, bearings, sprockets, electrical components and more. T-shirts that serve as the team “uniform” used during competitions, were also purchased. | Mentoring and teaching the students about mechanical design and CAD using PTC Creo. |
| David Wakayama | GA-EMS | Poway High School Robotics Club, Poway CA | Support materials/hardware for the after school robotics program. | Discussed programming principles; Usage of gyroscopes for determining autonomous positioning and compensating for the mechanical differences in the motor drives (e.g., drift); Worked through issues with group dynamics and technical team interfaces/hand-offs |
| Michelle Halloran | GA-ASI | Westview High School, Poway, CA | None | The event will include introducing the girls to a diverse group of outstanding female GA engineers via a panel discussion, provide the girls with a fun hands on engineering activity, and a tour of the manufacturing facilities for the students and their teachers to showcase the cool technology and products GA designs and builds. |
| Robin Jacobson | GA-ASI | Westview High School, Poway, CA | None | The event will include introducing the girls to a diverse group of outstanding female GA engineers via a panel discussion, provide the girls with a fun hands on engineering activity, and a tour of the manufacturing facilities for the students and their teachers to showcase the cool technology and products GA designs and builds. |
| Loosineh Aghaian | GA | San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering EXPO DAY | None | Explaining Scientific Principles, Handing out Science Posters, Performing Simple Science Demonstrations. |
| Raymond Smith | GA-ASI/MS | Science Olympiad, San Diego CA | Purchase materials for use in towers competition. | Help set up and supervise engineering Towers competition. |
| Caitlin Lambert | GA-ASI | Westview High School, Poway, CA | None | The event will include introducing the girls to a diverse group of outstanding female GA engineers via a panel discussion, provide the girls with a fun hands on engineering activity, and a tour of the manufacturing facilities for the students and their teachers to showcase the cool technology and products GA designs and builds. |
| Sandra (Sandy) Peterson | GA-ASI | Westview High School, Poway, CA | None | Supported other female employees for Women in Engineering Day at General Atomics (third annual) by providing the girls with a fun hands on engineering activity. |
| Joshua Teague | GA-ASI | Rolando Elementary, La Mesa, CA | None | I will be presenting at career day and sharing about my career, why I chose it, and how I became qualified to have it. Presented PowerPoint presentation to 3 groups of 3rd through 6th graders. |
| Mark Kaniut | GA-ASI | Dana Hills Robotics Club, Dana Point, CA | This funding purchased a Robo-Rio, and the team was able to build both a competition and practice robot. | As a mentor, I taught the team how to use carpentry tools as the team built the practice arena. After that was completed, I showed the team how to use drill presses, power tools, aluminum riveters and pop rivets, as well as troubleshooting on design. |
| Katherine Kucharski | GA-ASI/AS | Sweetwater Union High School District, Chula Vista, CA | The funding was used to purchase 9 soldering kits and 6 Lipo Safe Battery Charging and Storage Bags. A soldering kit was purchased for each of the high schools | Nine high schools participated in the Quadcopter challenge including Bonita Vista High School, Eastlake High School, Hilltop High School, Montgomery High School, Olympian High School, Otay Ranch High School, Palomar High School, Southwest High School, and Sweetwater High School. A soldering kit was purchased for each of the high schools and the battery safety bag was purchased for the schools that didn’t already have one. I volunteered once a week (2 hours each) at Sweetwater Highschool by working with the students to design and build their quadcopter for the challenge. I also talked to the students about the benefits of a STEM career and the exciting work I do at GA-ASI. |
| Khanh (Kayla) Phan | GA-HR | San Diego Regional Science Olympiad | Expenses relating to tools, food, equipment, or any related materials to help with Science Olympiad Regional Division B and Division C Competitions. | Served on the Regional SO Committee as Volunteer Coordinator & ordered materials, food, drinks, and miscellaneous items to ensure smooth operations of both Division B & C events |
| Matthew Virgen | GA-EMS | Science Olympiad, San Diego CA | Funds were used to purchase tools and supplies to run multiple events at the annual regional Science Olympiad competition. Hundreds of team from dozens of schools participated in the regional event. | I captained the Towers event for the high school division. 52 teams participated, and I had to ensure they all performed the procedure appropriately, and that all teams were treated equally. I supervised 7 other volunteers, which allowed us to run multiple events at a time. In the Towers event, students build a tower of wood and adhesive, in order to bear as much weight as possible. |
| Landon Carlson | GA-EMS | Science Olympiad, San Diego CA | Funding will be used to purchase testing materials and safety items for the annual Science Olympiad competition. | I was the event captain for the Towers event for the middle school competition with over 100 teams. I coordinated the event setup and logistics, and oversaw 12 volunteers to provide a consistent test scenario for the students to test the maximum weight their tower could hold. |
| Jordan Rundell | GA-ASI | Sweetwater High School, San Diego, CA | None | Mentoring students to build a quadcopter that they then will compete in a competition with other local High Schoolers. I judged reports for the competition that took place in with the Sweetwater Unified High School District. |
| Garrett Reinicke | GA-ASI | Fuerte Elementary, La Mesa, CA | None | Employee went to classroom and conducted a presentation about engineering and his experiences in college and career. Afterwards employee assisted teacher with the in class project of making paper airplanes. Students were given instructions each design and make a paper airplane that would fly the farthest. Employee walked around engaging students by asking them to explain their thought process behind their designs. Student then went outside to conduct flight test. The three planes that flew the farthest were selected for a whole class discussion as to why they performed the best. |
| Narimene Lekmine | GA-ASI | Ashley Falls, San Diego CA | 10 Ozobots were purchased for the activity. | My role will be to help the technology teacher with teaching kids computer science concepts, problem solving strategies, and integration of math and science with technology. We used Ozobots to provide learning opportunities for basic coding skills and computer science concepts. We used Ozobots to reinforce math and science concepts throughout the lesson. |
| Matthew Quinn | GA-ICF | Grant School, Santa Monica CA | None | We will be doing a Question and Answer Session on how the Sun Works, Giving out Science Posters. Doing a Demonstration on Phase Changes from Liquid to Solid by way of making Cryogenic Ice Cream. Answering any Audience Questions on what it’s like to be a Scientist. Describing some challenging and tough problems Scientists are working on. |
| William Capinski | GA-EMS | Sherman Elementary School, San Diego, CA | We will purchase “Snap Circuits” kits and digital multi-meters. The kits contain color-coded real circuit components that snap together to create working electronic circuits and devices. The multi-meters will make for further exploration of the circuits with the advisors guidance. Qty 10: Snap Circuit 300 kit; Qty 6: Snap Circuit Jr kit; Qty 5: Snap Circuit A/C Adapter | I gave an inspirational, interactive, technology-based presentation to about fifty 5th grade students. I spoke about my exciting job at GA and how the electrical engineers are a critical member of the team that is developing our high power laser system. I then discussed the most basic electricity principles starting with the flow of electrons, transitioning to the most basic electrical components including motors and power generation with generators, and ending with the differences between AC and DC current and the role of transformers. I included many of the components of the kits in my presentation. |
| Kathy Kucharski | GA-ASI | Einstein Academy, San Diego CA | The funding was used to purchase materials for building marshmallow structures for 160 students. The purchase included paper, large marshmallows, small marshmallows, toothpicks, thick spaghetti, and paper lunch bags for holding the materials. | The students reviewed examples of truss structures, brainstormed truss structure designs and built truss structures in groups. The structures were made out of spaghetti and marshmallows. After the hands on activity, we talked about what worked and compared the structure they built with the truss design drawing they made in the brainstorm phase. In many cases, the structure did not look like the plans and the students explained that they changed the design based on what they learned about the materials. |
| Debra S. Roy | GA-ASI | 2018 STEAM Workshop; Annual Workshop National Council of Negro Women; Bethune Elementary School; San Diego, CA | "The funds were used to purchase materials for 4 interactive workshop sessions: Marshmallows, Dots candy, candy bars (toothpicks were already provided). Also purchased items for the general give-away session for over 100 girls: 3 Air Hogs Rockets, 2 Stalker Blue Remote Controlled Air Crafts, 1 Air Hogs Flyer (remote controlled) , 4 wireless mouse and pad sets" | "Workshop – presented 4 times during the event; Is Engineering for YOU; Students worked as teams at 4 to 6 tables each to answer questions related to STEAM fields and jobs they wanted to do. A spokesperson from each table presented a summary of their teams responses to the rest of the class. The students worked in mini-teams (per table) to create the tallest structure using marshmallows, Dots candy and toothpicks; with some “twists” in requirements as the event progresses (e.g., they had 3 minutes to plan and 5 min to build; the structure when complete, had to stand on its own (no student holding or touching the structure). We had 4 sessions with a winning team at each session (~3 – 5 winners each (total 16 winners total). After the winning team was identified, we discussed what the students learned; (good communication is key; planning ahead is important; everyone on the team was needed; working as a team was fun; didn’t like changes to the requirements midstream, but adapted to work through it)." |
| Gary Williams | GA-ASI | Einstein Academy, San Diego CA | None | Students were given a brief presentation covering some basic Engineering concepts and definitions. Then students were split into groups and competed to construct the tallest tower of marshmallows and spaghetti utilizing trusses. |
| Sandra (Sandy) Peterson | GA-ASI | Westview High School, Poway, CA | None | Supported other female employees for Women in Engineering Day at General Atomics (third annual) by providing the girls with a fun hands on engineering activity. |
| James Thammarath | GA-ASI | Morse High School, San Diego, CA | None | Give presentation on my engineering career as part of Morse HS’s STEM Lecture Series |
| Erik Borunda | GA-ASI | Morse High School, San Diego, CA | None | Giving a group of honors/AP STEM students a guided tour of the ASI manufacturing buildings |
| Don Czechowicz | GA-ICF | Grant School, Santa Monica CA | Transportation Costs, Liability Insurance Cost, Demonstration Supplies Costs for Grant School Science Expo Volunteer Activity on 042818 | Demonstration of “Deep Freeze – Cryogenics” Ice Cream production and testing by ~300 Grant School Attendees. Distribution of GASSSS Science Posters ~150+. Discussions of “What It’s Like to be a Scientist”. Questions and Answers on Science in Our World during Demonstration and Attendance by GASSSS Volunteers. |
| Charles Matthew Kendall | GA-EMS | Oak Crest Middle School, Encinitas CA | A Shake Rattle and Roll Earthquake Board Kit and base isolator were purchased. In addition, supplies for structures were purchased. | I introduced students to the types and importance of Engineering, my background including the types of technologies on which I have worked, describing GA and the GA technologies, and answering student questions. I described some basic concepts of structural design and design elements. The students were divided into teams of 4-5 students each, and began sketching their designs as a group. I circulated amongst the teams providing suggestions and answering questions. Overall, the morning was very successful and rewarding for both the students and me. |
| Michael Allwein | GA-ASI/AS | Pacheco Elementary School, San Luis Obispo, CA | STEM material for use in Math Workplaces and Friday Fun time. | "Made paper rockets using drinking straws, tape, scissors and regular copier paper. Challenges for first graders were: 1. getting them airtight enough to work 2. testing, altering and re-testing to get them to go higher and/or farther" |
| Casey Kong | GA-IFT | Grant School, Santa Monica CA | None | We will be doing a Question and Answer Session on how the Sun Works, Giving out Science Posters. Doing a Demonstration on Phase Changes from Liquid to Solid by way of making Cryogenic Ice Cream. Answering any Audience Questions on what it’s like to be a Scientist. Describing some challenging and tough problems Scientists are working on. |
| Mark Ratledge | GA-ICF | Grant School, Santa Monica CA | None | Gathered and prepped supplies for volunteer team: Posters, filled LN2 dewars, gathered ice cream making supplies, etc. |
| Michael Deshler | GA-ASI | Ada Harris Elementary, Solana Beach CA | 8 Breakout EDU kits. Kids work in teams collaboratively on a science challenge and solve science clues to unlock the box. The kits will be available through the school STEAM lab as well as for classroom teacher check-out. All 360 kids in the school will benefit from using the kits. | Mr. Deshler talked about cyber security engineering and the need for kids to "learn how to learn" to do jobs which will be invented in the future. He talked about his fleet of self-driving cars made from remote control cars with raspberry pi computers and small, high definition cameras. Ms. Bergado, a 2018 computer science graduate from SDSU, talked about her experiences as a cyber security engineering intern, enabling her to join GA as a full time employee. Mr. Friday, a Certified Information System Security Professional, talked about programming and security for important US systems like those protecting soldiers. |
| Donna Mirabella | GA-ASI | Ellen Browning Scripps (EBS) Elementary, San Diego CA | Field trips to the Helen Woodward Center or outreaches to your classroom that incorporate STEAM and meet Next Generation Science Standards for grades K-6th. Experience HANDS-ON animal interactions plus learn lessons about life cycles, baby animals, and other changes that occur during spring. "Spring Tails Outreach." | Assist kids with crafts related to science. |
| Breanna Bergado | GA-ASI | Ada Harris Elementary, Solana Beach CA | 8 Breakout EDU kits. Kids work in teams collaboratively on a science challenge and solve science clues to unlock the box. The kits will be available through the school STEAM lab as well as for classroom teacher check-out. All 360 kids in the school will benefit from using the kits. | Mr. Deshler talked about cyber security engineering and the need for kids to "learn how to learn" to do jobs which will be invented in the future. He talked about his fleet of self-driving cars made from remote control cars with raspberry pi computers and small, high definition cameras. Ms. Bergado, a 2018 computer science graduate from SDSU, talked about her experiences as a cyber security engineering intern, enabling her to join GA as a full time employee. Mr. Friday, a Certified Information System Security Professional, talked about programming and security for important US systems like those protecting soldiers. |
| Christopher Friday | GA-ASI | Ada Harris Elementary, Solana Beach CA | 8 Breakout EDU kits. Kids work in teams collaboratively on a science challenge and solve science clues to unlock the box. All 360 kids in the school will benefit from using the kits. | Discussed cyber safety, reminding children to be cautious on-line. The students demonstrated lessons using Breakout EDU boxes, resources enabling student teams to work together to figure out codes, opening locks based upon science concepts. The 5th and 6th graders were very enthusiastic, expressing thanks and providing great feedback. |
| Shahin Pajoom | GA-ICF | Grant School, Santa Monica CA | None | We will be doing a Question and Answer Session on how the Sun Works, Giving out Science Posters. Doing a Demonstration on Phase Changes from Liquid to Solid by way of making Cryogenic Ice Cream. Answering any Audience Questions on what it’s like to be a Scientist. Describing some challenging and tough problems Scientists are working on. |
| Julie Fooks | GA-IFT | Victor Primary School, Victor, NY | None | Along with two colleagues, we presented a general overview of the OMEGA laser facility at the University of Rochester’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE). We had a special emphasis on targets (since my GA colleague and I are both in the target fabrication group) where we shared target designs. We also showed the students real targets and scaled-up 3D-printed models. In addition, we had demonstrations of fiber optics, lenses and optics on an optical rail, and a “laser maze” game with mirrors and beam splitters. |
| Sarah A. Muller | GA-IFT | Victor Primary School, Victor, NY | None | Talking about my role as a target fabrication engineer at the University of Rochester’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics in Rochester, NY at the Victor Primary School Grade 2 Career Day; 3 half-hour sessions of Laser Lab/target/optics “Show & Tell” + materials/presentation prep time and set-up. |
| Andrew Chappie | GA-ASI | TutorMate; Santa Ana Elementary School | None | Weekly tutoring (30 minutes/week) for assigned student from Tutormate program. |
| Steve Celle | GA | Holmes Elementary, San Diego CA | Bought sketch pads, rulers and filament for the 3D printer | Went into class room and worked with third grade class to introduce them into designing as a team. Introduced Computer generated models by showing them their designs on the computer. Had students create a design then present their ideas to the rest of the class. Created 3D models of their designs. Presented each student with a model and a certificate that included a drawing of their idea. |
| Nikki Casebier | GA-ASI | Vintage Math / Science / Technology Magnet Elementary School, North Hills, CA | Supplies for the robotics club’s robots and kindle fires needed to operate the robots. | Visited the robotics club at Vintage Math/Science/Technology Magnet Elementary School to give a demonstration on coding and navigating the robots then working individually with the students on teaching how they can do it themselves. We also participated in the school’s NASA Night event leading small groups of students on how to get started in programming the robots and navigate them through various outlined challenges by using the GA purchased Amazon Kindles. |
| Michael Casebier | GA-ASI | Vintage Math / Science / Technology Magnet Elementary School, North Hills, CA | Supplies for the robotics club’s robots and kindle fires needed to operate the robots. | We will be visiting the robotics club at Vintage Math/Science/Technology Magnet Elementary School to first give a demonstration on coding and controlling the robots then working individually with the kids on teaching how they can do it themselves. In addition, we will be attending the school’s NASA night to talk about our careers at General Atomics and lead groups in a small robotics competition. |
| Askar Konkachbaev | GA-ASI | JERABEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, San Diego CA | The funding was used to purchase 5 sets of Learning Resources Robot Mouse STEM Activity Sets. | "Students have learned basic programming skills with the help of a “code-and-go” robot mouse: Demonstrated how to code programmable mouse to complete maze. Then broke into 5 teams. Helped kids to code using cards. Each team member had a chance to program mouse himself/herself. After that teams combined team’s codes to complete combined mega maze." |
| Katherine Kucharski | GA-ASI | UCSD COSMOS | None | Helping with tour and Q&A session for high school students. |
| Alan Snyder | GA-ASI | UCSD COSMOS | 22 General Atomics lanyards from the Employee Recreation Association (ERA) | Mentored GA-ASI Team members in logical routing of COSMOS students through Poway A14-A15 Manufacturing Complex prior to COSMOS student arrival. Assisted COSMOS coordinator and GA-ASI Security with COSMOS student and teacher check-in. Conducted Poway A14-A15 Manufacturing Complex tour for 11 COSMOS participants. Assisted with Engineering Panel presentations + Q&A |
| Greg Shue | GA-ASI | FRC Team NOMAD Inc., Escondido CA | Purchase of miscellaneous robotics parts for FRC Team NOMAD Inc. competing in FIRST Robotics competitions: Gears; Pneumatic fittings; Solenoid; Air Cylinder; Navigation sensor; encoders and encoder parts; motors; | I serve as assistant coach for the FRC 6995 NOMAD team. I mentor the students in the team in all aspects of the competition. 80+ hours of hands-on mentoring in the use of cloud-based source code management, state-machine design and coding (for managing the pneumatically actuated gears), introduction to quadrature encoders, elementary PID control systems, and leading through problem solving on issues with autonomous movement. |
| Mike Cleary | GA-ASI | South Charleston High School | None | Detailed response to a Project Lead the Way questionnaire about careers. |
| Drew DeJarnette | GA-ASI | Black Mountain Middle School after school robotics club, San Diego CA | Parts were purchased for the construction of the robot, including parts for the chassis, wheels, and others. | I have been present at weekly sessions with the team of 10 students helping guide them through the design and build process for the robotics as one of the team coaches. I help with planning, outreach, and fundraising opportunities for the students to participate in. |
| Andre Carter | GA-ASI | Black Mountain Middle School, San Diego, CA | Robotics Team Kit consisting of the practice arena to prepare for the competition and robotics parts to create the team robot. The parts will include motors, servos, sensors, and some tools. Tetrix Max Robotic Components and Tools. | I have been present at weekly sessions with the team of 10 students helping guide them through the design and build process for the robotics as one of the team coaches. I help with design, presentations, and fundraising opportunities for the students to participate in. |
| Rick Lee | GA | STEP: STEPCon2018 at Riverside CA | None | R. Lee (GA) and Alex Nagy (PPPL) performed twelve 35-minute science stage shows to approximately 4,800 students (G4, G6, G8) and one evening show for ≈ 100 members of the general public at the annual STEPCon18 program held at the Bourns Technology Center in Riverside, CA. The theme for this year was ‘electric’ and included concepts covering voltage, electric field, AC & DC, energy, and conduction & insulation. |
| Julie Titze | GA-ASI | Snow Springs Elementary, Lehi, Utah | Class set of magnetic white boards, magnetic sheets, blocks, components to build a class set of hydraulic robotic arms, and storage containers for everything. | I will have ready for them several front, top, and side views of the blocks cut from the magnetic tape for them to use on the magnetic whiteboards to practice making a basic 3 view “drawing” to build structures from. We will discuss the how hydraulics work, things to consider when building one, and the different uses for hydraulics. We will close the two weeks talking about what they learned about designing objects, making drawings, building to a drawing, and hydraulics |
| Joseph Piotrowski | GA-ASI | Antelope Valley Fair Grounds. Lancaster, CA | None | I ran a booth at the Salute to Youth Event where we had an interactive CFD model that the kids could play and experiment with. While they were testing, I explained how fluid mechanics are used to help create aircraft wings and some of the problems we encounter. Kids asked questions such as: what made you want to be an engineer? What do you do at work? What degree do you have? What advice would you give to someone who wants to become an engineer? I also helped explain the multiple varieties of engineers that work in aerospace. |
| Jennifer Labs | GA-ASI | Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, SDSU | None | Helping graduating engineering students with resume review and interview prep. |
| Pedro Montenegro | GA-ASI | Mira Costa College; Oceanside CA | None | "I was part of a 6 person STEM industry panel. First half of the event was a question and answer forum. The topics of questions were about why we choose our careers, what our day to day lives are choose to peruse the same carrier. Second half was a meet and greet where students were able to come ask me questions one on one." |
| Yangyang Yu | GA-ASI | Stone Ranch Elementary School, San Diego, CA | 13 sets of 3 month supply of the Kiwi Crate STEAM boxes have been purchased. | On 10/19/2018, I assisted the teacher in her classroom-with the Kiwi Crate STEAM box event. |
| Marcella Sosa | GA-ASI | Oceanside Middle Schools Girl Tech Conference 2018; Mira Costa College, Oceanside CA | None | We will be doing our much requested “Science is Cool”, Cryogenic Ice Cream Workshops. Explaining physical changes of Matter. Doing Question and Answer session. Giving out GASSSS Posters |
| Michael Borden | GA-EMS | Floyd M. Stork Elementary School, Alta Loma, CA | Supplies were purchased which will support a geology lab demonstration for the students and a set of lab supplies for building structures to test their strength. | I did a 1 hour presentation of a slide package I put together which answered questions about what an engineer does and who can become an engineer. I then talked about some of the cool stuff I’ve done as an engineer to get kids excited about engineering. The kids then had the opportunity to me some specific questions about engineering |
| Isaac Vega Lopez | GA-ASI | Heritage Christian School | T shirts for robotics club | I will be teaching First Lego League Team 37525 some basic considerations of space flight, and helping them to identify a human physical or social problem faced during long duration space exploration. They must choose one such problem and propose a solution for this year’s Project Challenge.Brought in a completed Saturn V Lego rocket. Separated each stage of the rocket and explained it to the team. Listened to and gave feedback on the team’s solution to the FLL Project Assignment. |
| Peter Varga | GA-EMS | Mount Vernon Elementary School; Yorktown VA | One LEGO Mindstorms Education EV3 Core Kit and two LEGO EV3 Color Sensors. | • Purchase materials and equipment • Observe, help coach and provide inspiration during one of their assembly and preparatory sessions • Attend one of their regional competitions to cheer them on |
| Don Czechowicz | GA | Oceanside Middle Schools Girl Tech Conference 2018; Mira Costa College, Oceanside CA | Consumable Supplies for Demonstration. | We will be doing our much requested “Science is Cool”, Cryogenic Ice Cream Workshops. Explaining physical changes of Matter. Doing Question and Answer session. Giving out GASSSS Posters |
| Prasad Tanaki | GA-ITS | Oak Valley Middle School and Black Mountain Academy School, San Diego CA | Buying components to build Robot and Register to participate in First Robotics Challenge League Tournaments. | I am training and mentoring a Robotics team called Tartle Robots through Robotics Inspiring Science and Engineering (RISE). The team consists of 6 students from Oak Valley Middle School and 1 student from Blank Mountain Academy school, Rancho Penasquitos, San Diego. |
| Michael A. (Andy) Grimaud | GA-ASI | Meadowbrook Robotics, Poway CA | Robotics coach training @ Legoland, supplies for the robotics team | Met twice weekly with the students (Sunday afternoon and Tuesday evening), totaled 3.5 hours of meeting time per week. Generally spent about one hour per week preparing for the meetings. First Lego League focuses on Core values, project, robot design and robot game execution. Participated in the qualifier tournament on 11/10/18. |
| Thomas Dittmann | GA-ASI | San Diego Unified Mesa College Pre-K Class, San Diego CA | Handouts, balancing scale, a classroom set of math manipulatives, math poster, giant laminated counting book, wooden geometric shapes | I began by briefly discussing airplanes. Then I did an interactive counting activity using an oversized “10 Apples Up on Top” book. After that, I led a demonstration of the other math activities that I purchased for the classroom. |
| Syed M. Akbar | GA-ASI | Narbonne High School, Harbor City CA | Funding will be used to purchase 2.2m Pasco Low Friction Track with Carts. | Activity was a lecture presentation on GA employee’s expertise in antenna’s corresponding to the students’ unit on waves. GA employee participated in helping students understanding Energy with impulse/momentum unit. Pasco Cart tracks were used to highlight application of Force over displacement leading to Kinetic Energy. |
| Joseph Bayer | GA-ASI | Twin Peaks Middle School, Poway CA | Geography Sciences material | "Collaborated with Teacher lead and several students. What would help in terms of learning retention. Lecture discussing aspects of historical world culture and influence in today’s technology use, proliferation and uses. " |
| Isaac Proctor | GA-ASI | Highland Elementary School, Highland Utah | LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Education EV3 Core Set | I introduced the concept of force and showed a demonstration of a balloon attached to a straw that could slide along a piece of yarn that was stretched across the classroom. We discussed Newton’s 3rd law. We talked about forces on an aircraft with the aid of a model MQ-9. We then discussed what was unique about the MQ-9 since there was no windows like regular aircraft. Then we discussed how it is a robot and had the students think of other kinds of robots. We discussed self-driving cars, the Mars lander, robots that assist with surgery, etc. I then introduced the Lego robot and had it ready to show them how to program it. First, we learned how to make it drive forward for 1 second. Then I showed them how to get it to drive until it bumped into an object. Then I showed them how to bump into an object then back up. Then I showed them how to bump into an object, back up, then turn around. The final step was to have the entire class in a circle where the robot would bump into various kids, say ‘hello’, then back up and turn around and go to another kid in the circle. The students enjoyed that more than I anticipated. |
| Bobby Russell | GA-ITS | Rio Seco Middle School; Santee CA | High altitude science experiment materials: Helium, Balloons, Parachutes, basic circuit boards | Classroom presentation, launch and recovery of rocket. |
| Jake Crawford | GA-ASI | Poway High School, Poway CA | Material to support building of robot for robotics club.10 x “Makeblock 90092 Mbot Mechanical Building Block Ranger Robot Kit” | Mentor students in the PHS Robotics Club |
| Michael Allwein | GA-ASI | Pacheco Elementary, San Luis Obispo CA | School class is studying erosion. Funding will be used to purchase erosion kits. | 1. Studying the effect of slope on water speed. Water was flowed down a trough. Pieces of paper were dropped in. The students timed how long it took for the paper to run down the trough for three different slopes. 2. Studying the effect of slope on erosion rate. The students evenly spread ½ cup of sand in the trough and then flowed water to wash it away. Again they timed the event and varied the slope. 3. Observing erosion in a large pan of sand. Each group had 25 lbs of sand in a large sloped pan. They could mold / shape / carve the sand however they saw fit. They then flowed water into the top of the pan and watched how it flowed and eroded the sand. They were able to repeat this experiment several times. |
| William Johnstone | GA-EMS | Escondido Charter High School FRC Robotics Club; Escondido, CA | Robot parts consisting of mecanum wheels, some pneumatic connectors and special fabric for the competition robot’s bumpers. | Working with software team reviewing previous year’s code, helping with the integration of the pixycam vision system and strategies for the upcoming season. |
| Mike Cleary | GA-ASI | RAD Robotics (non-profit), San Diego CA | Robot parts (linear actuators, servos, sensors) | Phone conversation about non-profit, club goals, club history, and ways GA can help. In person meeting learning about club, meeting teams, helping with design process. Coordinating order w/ Rob & ordering parts. |
| Darrell Nakawaki | GA-ASI | Heritage K-6 Charter School, Escondido CA | Stream table kit to investigate effects of currents on river bank and bottom of soil while observing erosion and sedimentation. Flips charts for earth's surface, atmosphere and weather. Volcanoe book and wildlife animals for projects. | I worked with the teacher and students on a science activity involving the water table and flip charts for the earth surface and atmosphere weather. The water table demonstrated erosion, sedimentation and water flow caused by different surfaces. The students would then rotate to another station where we would cover the earth surface and atmosphere and review expected behavior with the change in atmosphere and different earth surfaces. The hands on activity and discussion was beneficial for the students understanding of erosion, sediment, earth surface differences and atmospheric changes. |
| John J. Malaney | GA-ASI | St. Michael’s School; Poway CA | Funding will be used for bottle rocket launchers and bottle rocket supplies for 22 students to make and launch bottle rockets. | I went to the classroom and gave a short lecture about rockets. I showed a video of a rocket launch and discussed the momentum. The 2 classes then decorated their bottle rockets. Each class then came outside and each student got to launch his/her rocket. |
| Brian Cluggish | GA | The Language Academy, San Diego CA | The funds will be used to buy and install a weather station (Ambient Weather WS-2000 Smart Weather Station) at the school. The students will be able to access the data from their classrooms, visualize it, and analyze it. | Purchased weather station and tripod and mast assembly. When they arrive, I will install, calibrate, connect to the school Wifi network. I will also create WeatherUnderground and Ambient Weather accounts for weather station. I will then train teachers on how they and their students can access the data. |
| Edward Ortiz | GA-EMS | Community Montessori School, Poway CA | For the electrical experiment, we purchased cardstock, LEDs, copper foil tape, and button cell batteries. Additional STEM materials purchased were: educational prism, brass hooked weight set, a simple machines/gear train model, wooden simple machine collection, wooden block and tackle (simple machine), weight and balance set (to comprehend the law of torque), soldering iron and solder, ceramic magnets, and magnet wire. | Using the Fun-with-Electricity presentation (on the GASSSS website) as a guide, I led the class on building a circuit with the batteries, copper foil tape, cardstock, and LEDs. |
| Darryl Mellott | GA-EMS | Escondido Charter High School, Escondido CA | Robot parts | Mentor robotics team. Worked with lead software team member to come up to speed with past, current and future robot building and competition activities, issues, and achievements. Brainstormed on strategies to how to better test software using HW simulators and usage of smoke tests. Also discussed having another robot. |
| Tony Kwan | GA-EMS | Escondido Charter High School FRC Robotics Club; Escondido, CA | Parts for the robot | Provided guidance and assistance for the robot team in preparation for the upcoming competition. |
| James Rudden | GA-ASI | Dingeman Elementary School , San Diego, CA | 2 Piper electronics kits ; 2 Magnetic Tile Building Set 100 piece | Piper: We took some time to explain and demonstrate how electrical circuits work. Then we had them build these Piper computers which walk the students through the process of building electrical circuits that interact through the computer game by allowing the student to proceed through the game further as they build more complex circuitry.Received and delivered 2 magnetic tile sets to classroom. Teachers are still building out their in-class Makerspace. |
| Terry Tomerlin | GA-ASI | Our Lady Of Perpetual Help School, Riverside CA | "Engineering is Elementary curriculum from Museum of Science, Boston. Teacher education for Engineering is elementary." | 10 Adelanto staff held a science fair at OLPH School in Riverside, California. The event was held in the new STEM Lab that GA helped to create through PAC donations. We shared the day holding a STEM focused science fair with 250 K through 8th grade students and faculty. |
| Reg Tomerlin | GA-ASI | Our Lady Of Perpetual Help School, Riverside CA | "Engineering is Elementary curriculum from Museum of Science, Boston. Teacher education for Engineering is elementary." | 10 Adelanto staff held a science fair at OLPH School in Riverside, California. The event was held in the new STEM Lab that GA helped to create through PAC donations. We shared the day holding a STEM focused science fair with 250 K through 8th grade students and faculty. |
| James Meiselbach | GA-ASI | Our Lady Of Perpetual Help School, Riverside CA | "Engineering is Elementary curriculum from Museum of Science, Boston. Teacher education for Engineering is elementary." | 10 Adelanto staff held a science fair at OLPH School in Riverside, California. The event was held in the new STEM Lab that GA helped to create through PAC donations. We shared the day holding a STEM focused science fair with 250 K through 8th grade students and faculty. |
| Mark Churchman | GA-ASI | Our Lady Of Perpetual Help School, Riverside CA | "Engineering is Elementary curriculum from Museum of Science, Boston. Teacher education for Engineering is elementary." | 10 Adelanto staff held a science fair at OLPH School in Riverside, California. The event was held in the new STEM Lab that GA helped to create through PAC donations. We shared the day holding a STEM focused science fair with 250 K through 8th grade students and faculty. |
| John Masters | GA-ASI | Our Lady Of Perpetual Help School, Riverside CA | "Engineering is Elementary curriculum from Museum of Science, Boston. Teacher education for Engineering is elementary." | 10 Adelanto staff held a science fair at OLPH School in Riverside, California. The event was held in the new STEM Lab that GA helped to create through PAC donations. We shared the day holding a STEM focused science fair with 250 K through 8th grade students and faculty. |
| Casey LaScala | GA-ASI | Our Lady Of Perpetual Help School, Riverside CA | "Engineering is Elementary curriculum from Museum of Science, Boston. Teacher education for Engineering is elementary." | 10 Adelanto staff held a science fair at OLPH School in Riverside, California. The event was held in the new STEM Lab that GA helped to create through PAC donations. We shared the day holding a STEM focused science fair with 250 K through 8th grade students and faculty. |
| Collin Alexander | GA-ASI | Our Lady Of Perpetual Help School, Riverside CA | "Engineering is Elementary curriculum from Museum of Science, Boston. Teacher education for Engineering is elementary." | 10 Adelanto staff held a science fair at OLPH School in Riverside, California. The event was held in the new STEM Lab that GA helped to create through PAC donations. We shared the day holding a STEM focused science fair with 250 K through 8th grade students and faculty. |
| Kevin Viggers | GA-ASI | Our Lady Of Perpetual Help School, Riverside CA | "Engineering is Elementary curriculum from Museum of Science, Boston. Teacher education for Engineering is elementary." | 10 Adelanto staff held a science fair at OLPH School in Riverside, California. The event was held in the new STEM Lab that GA helped to create through PAC donations. We shared the day holding a STEM focused science fair with 250 K through 8th grade students and faculty. |
| Patrick Smith | GA-ASI | Our Lady Of Perpetual Help School, Riverside CA | "Engineering is Elementary curriculum from Museum of Science, Boston. Teacher education for Engineering is elementary." | 10 Adelanto staff held a science fair at OLPH School in Riverside, California. The event was held in the new STEM Lab that GA helped to create through PAC donations. We shared the day holding a STEM focused science fair with 250 K through 8th grade students and faculty. |
| Laszlo Papp | GA-ASI | Our Lady Of Perpetual Help School, Riverside CA | "Engineering is Elementary curriculum from Museum of Science, Boston. Teacher education for Engineering is elementary." | 10 Adelanto staff held a science fair at OLPH School in Riverside, California. The event was held in the new STEM Lab that GA helped to create through PAC donations. We shared the day holding a STEM focused science fair with 250 K through 8th grade students and faculty. |