I think I need to summarize our second project: professional inventions since this one really gives me an impressing experience. This time, the topic is pretty broad. Thus, we have enough space to let our imagination go. And out theme is about combining technology, or engineering, with arts.

At the very beginning, we didn’t have a single idea about what we were going to do. This idea comes from Michelle. The other group member, Yue Wen, ever wanted to invent some sort of automatic massage machine to cure Cervical Spondylosis. I seemed to be the least creative one in the group. My idea was about to find a way to use electrical engineering for environmental purposes (my major is environmental and the other two are electrical). Making a decision in a group was not so easy. Luckily, we agreed on Michelle’s topic at last. Although this thesis did not sound amazing, it could actually be spread in a surprising way. Our goal was to relate combining engineering and arts to Georgia Tech. Relying on our powerful left-brain modes of thinking, we analyzed the whole process of getting there. Since we wanted to mix both engineering and arts, we first needed to know the differences between them. Then we wanted to know why they were different and how to come across the significant differences to mix them.

Out presentation would start with a picture called “spinning lady”. This picture looked nothing special, but it was the achievement of Yale University after 5 years of studying human brain. According to the direction in which she was spinning in your eyes, we could get a general conclusion about your preference on using your brain.  Next was the introduction to human brain and its functions, especially the differences between the left and the right side. The reasons why we brought up this theme were in important part, which came after the introduction. Three aspects would be demonstrated: electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and civil engineering (or environmental engineering).  Two examples (one positive, one negative) would serve as supporting details to each reason. We were likely to take the example of Steven Jobs, an electrical engineer with arts background as the positive example for the first reason. The playbook by Blackberry may be the negative one.  As for mechanical engineering, automobiles would absolutely be good examples. And for civil engineering, the creative civil engineer Frank Wright was worth to consider. After the reasons, we would give our radical statement. We are still working on that.

 

One of the activities for chapter” empathy” in Daniel Pink’s book is about testing whether you are empathy, or emotional. I did that. Actually, I don’t know exactly how the test works, but basically the higher the score, the more “female” your brain tend to be. I scored 41.

It would be a little more common for a boy to get this score (in fact, such a score is even below the average for males) since the average score females get is around 47. But it didn’t surprise me a lot. I have been not likely to get emotional since I was young. However, this result does not mean I never get emotional. I think it just shows that it is not so easy for me to arouse emotion.

In my opinion, human brains should be more complex than just “male’s brain” and “female’s brain”. When I was doing the EQ test, I met a question like this:” I am quick to spot when someone in a group is feeling awkward or uncomfortable.” I am supposed to choose one answer from “strongly agree”,”slightly agree”, “slightly disagree” and “strongly disagree”. As I stared at this question, I could tell how my answer would affect the result. If I answered “disagree”, the result would be kind of led to “male’s brain” because generally females are better on registering subtle emotional changes of people. If I answered “agree”, then it was more possible that the result would be “female’s brain”. Another question asked about whether seeing people cry made me upset. Actually, it doesn’t. For this question, an “agree” answer would lead the final result to female and a “disagree”, opposite. It is not necessary that a person answers “agree” for the first question, which may indicate the person tend to be female for this problem, chooses “agree” again, which may imply the “male’s brain” part is active. For me, although I can spot a person’s emotional change, I don’t really get sad when someone is crying in front of me until I know more about the person. So I think how our brain work should be much more complicated. Thus, dividing human brains into two categories might not be so accurate.

I also did the SQ test and got a 34 (maybe my brain really prefers a “male” way to work). Again, I don’t think my brain is absolutely like a boy’s brain. Brain structure is one of the most mysterious things in the world. So how empathy is aroused can not be so simple. We may never figure out the secret of brain,but it is why human brain is so powerful and amazing.

After reading the story part in Dan’s book, I decided to perform the photo story one. Here is  a picture I got from google.

scu.uwe.ac.uk

My story goes like this:

Jane and Mark are classmates. Jane is a shy girl. She even does not talk in front of people. Everyone in the class knows that,including Mark.  Mark is a trouble maker. He likes to  see people get embarassed by his tricks. Jane, a girl who never grasps others’ attention, of course,becomes his biggest target. Jane loves tea so she drinks tea at school every day. One day, betweeen two classes, Mark put a earthworm into Jane’s teacup. When the class began, Jane took up her cup and drank. At that time, she found the long sticky earthworm in her cup. She screamed. All the students turned around, looked at her and then bursted to laughter. This brought a blush to Jane’s cheeks. From then on, Jane decided to let Mark taste the feelings of being fooled someday.

Jane finally found a chance. At noon, when everybody was having lunch in the dining hall, Jane saw Mark putting a cup of coffee on a table and heading for a burger. She grabbed a half bottle of salt on the table and poured it into Mark’s coffee as quickly as she could, and then went away. After Mark came back, he laughed at a boy’s new hair style and began to drink his ‘ tasty coffee’. At the instance when the coffee reached his mouth, he spat and shouted:”What’s this disgusting stuff??” Other students first paused and then bursted to laughter. Jane could not help but laughing with others. Mark ran away with a scarlet face. Since then, Mark never made a fool of other students.

Realizing I haven’t done any systemic research for my major: Environmental Engineering, I assigned myself to know more about this major in a comprehensive way by gathering all kinds of information. Here is what I got and organized.

 Points of interests

Environmental engineers perform important work that insures the safety and wellbeing of the general public. This is one of the points that interest people considering this career. They are attracted by the possibilities the job offers to make a difference in the world’s environment. Another interesting characteristic of the job is its multidisciplinary nature. There are a number of different fields of study and expertise that play into this job. One of the main areas of interest is, of course, engineering. Environmental engineers employ engineering principles in their work frequently, as they are often called on to design municipal or industrial systems.

My comments: These two points both attract me largely. Thinking about the positive change of surroundings I may be able to make, thinking about the development of people’s life due to a better environment, I feel a great sense of satisfaction (although I haven’t learned how to achieve that). Also, requirements for multidisciplinary skills excite me. Learning different types of techniques is one of the best things in the world since you can come into contact with varies of things. Each of them may have some certain charm and if you try to combine them, you can discover even more amazing facts. So the way to probe this area is not fixed. It is unlike Electrical Engineering, which needs a lot of electric physics but hardly ever biology; it is unlike Mechanical Engineering which requires a lot of mechanics but seldom chemistry; it is unlike computer engineering which requires a lot of programming but nearly no geography. Environmental Engineering is such a discipline with subtle charms that entice you to explore it.

What does an Environmental Engineer do?

Consulting with industrial companies

Environmental engineering technicians consult with industrial corporations on developing production methods that both comply with environmental laws and which are energy and cost efficient.

Soil and underground water testing

Environmental engineers are often involved in testing soil and groundwater for industrial waste and contaminants. Having an in depth knowledge of industrial production allows an environmental engineer both to diagnose the causes of pollution and design practical and workable means of remedying the problem.

Working with municipal and industrial wastewater systems

Environmental engineers work with corporate and governmental organizations insuring that the systems (drinking, plumbing, power generation ,for instance using steam turbines, wastewater, cooling processes, and so on)meet legal requirements for clean operations as well as use water in the most efficient manner.

Data analysis

Once environmental or industrial data of various types is gathered it must be analyzed. This is where environmental engineers often come in. They perform the analysis of the data. They may use data analysis programs and various analytical techniques to arrive at various conclusions based on the data. They often then write reports with recommendations for engineering approaches based on the conclusions they have drawn from the information.

Quality control checks

Once industrial systems are in place they must be maintained and retested to make sure they remain in compliance with existing legislation. Environmental technicians thus implement quality control inspections to verify this.

Conducting studies

When large scale studies of various industrial sectors or environmental areas are needed, environmental engineers are often called on to perform this process or at least participate in it. They compile data from a number of sources and write thorough and lengthy reports on the topics in question. These topics for instance may include ozone issues, global warming, acid rain, ocean pollution, etc.

What skills or qualities are required to become an Environmental Engineer?

Engineers must, of course, be able to complete all the necessary educational and professional requirements to become engineers at all. This indicates an intelligence type that is analytical, detail oriented and inquisitive. Creativity is also a necessary trait as it feeds into creative problem solving. Interpersonal skills are also highly necessary, as engineers almost always work with teams and other departments. Language – spoken and written – is also necessary due to not only the teaming aspect of an environmental engineer’s job but also because of the necessity to communicate findings, present recommendations, etc. in written form.

How much can an Environmental Engineer make?

Salaries are highly dependent on how skilled one is at negotiation, experience, policies at your employer, location, and more besides. The estimated picture is below:

What are the top cities for Environmental Engineering jobs?

According to one source of information, the highest number of environmental engineers are employed in the state of Colorado by far. According to another source of information, the highest number of job openings seems to be in the state of California, which also happens to be the top-paying state for environmental engineers. There are a number of US cities where one could go to practice environmental engineering, but much depends on what types of organizations are hiring. For example, the military and government entities may be hiring while consulting and engineering firms are as well. As mentioned above, these represent the two largest employers of environmental engineers.

What are some training, other qualifications and advancement?

Bachelor’s degree programs

Typically a Bachelor level degree in environmental engineering or a related field is required in order to be hired at entry level positions. Often this simply takes the form of a degree from an accredited (accreditation is given by ABET – the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) four year college or university that offers environmental engineering as a concentration.

Master’s degree programs

Courses in environmental engineering are often also taken at the Masters level. These degrees are typically set up as five or six year programs. The programs often feature a practicum or field work portion in addition to the courses that are taken. These Master’s degree programs are helpful to students because not only do they qualify them for higher paying positions, but also allow the student to begin earning money and gaining practical experience while in school.

Licensing

In the US, individuals must be licensed in order to serve as lead environmental engineers. The requirements for becoming licensed go beyond completing a Bachelor’s or Master’s level engineering program. The student must also gain four years of field experience and pass the licensing exam given by their state. They must have already received the “professional engineer” title through their educational program and work experience before qualifying to take the exam. Since students need to actually be paid while working in the field, the following approach is often implemented: the students complete their initial degree, and then take a preliminary exam that, if passed, confers the title “engineer in training.” They then use this designation to get hired and take care of the practical field work requirement. When this has been accomplished they take a second state exam to receive their license and professional engineer title.

Employment

Environmental Consultant for Corporations

As mentioned above, many environmental engineers do consulting for corporations that are at risk of polluting the environment with their production processes or who seek to streamline this process. The streamlining is often as much about becoming more financially efficient as well as more environmentally responsible and compliant. An engineer may be hired by a consulting firm or do consulting on his or her own in an independent contract manner.

Engineering Consultant

There is also a need for environmental engineers in the initial phases of construction and engineering projects. New companies need engineers to consult with them on the most efficient ways to set up production or energy systems that are environmentally legal and workable. Again, this may be done on a contract basis with an individual environmental engineer or by hiring a consulting company which in turn hires the engineer.

Government Work

Another large group of clients in need of the services of environmental engineers are government bodies and organizations. These bodies may be involved in regulation of various industries and need qualified engineers to make assessments as to the compliance of these industries.

Energy Generation

Energy companies often hire or consult with environmental engineers due to the highly technical nature of energy generation and the environmental hazards and issues involved. Thus this is a significant area of employment for environmental engineering professionals.

Utility Companies

Utility companies also represent a significant demand area in which engineers can be hired. Water, gas companies, electrical power, and telephone and other communications networks all need to consult with environmental engineers.

Data and information are from the following website:

www.mypursuit.com

www.onlinedegrees.org

Azure sky, crimson petals, endless oceans … have you ever been attracted by the beauty of the nature? Since I was a little girl, all the plants, animals, breezes, even soil nearby have never stopped appealing to me. Now I am already at college, majoring environmental engineering, and everything about the nature seems to be more interesting.

I was not so sure to choose environmental engineering before. Actually, I am interested in many different things. At primary school and high school, my favorite subjects were always math, physics and biology. But that did not mean those were all I liked. Creative writing also makes me excited. I began to write short stories at the age of seven (I can still remember my first story was about a little turtle). When I stepped into junior high school, I got more chances to write since there were many composition contests. However, I found these contests too restricted sometimes (or I just couldn’t write for competing). Without hesitating, I got back to my free writing life, creating only for interest. My love in the nature was my source of writing. In the morning, I walked in the park, either sitting under the tree or feeling the cool dews on the grass and returned back to record what I saw and felt. That was once a part of my life, before I was immersed in the preparation for high school entrance exam.

Besides writing, I also like drawing and designing. I ever thought about becoming a fashion designer. Again, the nature helped me a lot. I started drawing with the potted plant on my desk. Then I drew more and more, better and better. Birds, shells, clouds…I drew everything within sight. It seems that drawing is one of the best ways to touch the nature.

Perhaps the closest way to see the nature is traveling. My parents took me to different places every year. The scenes varied significantly from area to area. I visited thirteen countries and each of them has impressed me in a unique way. I lingered in the golden sunset in France, in the sea of sakura in Japan, in the ripple of Rhine River in Germany, in the shimmer of the snow of the Alps in Switzerland. Embracing the nature, you can feel your soul is purified.

I don’t really know what to do  in the  future yet, even if I am going to learn about the nature, which has always meant so much to me, in a deep and comprehensive way. Maybe I will fight with environmental pollution. Maybe I will be an environmental counselor. Who knows? Well, there is one thing for sure: I love the nature and I will follow my heart.

 

 

Pictures are from wunderground.comand hongkiat.com

Yesterday I watched the TEDtalks delivered by Cameron Herold again because I found the points he brought up really valuable. Cameron was not a “good” student when he was young. He got bored at school. He failed classes. I believe no one would ever imagine such a indocile boy could be one of North America’s most innovative entrepreneurs,  building his company from $2 million to $105 million in six years. His schievement today depends largely on the  leading of his father.He showed his traits of a entrepreneur in his early years and his father found out this. His son might not be a person like everybody, following the same way of life. Then Cameron began to do business, something he really fit in. Following this way turned out to be a right way for him.

For children who don’t show too much interest in school work, why do we have to force them to do a bunch of meaningless homework, to stay up late to review the upcoming test, to get As on a transcript? If the children have traits for, say, business, why do we have to tell them to be doctors or lawyers? Differnt people have different characteristics and they have the right to follow their hearts. In some areas in the world, steretypical concepts shape people’s minds. Personalty is suppressed. That’s why lots of teenagers feel painful to be at school or to follow some of the teacher’s instructions. They tried variegated ways to react to that. They may fight with others. They may contradict their teachers or seniors. They may get addicted to the internet. Even worse, a part of them tried to end their own life.

The standard for a sucessful person is not set the same. Shouldn’t we encourage children to flourish in various fields? Most parents and teachers may say they want the teenagers to do whatever they like, but actually not many put it into practice. Just don’t put so much restriciton. Let them fly.