Let's Discover Physics!: Alison's Summer of Research I

Next up is my friend Alison W. (see photo of us below).  She's going to be a sophomore, majoring in Physics and calls home Kuna, ID.  Alison elected to stay on campus both during May Term and the summer to participate in summer research.  She is also living in Murray (like Millie).

The infamous Ha(il)ley Sandwich.  Alison W. is obviously the one in the center!

Here's what she had to say about her May Term:

"My may term consisted of two hours lecture in the morning plus a two hour "lab" session in the afternoon. The entire may term was focused on glass and glass research. We were taught all about phase diagrams, Q units, glassformers, and deformations. The lab portion of may term was focused on teaching us to use the equipment in the labs as well as how to make glass. We would spend the two hours making glass, and running the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), the Raman, or the DSC. By the end of may term, my class of ten people were supposedly ready to do internationally known research."

She is now spending the rest of the summer doing the internationally known research she mentioned.  Check back on Thursday to read the Q&A with Alison!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game: Kyle's Baseball Road Trip II

Before the Q&A, I've included two photos Kyle sent me.  

Also, he sent me the group photo:

(Kyle is bottom row, second from the right)

1. This May Term is called Writers Colony.  How intensive was the writing and what sorts of writing did you do?

The writing on the trip itself was very manageable because we were able to work at our own pace and we weren’t required to have any papers completely done during the trip. Once back at Coe, we had 4 days to complete the 3 major papers that were required of us. The 3 papers consisted of a segmented essay, which was when we wrote segments throughout the trip on a baseball topic and put them all together in the end. The second was about your favorite or most memorable experience or moment that happened on the trip. The third was a compilation of the trip in a blog, photo, or video format, which basically just explained our experiences as a whole on the trip.

2. Could you give us a brief look at how you found out about this May Term, how you registered, and any preparation you had to do before leaving?

I had heard from a few friends about them possibly doing a May Term this May and I thought that sounded interesting. I then went on to the My Coe website and checked out all of the available May Terms and this one just jumped right off the page. I was a huge baseball fan and this seemed like the perfect thing to do. Once looking into it more, I found out that I had to submit a 750-1000 word essay explaining what I want to learn on this trip and what I think I will learn on this trip to be able to enroll in the class. Once I was accepted, I simply had to fill out some paperwork and I was set. There wasn’t much preparation you had to do but it was recommended that you begin reading one of the 3 books that were required to purchase for this class.

3. What was the most memorable play you saw on your trip?

The most memorable play that I saw on the trip was when we saw a walk-off homerun by a Washington Nationals player to win a really close game that we saw in Washington D.C. The crowd was so excited and it was an unbelievable atmosphere after that play occurred.

4. What's one really interesting and or unique baseball fact you learned on your trip?

One really interesting thing that I learned on this trip is that in every game, one baseball is never used more than once. With every pitch, there is a brand new ball being used.

5. Did you get sick of ballpark food or now that you're back, are you craving those hot dogs and Cracker Jacks?

The ballpark food never really gets old, in my opinion. It’s so great and unique that eating on a consistent basis was not only easy, but also quite enjoyable. Now that I’m back to eating homemade meals, I do miss the taste and smells of those incredible ballpark dogs.

Iowa's Private College Week: COMING SOON

Dear Prospective Students reading this blog,

Why hello there!  I'm glad you're checking out this blog (I hope you're finding good information on it!!).  I just wanted to let you know about a GREAT opportunity to see Coe before school kicks off again.  From Monday, August 1st to Friday, August 5th, it's Iowa's Private College Week (IPCW).  This is a chance for prospective students to view any of the 29 private colleges in Iowa.  During the five days, students are encouraged to take tours at any of these colleges (such as Coe).  Tours happen at each college twice a day (9:00 AM and 1:30 PM) for that week.  It's easy to sign up on the website, you pick your itinerary, as flexible as you need it to be.  It's also a great website to check out colleges you might not have thought of on your college search process.

On a personal note, I participated in Iowa's Private College Week two years ago.  My mom, sister, and I visited a couple of other colleges and Coe College.  This was my first trip to Coe's campus and I had a great time.  I'll be posting more IPCW memories later so make sure to check back to read them (they're pretty good if you ask me).

Good luck on your search!

Hailley    

Take Me Out to the Ball Game: Kyle's Baseball Road Trip I

Now we'll look at the Writer's Colony May Term that happened in the United States.

THE FACTS:

• May Term traveler: Kyle, a fellow Tempestuous Season FYSer (so a sophomore this fall), from Dubuque, IA.  He plans to major in Accounting and Business Administration. 
• Where he went: To 12 different cities in the Midwest and on the East Coast to see 19 baseball games.
• Also was able to tour every city (didn't just see baseball games and parks!).
• Went with other Coe students and Writing Center advisor and Rhetoric professor, Dr. Bob.
• Gone for a little less than one month on this road trip. 

I put together a little slideshow of the teams Kyle saw.  Enjoy and check back on Thursday for a Q&A with Kyle!

Most images from Chris Creamer's website.  Cooperstown image from this site.  Thanks!

Home Away From Home: Millie's Summer Work Experience II

1. What's campus like in the summer?  Have you discovered any new gems on campus you hadn't discovered during the school year?

Campus is empty, but relaxing.  It's nice to be on campus and not have to worry about homework or class. Since I've started giving tours, I've learned about/visited some other random places on campus, such as the sneaky door behind the racquet ball courts, the Eby annex (I wandered around that area for the first time a couple weeks ago), the Physical Plant's offices and the area under the PUB (it'll be health services in the fall).  Now that I have more free time, I've also been exploring Cedar Rapids and I've discovered some gems in the city too--such as Aggie O'Shears, which is where I now get my hair cut. 

2. How and when did you line up your jobs?  Were they difficult to find?

I asked about the Racquet Center job in March, but was told all of the positions had been filled. About two weeks before school was out Coach Rodgers told me that someone backed out and that I could have the job if I wanted it. I was lucky!  The admission office emailed me and asked me to come in for a job interview.  I interviewed for a couple of positions and got the full-time tour guide job.  It wasn't too difficult to find positions on campus.  If I wouldn't have worked for the admission office or the raquet center, I would have worked for physical plant and the library.  

3. What are you favorite parts of your jobs?

Admission Office--meeting potential new students, telling them about my experiences on campus, and encouraging them to come to Coe. Working in the admission office is a blast--my coworkers are nice, I feel as though I'm contributing to Coe and I am able to learn more about the inner-workings of Coe.  

Racquet Center--I really enjoy the relaxing atmosphere (I can read while I work) and I'm also being inspired to work out more! 

4. Do you have any big plans for your spare time?

Over the summer I want to learn a little more about Cedar Rapids--how to get around, fun places to go, different places I should go for random emergencies.  So far, my favorite places in Cedar Rapids are the snow cone stand on Collins and two smoothie places--Nutri-Smoothie and Healthy Happenings.  I also hope to catch up on reading and watch some movies I missed out on during the year.  

5. Would you find a job on campus next summer?  Why or why not? 

Yes! I love being on campus during the summer.  It's the perfect break from a hectic year on campus.  Next year I hope to apply for jobs in some different offices so I can experience different aspects of campus.  Being here for the summer has allowed me to learn a lot about campus and about myself.  I'm glad I decided to stay!