BIG Day In - Industry Event for UTS Technology Students- Tuesday 7 May

Attention all UTS students studying a technology related degree, including research students. Are you seeking employment to compliment your studies? Or will you soon be seeking that industry role after years of investing in your education?

The Australian Computer Society (ACS) Foundation, understands that so few students know what roles and opportunities are available to them in IT, which is why the UTS IT student society created the Big Day In IT careers conference to be held at UTS on Tuesday 7 May.

First run at UTS in 2012 and attracting a massive 220 attendees, Big Day In is an IT careers conference with a difference – it’s organised, run and hosted by students, for students. The ACS Foundation facilitates leading speakers from companies such as Microsoft, Coca Cola, IBM, Westpac and WiseTech Global t o speak about the future of technology and how students can get involved in shaping the future.

We have observed there is a gap in delivering IT career info to students and believe the BEST way for them to get this information is to hear from people with unbeatable “been there, done that” experience. We believe in students and that they are ready to hear the difference between success and mediocrity. This is why we are throwing out the textbooks and are bringing phenomenal speakers from leading industry innovators to University Hall at UTS to talk about their career and how they got there.

As a result of the success of the previous Big Day In, we’re excited to announce that in 2013 we’re holding separate High School and University student conferences. The University Student exclusive Big Day In for 2013 will be held on 7 May at the Aerial Function Centre, UTS.

We would like to invite you to participate in this incredible opportunity to help build the movement of students who care about their careers and are taking action to get ahead now.

Visit the website now at www.thebigdayin.com.au and pick up your ticket for only $10.

Lunch and snacks will be supplied on the day so just bring yourselves along and find out what ICT could mean for you. 
 
Date: Tuesday 7 May 2013
Time: 9:00am-4:30pm (attend as you wish)
Location: Aerial Function Centre, Level 7 - Building 10, UTS Broadway Campus
Register: http://www.acs.org.au/networking-and-events/events/upcoming-events/event-details?eveID=30259625226819 

Best Regards,

Krystle Ng

2013 President IT Student Society

readmore »»  

Annual "IRE Biggest Loser Challenge"

Students of Iron Range Engineering held a general fitness competition during the spring 2013 semester. The goal for this competition was to encourage and give added incentive for students to stay in shape and be active during the winter months of the year.

There were three different challenges for students to compete in. The first was a presidential fitness competition in which all participants were tested on their strength, stamina and flexibility; evaluation was made by percent improvement at the end of the semester, which included both male and female victors.  The second challenge was evaluated by determining who had the greatest percentage body fat loss. This was managed by each student personally (via electric impedance scale provided by IRE), as to not invade privacy. The last challenge was based off of total time spent exercising. Each student interested in participating was required to record their time they spent during each work out and a small description of the workout.

The parameters will most likely change in the future to increase fairness, encourage participation and positive community morale.  The four winners of the competition received $150 Visa gift cards for their hard work and persistence. IRE intends to continue the Biggest Loser challenge next year and make it an annual tradition.

“For me life is continuously being hungry. The meaning of life is not simply to exist, to survive, but to move ahead, to go up, to achieve, to conquer.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger 

by Case Goodyear

readmore »»  

My First Semester Update

As my first semester here at IRE comes to a close, it is time to wrap all of the semesters deliverables up. Between project work, technical competencies, and professionalism, this list is fairly long! Here at IRE, we work to become efficient project managers. This not only comes from our semester long projects, but from managing and completing all these things in a short amount of time.

With that, the next few weeks will be quite busy. I am enjoying this semester and all the experiences I've had. I am also excited to return in the fall!

-Justin

readmore »»  

Building Update

The interior of new building has finally been completed. Now that the ribbon-cutting ceremony has been completed, the building has been officially opened for use. The machinery has been installed in the machine shop, and the project groups have settled into their project rooms. Here is a short photo tour of the building.

  

This is the south entrance in the building. Through the wooden door is the machine shop.

 

Just above the south entrance is a small sitting area.

 Here is the wall of commemorative plaques for the first and second groups of students to graduate from the Iron Range Engineering program.

 Situated near the west entrance is another plaque that thanks the individuals who helped contribute to the Iron Range Engineering program.

 

Here is a conference room that is available for all students and mentors to use.

 Inside the machine shop are the CNC machine (left) and lathing machine (right).

 There is also a water jet cutting machine sitting next to the lathing machine. On the left, the Wikispeed team is working on their vehicle.

Printed on the wall above the machine floor are the sponsors for the new building.

readmore »»  

Made to Stick

At the end of the day it can’t be all Fourier transforms and Navier-Stokes equations. Students at Iron Range Engineering work hard to be competent professionals as well as technical experts. This semester, that included reading the interesting and useful book “Made to Stick” by Chip and Dan Heath.

The book describes how to make a lasting impression. They say a successful idea has to be simple. The key to communicating simply is finding the core of the idea and sharing it. You want to strip away all of the excess fat that distracts from the main goal. By focusing on one thing you want people to pay attention to, you ensure that they take away at least one thing.

Put simply:

Find the core.

Share the core.

readmore »»  

WIKISPEED progress report

engineering-one Outsider blog post

Daniel Marshall 4-24-2013 

The semester has been flying by and many of the students and faculty are making greater use of the modeling lab and the new machining lab.  The WIKISPEED project team has been occupying a section of the machining lab to build the WIKISPEED SGT-04 car. 

After the WIKISPEED project team traveled to the Lynnwood Washington shop there was a realization that the team had to step back and redesign the scope of the current project. Many of the presumptions about the current WIKISPEED car were wrong and more engineering analysis was needed than thought.

The primary focus is now to redesign the steering setup to provide better handling, redesign the crush structure assembly, implement suspension improvements, and adapt the motor mounts to support the larger 2.0 liter Honda Civic engine.  The changes made to the cars design have been made with engineering excellence in mind.  The crush structures, along with many other project goals are nearing completion with the semester coming to an end. This has been achieved by setting aside time every Thursday for the team to go into the shop and work on design and fabrication of car components.

Completion of the items in the team scope will leave the fall 2013 WIKISPEED project team set up for a quick start.  The image below shows the current phase of construction of the WIKISPEED 100 mpg car and the testing done to determine the vibration characteristics of the crush zones and chassis structure.  The new machine lab is an awesome addition to Iron Range Engineering and will improve project based learning here at the Minnesota State University, Mankato extension campus.  

Steven Spooner & Ronnie Ulseth editors

readmore »»  

Scholarships Available - Anita Borg Institute - Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC) of Women in Computing, October 2 - 5, 2013

On behalf of the Anita Borg Institute and the Association for Computing Machinery, I would like to invite University of Technology, Sydney - Women in Engineering & IT students and staff to participate in the Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC), October 2 - 5, 2013 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minnesota, USA.

GHC is the world’s largest gathering of technical women in computing.  Technical women gather to network, find or be mentors, create collaborative proposals, and increase the visibility of women’s contributions to computing. We are expecting over 4,000 attendees this year. Here are some ways you, other faculty, and students can participate in GHC:

GHC Scholarships for Students and Faculty – Application Deadline: May 15^th

Undergraduate, graduate students and post-doctoral fellows from around the world are encouraged to apply. The GHC Scholarships for students cover a combination of conference registration, meals, lodging, and fixed amount of travel reimbursement funds. Faculty, at all levels, are also encouraged to apply. The GHC Scholarship for faculty covers conference registration only.

‘ABI’ Awards given at GHC – Nomination Deadline: May 15^th

Nominate a colleague for one of the awards given at GHC:

·       ‘ABI’ Award for Social Impact

·       ‘ABI’ Award for Technical Leadership

·       ‘ABI’ Denice Denton Emerging Leader Award

·       ‘ABI’ A. Richard Newton Educator Award

·       ‘ABI’ Change Agent Awards

Please let me know if you have any questions about the conference or these opportunities to participate.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Kindest regards,

Tina

Tina Pratt

Program Manager, Academic Initiatives and New Program Development

Anita Borg Institute 

+ 1 - 650.857.2419 OFFICE

tinap@anitaborg.org

www.anitaborg.org | www.gracehopper.org

Alternative Funding Opportunities
Please note: UTS students can apply for BUiLD grants (undergraduate and postgraduates) from UTS:International and Faculty researchers can apply for FEIT conference funding to present at these conferences.

readmore »»  

United Way Volunteers

A couple of weeks ago, seven Iron Range Engineering students volunteered to participate in the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota allocation panels. United Way of Northeastern Minnesota raised $913,286. Thirty-six agencies and programs from across the Iron Range sent in their applications to request funds. The thirty-six agencies were split across nine United Way panels, which consisted of eight to nine volunteers. Each volunteer read their panel’s four applications, made sight visits, and participated in the allocation interviews. This experience allowed us the opportunity to see how donations from the area are distributed and be a part of the decision making process as to what agencies will receive the money. The whole experience was very eye opening. We really got to see what our communities are all about and what the true need is. It also gave us the opportunity to learn more about United Way.

We learned that United Way focuses on the building blocks of life: education, income, health, and basic needs. They work to help children and youth achieve their potential, families and individuals become financially stable, to improve people’s health and wellbeing, and by supporting the transitional need for food, shelter, clothing, and safety.

United Way staff and volunteers raise additional funds for their initiatives throughout the year by holding events across the region:

·  Power of the purse

·  Bayview blast and arctic splash

·  Flavor of the north

·  Ride the range

·  Kooch County cruise

·  Hooked on talent

Besides raising money for their initiatives, United Way started and funds Imagination Library, Smiles Across Minnesota, and the Buddy Backpack Program.

Volunteering for United Way is a great way to give back to your community, which is an important part of being an engineer. Two Iron Range Engineering students were voted onto the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota board of directors at their annual campaign celebration dinner. To learn more about United Way or to volunteer visit UnitedWaynemn.org. 

Posted by: Katy Marking & Ron Ulseth

Proofread by: Emily Kilpatrick

readmore »»