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STUDENT PREPARATION

2012 Exhibit Description/Questions

 
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CONTACT INFORMATION:

Nan Katona, High Tech Fair Program Manager

nankatona@cox.net

 

Carin Holliday, Project Coordinator
hightechfair@sdsa.org

619.400.9777

 


 

 

             

 

 

 

Exhibit Description / Prep Questions

Students should spend time preparing for their interactions with exhibitors prior to attending the High Tech Fair.   50+ STEM organizations will be represented; companies will be grouped by industry. 

Below is a brief description of each exhibit followed by questions relating to their demonstration.  Students are encouraged to select and research at least 4 companies prior to their visit.


SPONSORED BY:

  Gen-Probe Logo

The science of using living things, and components of living things, to produce goods and services. It involves manipulating and modifying organisms, often at the molecular level, to create new and practical applications for agriculture, medicine and industry.

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BIOCOM Institute - When Good Genes Go Bad! Students will learn about the relationship between genes and physical characteristics. They will determine their phenotype for the PTC gene, and model the genetic variation in the gene in the population. Students will also explore what happens in the case of genetic mutation and other anomalies.

Student Preparation:  

  1. What is biotechnology, and what does biotechnology aim to accomplish?
  2. What is PTC and what governs your ability to taste PTC?
  3. What are genes?
  4. What is a genetic disorder?
  5. Name one disorder that results from the inheritance of bad genes?

2012 GOLD Sponsor

   Genentech logo


Genentech  - We will take the kids through a mini manufacturing process. Starting with gowning, the kids will get an idea of what a "clean" environment means and why it's important. Also we will have some computer monitors with the automation process and mini bioreacters to display our manufacturing on a mini level. We will also have a large TV to showcase videos from the past year.

Student Preparation: 

  1. What is the difference between a biotech company and a pharmaceutical company?
  2. Why is Quality Control an important function in a biotech company?
  3. Why is it important to monitor the environment inside a biopharmaceutical plant?
  4. What is the difference between fermentation and cell culture?
  5. Why mammalian cells are preferred over bacteria when making large biochemical?
  6. How do the cells make the medicine?
  7. What is the difference between a peptide and a protein? How do you separate the two?

Human Biomolecular Research Institute (HBRI) - The Human BioMolecular Research Institute exhibit will illustrate the general tools used in modern molecular biology and biochemistry research. Visual and hands on demonstrations of molecular biology and biochemistry will allow students to experience the scientific concepts they are studying in the classroom.

Student Preparation:  
Write a one page proposal describing a life-science project that you would like to do if you are a life scientist.  The proposal should include:
  1. What is the goal of this research?
  2. Why is it important to do this research?
  3. How do you plan to accomplish the goal step by step?
  4. How long do you think it will take you to finish the research project?
  5. How much research funding do you need to complete the project?

 San Diego American Association for Laboratory Animal Science - BioMedical Research is the broad area of science that involves the investigation of the biological process and the causes of disease through careful experimentation, observation, laboratory work, analysis and testing. We will have an example of the arm budding stage in frogs for comparison with the human fetal development.

Student Preparation:

  1. What is a Xenopus Laevis?
  2. Why are Xenopus used in research?
  3. What is a limb bud?
  4. What phase of human development is similar between humans and Xenopus?
  5. What is Biomedical Research?
  6. How does Biomedical Research touch your life?

San Diego Mesa College - Displays with hands-on experiments in Biology, Chemistry and Physics as well as general information for science-related careers.

Student Preparation:  

  1. What is the most obvious purpose and advantage of the Scientific Method?
  2. Compare and contrast the Scientific Method and the legal system as they relate to the discovery of truth.
  3. Why does a diet soda can float, whereas the regular soda can sink?
  4. When an ice skater spins around on one skate, how does he/she change their rate of rotation? What physical principle does the skater rely on?
  5. Why does the sky appear blue during the day? Why does the sky appear red at sunrise or sunset?

San Diego Miramar College - Gene Chips and You:  Explore your unique genetic profile with a hands-on activity that demonstrates the power of DNA to identify you.

Student Preparation:

  1. What is DNA?
  2. What is a gene?
  3. How many copies of each gene do you have?
  4. What does it mean for a gene to be dominant?

San Diego Workforce Partnership - We will provide a hands-on demonstration of a lab activity taught by our summer Life Sciences Summer Institute and Introductory Life Sciences Experience interns.

Student Preparation:  

  1. What is DNA?
  2. What is life sciences and what does it mean to you?
  3. What is the average salary of someone working in the life sciences industry?

The Scripps Research Institute  - Olson/Molecular Graphics lab: Scientists and students in our outreach programs will showcase rapid prototyping technology and its use in biomedical research and the development of new medicines.

Student Preparation:  

  1. How can we use the information about the molecular structures of biological molecules?
  2. Place these biological objects in order of size, from smallest to largest: a)  a virus; b) a red blood cell; c) a sugar molecule; d) a bacteria; e) a protein molecule
  3. What experimental methods allow us to see biological molecules?
  4. If you stretched out the DNA in one of your cells into a straight line, how long would it be? (Hint human DNA has about 3 billion nucleotide bases.
  5. True of false a virus is a living thing?



SPONSORED BY:



Clean Technology applies science and engineering solutions to three critical areas: reducing the consumption of energy and natural resources; reducing waste and harmful emissions; and harnessing renewable energy and materials for sustainable development.

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BP – Demonstrating the conversion of energy grasses to fermentable sugars for the production of bioethanol.

Student Preparation:

  1. Why do we need biofuels?
  2. What are energy grasses and why are they a good feedstock for biofuel production?
  3. What is cellulose and how is it different from starch?
  4. Challenge question: What is the theoretical yield of ethanol from one metric ton of glucose?

California Center for Sustainable Energy - Hands-on lessons to teach students about energy, global climate change and sustainable living.

Student Preparation:

  1. Name three types of sustainable (renewable) energy.
  2. Define energy efficiency.
  3. What is meant by a green job?
  4. List three things that you can do now to help the environment.

General Atomics Energy/Fusion Education - The fundamental science of plasma physics and fusion energy will be presented.  Interactive components of the booth will include Tesla coils, human-powered generator, electromagnets, infrared camera.

Student Preparation:  

  1. Plasma (ionized gas) is often called the 4th state of matter.  Give 3 examples of plasma.
  2. Nuclear fusion is an element-building process inside stars.  How do we rely on nuclear fusion?
  3. How might changing magnetic fields produce other magnetic fields?

Hydrogen Power Systems - We'll demonstrate how Electrolysis can be used to extract Hydrogen from water, then use that Hydrogen to improve the fuel economy of and reduce pollution from Diesel and Gasoline powered vehicles.  Yes, There is Fire in Water!

Student Preparation:  

  1. Gasoline is a fuel that propels a car down the road, but what part of the gasoline actually generates the energy that moves the car, and what part of the gasoline creates the soot (pollution) you see at the end of the tail pipe?
  2. Why is gasoline called a hydrocarbon fuel?
  3. What exactly is a hydrocarbon?
  4. What is Electrolysis and how can it be used to generate Hydrogen? 
  5. What is the difference between distilled water and bottled drinking water?  
  6. Why won’t pure distilled water work in an electrolytic reaction?
  7. What’s the difference between hydrogen fuel cell car and a hydrogen powered car? 
  8. What gases are generated when you use an electric charge to split water?
  9. What is an electrolyte?
  10. What is an acid?
  11. Can an electrolyte be an acid an alkaline, or both?
  12. Is lemon juice acidic or alkaline?

J. Craig Venter Institute - We will be exhibiting an activity titled "Microbiomes: From Sewage to Seawater and Beyond".  This will be an interactive exhibit on the DiscoverGenomics! Bus featuring hands on activities related to understanding microbial genomics, metagenomics of microbial communities, and how to put those microbial communities to work in various applications including microbial fuel cells or the production of probiotics for improved human health.

Student Preparation:   

  1. How many different types of microorganisms live in soils, sediments, and/or water bodies? And what new area of research was developed at JCVI to study these microorganisms?
  2. What is a Winogradsky Column?  Who invented it, when, and why?

  3. What is a mud battery and how does it work?

  4. How is the mud battery an example of clean technology?  What are other examples of bacteria being used for clean technology?

  5. How can metagenomics be used as a tool to improve clean technologies?

San Diego Renewable Energy Society - SDRES sponsors a spring event, the Junior Solar Sprint, in conjunction with the national organization, American Solar Energy Society. Middle School students will compete building solar cars in teams. The booth will provide info about the event to middle school students and teachers.

Student Preparation: 
  1. Why is solar energy considered an important source of energy?
  2. What is the difference between active and passive solar technologies?
  3. What technologies use solar energy?
  4. What are some factors to be considered in designing a solar car?

SDG&E - We will have a plug in electric vehicle along with materials for customers on electric vehicle rates and spend time discussing what is an electric vehicle to the students and parents. Our premise is "education and outreach".

Student Preparation:  

  1. How many kilo watt hours (kwh) of energy are in a gallon of gas and how many kwhs are used per mile in a 36 mile per gallon car?

  2. How many kwh does an electric vehicle use per mile for a typical sedan?
  3. Where can electric vehicles get energy from?

Synthetic Genomics - At Synthetic Genomics, we are creating genomic-driven commercial solutions to

revolutionize many industries. We have started by focusing on energy, but we imagine a future where our science could be used to produce a variety of products, from synthetically derived vaccines to prevent human diseases to efficient cost effective ways to create clean drinking water. The world is dependent on science and we're leading the way in turning novel science into life-changing solutions.

Student Preparation: 

  1. What are algae?
  2. What do you eat that is made of algae?
  3. What do you think algae eat?
  4. What is photosynthesis?
  5. Why are these questions important, and how do they fit together?

The Energy Coalition - Students will get a glimpse of what it means to live in a sustainable way and discover exciting world of green careers. See how can your talents can be utilized to make this planet a better place!

Student Preparation:  

  1. What is a green career?
  2. What is sustainability?
  3. Think of at least 5 ways you can "green up" your home.
  4. Think of at least 3 jobs that contribute to increasing sustainability.
  5. What are your 3 top talents or strengths that your future employer may find useful?

TESLA Tesla Motors developed the world's first commercially available high performance all electric sports car - the Tesla Roadster. Tesla electric vehicle technology is now used in a number of electric cars from several manufactures. Our booth will display a Tesla Roadster (one of only 1600 such cars in existence). Visitors to the booth will be able to see the car, view the battery and motor, and ask questions.

Student Preparation:  

  1. What is the difference between a hybrid car and an electric car?
  2. Why can a Tesla electric car accelerate faster than most gas powered or hybrid cars?
  3. How fast can a Tesla Roadster charge its batteries?
  4. Who was Nikola Tesla, and what did he invent?


 

SPONSORED BY:   

BP Logo

Focus on current and future conservation of our natural resources; the science and technology of sustaining our wildlife, forests, coastlines and oceans; and technological advances in farming that help better serve the needs of the public while protecting the environment and increasing output.

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Ambassador Programs Inc. -  We are presenting a hands-on demonstration of bird beak adaptations.

Student Preparation:
  1. Which adaptation is the most effective for successful feeding in a given environment?
  2. Relate these adaptations to a global cultural awareness and identify the cultural adaptations that might be necessary to effectively function in a global environment?
Birch Aquarium at Scripps  - Investigate the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy sources with hands-on activities.  Learn how we can power our lives in a healthy way by generating electricity from sun, wind, and ocean resources.

Student Preparation:
  1. What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable sources of energy?  Name one example of each.
  2. Place your hand near the fluorescent and incandescent light bulbs (DO NOT TOUCH).  Do you feel a difference?  Which bulb is warmer and why?
  3. Look at the solar panel and turn it over to see how many watts of power it generates.  Use the appliance power poster to find out what appliance(s) one solar panel could power.  How many solar panels are needed to power a hair dryer?
  4. What is one form of technology that has been developed that uses wind as a renewable energy source to power something in your home.
Carlsbad Aquafarm - Students will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge of aquaculture. They'll learn to understand the necessary balance between the demand for responsibly aquacultured seafood production and the preservation of our oceans' resources. We also hope to inspire students to further their studies in the marine sciences.

Student Preparation:
 
  1. In aquatic systems, what are some examples of primary producers and primary consumers? How might this information help determine what types of species are good candidates for aquaculture?
  2. What is the impact of an average increase in the number of trophic levels in aquatic systems relative to terrestrial systems with regards to aquaculture?
  3. What is ocean acidification and how might that impact aquaculture?
  4. Do you understand what sustainable means when it comes to seafood and aquaculture and why it’s important?
  5. How are oysters and mussels beneficial to a estuarine environment? What are the negative side effects of wild harvesting shellfish?
City of San Diego Environmental Monitoring and Technical Services - Our exhibit is a demonstration of the recycled water treatment process that includes discussion of the beneficial reuses of recycled water, and includes a real-time view of the role of microorganisms in the wastewater treatment process.   The exhibit will showcase the City of San Diego’s Water Purification Demonstration Project, which is examining the use of advanced water purification technology to provide safe and reliable water for San Diego’s future.

Student Preparation:  
  1. What is recycled water?  How can recycled water be used to enhance our water supply?
  2. What are the main stages of treatment at a water reclamation plant?  What role do microorganisms play in the wastewater treatment process? 
  3. What is Indirect Potable Reuse of water and why may it play a role in the future of the San Diego region?
  4. What are some of the concerns that people have with the idea of turning wastewater into drinking water?
  5. What are some of the pros and cons of turning seawater into drinking water (desalination) vs. turning recycled water into drinking water (indirect potable reuse)?
County of San Diego Vector Control Program - The County of San Diego - Vector Control Program’s booth will be displaying various vectors and vector-borne diseases that can be found throughout San Diego County. Our goal is to educate students what a vector is and how to protect themselves from contracting any of the diseases any vector can transmit. We will provide informational pamphlets and a vector ecologist will be there to answer any specific questions someone may have.

Student Preparation:   

  1. What is a vector?
  2. What diseases do ticks transmit?
  3. Name 3 ways to protect yourself from vector-borne diseases?
Marine Ecology &  Biology Student Association and Coastal & Marine Institute Laboratory at SDSU - The Coastal and Marine Institute Laboratory (CMIL) will exhibit a variety of tools scientists use to study plants and animals that live in the ocean. We will have two marine communities for students to observe and study, including live animals from the rocky intertidal zone and a simulated eelgrass community. We will challenge students to use provided tools to answer a question about each community. We will provide a wide range of technologies for students to interact with, including SCUBA gear, animal behavior videos, fish swim-tunnels, “robo-mussels”, plankton nets, environmental and physical monitoring instruments, a microscope, quadrats, temperature loggers and more.

Student Preparation:  
  1. What are some of the ways to determine the abundance and health of populations of organisms in the marine environment?
  2. What adaptations do prey have to respond to predators? What adaptations do predators have to consume prey?
  3. Other than having lots of cool things to look at, what is the importance of diversity in the ocean?
  4. How do marine ecologists observe species interactions in the field?
  5. What are some challenges of working in the marine environment?
San Diego Coastkeeper - San Diego Coastkeeper will engage students in investigation of water pollution, and ask them to help us count bacteria colonies in prepared sample trays from our water monitoring lab. This activity pertains to our Project SWELL curriculum, which facilitates teacher training for K-6 grade San Diego lessons about stewardship and pollution prevention.

Student Preparation: 
  1. What are some indicators of good water quality?
  2. What are some indicators of bad water quality?
  3. Name the two types of bacteria used as indicators for poor water quality. Why are they considered a threat to human health?
  4. How does the San Diego public find out about water quality in their neighborhood or beach?
San Diego Natural History Museum - The biodiversity of plants and animals makes up important ecological component holding our environment in balance. The San Diego Natural History Museum studies the biodiversity of our region and documents the distributions and life histories of plants and animals. Currently, we are studying how biodiversity has changed over the last one hundred years.

Student Preparation:  
  1. How do scientists access the biodiversity of a region or the distribution of any single species?
  2. What kind of information is collected using GIS technology?
  3. Name three types of regional ecosystems found in southern California?

  4. What kind of information is found in the collections of natural history museums?
  5. How do we determine if a species is Endangered?

San Diego Zoo Global - Bioinspiration, or biomimicry, is a field of integrative study in which biological systems, processes, and elements are studied to draw analogies to be applied to human design challenges in a sustainable manner. Visit this exhibit to see technologies that have been inspired by nature and learn about the unique adaptations found in nature that could inspire the products of tomorrow.

Student Preparation:   
  1. What is biomimicry?
  2. What are some examples of products that have been developed using biomimicry?
  3. What types of things are scientists researching currently in this field?
  4. What is San Diego Zoo Global doing with biomimicry and why are they invovled?
  5. What schools can I go to study or apply biomimicry?
San Diego Zoo's Institute for Conservation Research - We will have an interactive display with opportunities to contribute to broader datasets regarding endangered wildlife conservation and the science of saving species.

Student Preparation:

  1. What are our six main areas of research?

  2. Why might conservation researchers be interested in animal scents?

  3. What can camera traps tell conservation researchers about remote habitats?

  4. Why are microphone arrays even more informative than camera trap arrays?

  5. What other subjects (besides biology) are involved in conservation research?

Sea World -  Sea World San Diego opened a new

sea turtle exhibit this past summer called Turtle Reef. This new exhibits highlights sea turtle conservation issues through interactive display such as the exciting “Race to the Beach” video game and a wall sized turtle-tracking touch screen with detailed tracking data. Sea World and SeaWorld/Hubbs Research Institute will display and describe the challenges and rewards of rescuing, releasing, and tracking these incredible animals.


Student Preparation:   
  1. What are some ways that sea turtles are tracked?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each tracking method?
  3. Why is information about sea turtle movements important to species conservation?
UCSD K-16 Programs - We represent K-16 programs at UCSD.  We will have pictures, flyers and brochures of all of the programs we offer to students for which they earn college prep units and an official transcript from UC San Diego.  We now offer year round programming in addition to our well-known and respected Academic Connections three-week residential program that is now in its 12th year.

Student Preparation:   

  1. We have all heard about “STEM” as Science, Technology, Engineering and Math and how important it is for students to be well grounded in them.  Have you heard about “STE[+a]M™ STE[+a]M™?”  What does it mean?  How important is it?


Engineering
SPONSORED BY: 

Goodrich logo

Focus on the application of science to practical uses such as the design of structures, machines, and systems.

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Air Group One, Commemorative Air Force - Booth explaining and offering Aviation-oriented STEM hands-on programs for youth. Features a real airplane students can really get up close-and-personal with to experience real engineered aviation equipment. Instructors always available.

Student Preparation:   

  1. Which theories are used by engineers to make sure that heavy boats float and heavy airplanes fly?
  2. What forces act on an airplane during normal takeoff or landing?
  3. What parts of a plane make it turn?
  4. How would a pilot maintain control of an airplane at night or when they are inside of a cloud?

2012 BRONZE Sponsor  

BAE logo


BAE SYSTEMS Inc - We would demonstrate image processing and measurements of land areas and distances using aerial photogrammetric software (GXP) that BAE SYSTEMS produces in San Diego.

Student Preparation:  

  1. What is remote sensing, and can you name some examples? Is the camera on our remote-controlled helicopter an example of active or passive remote sensing?
  2. What forces are acting on the remote-controlled helicopter, and where do they come from?
  3. What is photogrammetry?
  4. How do the shutter glasses trick your brain into seeing the 3D images?
  5. Using the stereo imagery, can you tell what are the highest points on Point Loma? How tall is the hotel on the bay?

GEOCON - Demonstration of liquefaction.

Student Preparation:  

  1. What are the names of the earthquake faults near or in San Diego?
  2. Why are there always lots of scuba divers at La Jolla Shores (hint – it has to do with faults)?
  3. Where would you guess soil liquefaction would happen if we had a big earthquake in San Diego?
  4. How would you guess contamination gets into the soil and groundwater?
  5. What are the most common soil and groundwater contaminates?
  6. Why do we want to get the contaminates out of the soil and groundwater?

Goodrich Aerostructures - An overview of the design, analysis and manufacturing considerations for making a nacelle that surrounds the turbofan jet engine on commercial aircraft.

Student Preparation:  

  1. What does it take to make a nacelle? -What does a nacelle do?
  2.  What are the parts of a nacelle?
  3.  What are the steps in making a nacelle?
  4.  What are the challenges in nacelle design?

Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE – Professional Group) – Electrical and related Engineering

Student Preparation:

The Enigma Machine

  1. What is an enigma?

  2. Why is enigma a good name for a cryptographic device?
  3. What role did the Enigma Machine play in World War II?

  4. What was Bletchley Park?

The Vibrating Rod

  1. What is a node? An anti-node?
  2. Why does the rod vibrate better when held at the node?
  3. What is a sine wave? List some places where you seen them.

  4. Why are vibrating rods important to Electrical Engineers?

Engineering

  1. What is an engineer?
  2. How do electrical engineers effect your life?
  3. What skills, knowledge and education are required to become an engineer?

 

Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE – UCSD Student Group)We will be showcasing a variety of student hands on circuit building. One of our demos, let students discover how circuits can be made out of all shapes, sizes, and materials with squishy circuits. Through these demos students can learn the basis for how all their favorite electronic gadgets work!

Student Preparation:  

  1. What does it mean to have a closed circuit?
  2. How does a conductor and insulator work?
  3. What is electricity?
  4. How is a parallel circuit different to a series circuit?
  5. Name 3 things you use that: 1)converts electricity to light,2)converts electricity into mechanical movement, 3)converts electricity into heat.

2012 SILVER Sponsor

lockheed-martin.jpg

Lockheed Martin –  Lockheed Martin is a global security company that is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services to help customers achieve their most challenging goals.

Using Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) products, we will simulate the unmanned vehicle experience with the students.  With technological advances, an increased availability, a decrease in footprint available in the field, and a reduction in cost, more sophisticated sensors are more readily available. This exhibit will demonstrate the human machine interface the war fighter could use to satisfy mission requirements and provide functions and/or services.  This is accomplished using commercially available products that are on cutting edge of technology, but also lower in cost, which supports decreases in customer budgets. 

Student Preparation:  

  1. What is a sensor?
  2. Give an example of a sensor and its use.
  3. Give two examples of COTS items that have two or more sensors integrated into a single product?
  4. Where could unmanned technology be used?
  5. Give an example of where unmanned technology is currently being deployed.

Northrop Grumman –  Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.

We will feature technology that protects the warfighter and supports our military: We will:

  • Demonstrate how the design of an aircraft or a ship makes it more or less detectible by radar/sonar.  Students will hold different shaped panels to reflect signals and be able to see real-time results.
  • Display a manpack jammer, designed to protect our troops on the ground from IEDs.
  • Provide information about career opportunities and what students can study now to prepare to work in the fields of engineering and other areas in the company.

Student Preparation:   

  1. WHAT does “RADAR” stand for and what is it?   
  2. What does “SONAR” stand for and how does it work?
  3. WHAT IS AN IED?
  4. HOW ARE IEDs SET OFF? 
  5. WHAT IS ELECTRONIC WARFARE?

Raytheon - This booth will showcase Raytheon's 'Catapult Into Engineering' event that is slated to occur in early April 2012.  While at the booth, students will engage in fun hands on activities that will exercise their math and science knowledge.

Student Preparation:

  1. Who first used catapults and what for?
  2. How do you think catapults work? List 3 variables you think might affect how far a projectile would travel from a catapult.
  3. How does Newton's 1st law relate to catapults?

 

SAIC -   SAIC will present info on California geology

(soil types, faults), earthquakes and tsunamis, and SAIC’s commercial tsunami warning systems that are deployed internationally.  SAIC's network of Tsunami Buoy Systems in the Indo-Pacific have detected over 24 tsunamis of various sizes in the last two years.  Information will be presented using maps, posters, and the Internet (using Google Earth, some geological overlays and pop-up identification/definition boxes).  We will also have a buoy display (small-scale model) with an educational and video of our technology (technical specifications, how it works, deployment, locations, etc.)

Student Preparation:  

  1. What are the three basic soil types in California?
  2. What is a fault?
  3. What are the two classifications of faults?
  4. What is a tsunami?
  5. Where are tsunami buoy detection systems located?
  6. What depth of water are they deployed in?
  7. Does the tsunami buoy also measure waves caused by storms?
  8. Where are tsunami buoys located?
  9. Is there a worldwide need for tsunami detection buoys?
  10. Is the detection buoy system the only piece of a warning system that SAIC manufactures?

Solar Turbines – The Solar Turbines’ booth will showcase one of Solar’s gas turbine engines: the Saturn.  An engine of this caliber requires the use of some fairly exotic metals and a high level of precision in manufacturing and assembly. Gas turbine engines such as this play a vital role in the development of oil, natural gas, and power generation projects around the world.  Solar is a world leader in providing sustainable products with low emissions technology.

Student Preparation:  

  1. In what year was Solar founded and how long has this company been in San Diego?
  2. True or False: Solar Turbines creates Solar products?
  3. How does a gas turbine engine work?
  4. What are Solar Turbine engines used for?
  5. Convert the following:
    1. 800m to miles
    2. 0.250mL to gallons
    3. 6.25ft to micro meters
    4. 80.7kg to pounds

SPAWAR - SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific will be showcasing fun activities that demonstrate resonance both acoustically and mechanically.  Activities will include a chinese water bowl that spouts water, a chladni plate and sound that allows you to form beatiful shapes when changing frequencies and a vibrating string that allows you to see the nodes and anit-nodes of a wave! Additionally, this booth will host a Digital Postcard area where you can take your photo and email it to yourself!

Student Preparation:  

  1. What does the term frequency mean?
  2. What does the term forcing frequency mean?
  3. What does the term natural frequency mean?
  4. What does the term resonance frequency mean?
  5. Why did the Tacoma Narrows bridge collapse?
University of California / COSMOS Program - When light shines on a solar cell it produces power. The more solar cells you have, the more power can be produced. The solar panel produces power by creating a voltage, with a current of about 0.4 A.  By measuring the voltages and using our knowledge of current, we can determine the power created for different setups of solar panels.

Student Preparation:

  1. In your own words, describe current and voltage.
  2. What is the equation for Power?
  3. Which power output is greater, series or parallel connection? Explain?
  4. A 12-V car battery will generally produce more current than a 1.5V flashlight battery, TRUE OR FALSE?
  5. A voltmeter is used is to generate voltage, TRUE OR FALSE?


Health Tech

Focus on the systems within which health is protected and maintained, including prevention and rehabilitation, emergency medicine, medical devices, and technology for monitoring the health of a patient remotely.  Dental technology is also included in this strand.

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Rural/Metro Ambulance/San Diego Project Heart Beat - CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) demonstration and displays.  We will also have an ambulance on hand to demonstrate various technologies used in prehospital emergency medical care.

Student Preparation:

  1. Why is electricity used to shock a heart in cardiac arrest?
  2. What causes cardiac arrest?
  3. Why does the ambulance carry nitroglycerin on board? 
  4. What is CPR and why should a rescuer tilt the head back?
  5. What are some signs that someone is having a stroke and what is a stroke?

Tri-City Medical Center - Demonstration of real time interventional cardiology and the technology used to treat heart attacks.  We will also showcase professional job opportunities in healthcare and the high-tech industry that manufactures advanced medical devices.

Student Preparation:

  1. What type of metal is a stent made out of?

              A. Platinum

              B. Nickel

              C. Iron

              D. Molybdenum

  1. Will a metal stent set off the alarms at the airport?

              A. Yes

              B. No

  1. What does a pacemaker do?
  2. How does a stent help heart attacks?
  3. What is the di Vinci?

              A. A painting

              B. A new brand of jeans

              C. A surgical robot physicians use

UC San Diego Trauma Division - Explore how crash forces impact both the vehicle and your body in a car crash. Learn what trauma surgeons do during “the golden hour” to help save lives, and how law enforcement works to reduce injuries due to car crashes. Watch in-car videos of what happens when drivers are distracted and learn how this technology can prevent this from happening to you and those you love.

Student Preparation:  

  1. What is the difference between an emergency room and a trauma center?
  2. What is needed to stabilize a trauma patient? The ABC’s?
  3. What percent of car crashes are due to driver error?
  4. Discuss why teens seem to take more unreasonable risks?
  5. What are the three types of distracted driving?
  6. Discuss how law enforcement helps to keep the roadways safer?
Zmicrosystems - Our exhibit will consist of two computers, one showing Solid Modeling of mechanical components, the other will show a live surgery using our custom display which allows for video enhancement.

Student Preparation:   Pending


 

ICT

Focus on highly specialized, complex technology, including computer applications and telecommunications.

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Arey Jones Educational Solutions - Arey Jones exclusively provides information technology solutions for schools from coast to coast. By leveraging our regional configuration centers, we design, implement and support comprehensive networking solutions that maximize efficiency and up-time objectives within your budget. We will have the latest in technology or the classrooms from the Top 3 Tier manufacturers , Dell, HP & Lenovo.

Student Preparation:  Pending

CAL FIRE –  New vehicle (mobile communication center for major disasters) will be on display.

Student Preparation: 

  1. What is the advantage of having this vehicle at major incidents?
  2. What types of communication equipment is installed on the vehicle?
  3. What type of training is needed to operate this vehicle?
  4. What types of incidents would we see this on?

Media Partner:  COX logo


COX Communications - The exhibit of the Cox Communications, Channel 4 San Diego, Mobile Production Unit will provide a hands on behind the scenes look at what it takes to produce a live television event.  Students will get a feel for the number of people involved and the technology used getting CIF football game to television viewers at home.

Student Preparation:

  1. What are the differences between analog and digital video formats?
  2. What are the different ways to get productions from a remote unit to the distribution location?
  3. What are the names of some of the organizations that created the standards that govern all broadcast/cable TV signals?
  4. What are the names of the following organizations and what do they do? 
    1. SMPTE 
    2. MPEG
    3. FCC
    4. ATSC
    5. NTSC
  5. What positions are required to man the TV Truck during a CIF football game production?
DeVry University - Signals Are Everywhere!

Signals transmit information from one place to another.  We know this because we can measure signals with the right kind of equipment.  But, where does that equipment come from?  From research, perspiration, frustration and experience.  Look around at the marvelous objects in this fair.  Somebody figured out how to make them.

And that, in one way, is what college is all about:  learning how to use signals to make something new.


Student Preparation:   
  1. What is the definition of an analog signal?
  2. What is the difference between an analog signal and a digital signal?
  3. Are digital signals found In nature?
  4. Why would you want to convert between analog and digital signals?
  5. What are some ways to measure signals?

  6. Which of these require analog signals, and which require digital signals?  Why?
         ~ Your voice

    ~ A CD or DVD

    ~ Your sight

    ~ Your username and password

    ~ Your hearing

    ~ Your allowance

    ~ Your heart beat

    ~ Your cell phone

    ~ Your memory

    ~ A photograph

    ~ A painting

Hewlett Packard – Our booth will demonstrate the technology behind Thermal Inkjet Printing.

Student Preparation:  

  1. What is an example of something that uses additive color?  Subtractive color?  In subtractive color, what is yellow plus magenta?  In additive color, what is red plus blue?
  2. How does thermal ink jet technology work? 
  3. If an inkjet drop is 10 picoliters, and a paintball has a diameter of 0.68 in, how many inkjet drops are in one paintball?  If you were to jet a drop once a second, how long would it take to fill the paintball? (Remember to convert from English to metric 1 in = 2.54 cm, and that the volume of a sphere = 4/3 pi  r^3)
  4. HP printers use encoder strips and rotary encoders to monitor the position of the paper and print head.  Explain how an encoder works.

Logical Choice Technologies - Letters alive 2.0 makes learning to read even more fun and exciting! Come experience our revolutionary supplemental reading curriculum that uses the innovative technology of augmented reality to bring letters to life for students in the form of 3D, interactive animals. In the curriculum, students master the building blocks of literacy: phonemic awareness, phonics, concepts of print, and comprehension.

Student Preparation: 

  1. What is Augmented Reality?
  2. How does the program know which animal to show?
  3. How do the animals change colors?
  4. How do the virtual buttons work?
  5. How do you envision use of augmented reality in curriculum for older students?
  6. How do you envision the use of augmented reality outside of a school setting?

Media Partner:  timewerner_logo.jpg


Time Warner Cable - PENDING 

Student Preparation:  Pending


Robotics SPONSORED BY:

lockheed-martin.jpg

Focus on the technology associated with the design, fabrication, theory, and application of robots.

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San Diego City Robotics - A robot and all the various circuit boards, batteries etc. will be on display. Also on display is the compass,  which is used for navigation running, logging real time data to a laptop computer. This data will change in real time when ever the compass is moved, showing a new direction.   We will convey what avenues are available in the amazing world of robotics and that it's accessible to everyone.

Student Preparation:
  1. What does autonomous mean with respect to robotics?
  2. What are the tasks that San Diego City Robotics must perform at this years AVUSI competition?
  3. What types of sensors should an underwater autonomous robot be equipped with?
  4. What courses should be taken in preparation for a course of study in robotics engineering?
  5. What schools have entered the AVUSI competition in the past?

San Diego County Fair – Outreach information for students for the 2012 Student Showcase Exhibit at the San Diego County Fair.

Student Preparation:

  1. Theme of the 2012 SD Fair?
  2. Dates of the SD Fair? Entry Deadline?
  3. What Exhibit is for Students my age to Enter?
  4. Robots are controlled two ways?
  5. The SD Fair several One Day Contests Name 3 of them.
  6. Two New Science Divisions to enter this year?
  7. What is Hydroponics?

SeaBotix, Inc. –  SeaBotix, is a world-wide leader in the design, manufacture and sale of underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) systems known under the trade name “Little Benthic Vehicles” (LBVs™).
SeaBotix LBVs are used for a variety of underwater tasks such as maritime security, search and recovery, aquaculture, scientific research, hydro and nuclear energy applications, forensic investigations, as well as inspections of off-shore oil and gas drilling platforms and pipelines. SeaBotix LBVs are designed for observation and light-duty operations, and can be equipped with a variety of sensors including high-definition video cameras, imaging sonar, tracking systems, as well as various tools such as multifunction grabbers and cutting heads. A patented Crawler system offered in certain LBVs is designed to allow for precise and complete underwater ship hull inspections.

Student Preparation: 

  1. What are the various applications for ROVs? Name at least three that come to mind.
  2. What does ROV stand for?
  3. What makes a SeaBotix ROV move in water and how many? Where are they located?

 

UCSD Robotics - Our exhibit will feature student robotics research, healthcare tech and biomedical research.  

Swartz Center for Computational Neuroscience, UC San Diego -- Ever wondered what it would be like to bend a spoon just by thinking about it? Or have you ever wished your iPod could automatically select music to suit your mood? At our installation, students will learn about how electrical activity from neurons in the brain can be recorded using non-invasive wearable EEG sensors and how these signals can be used to control devices with your thoughts! This will be demonstrated via a fun interactive two-person installation called MoodMixer wherein participants collaboratively navigate a two-dimensional audiovisual landscape and remix electronic music, based on their cognitive/affective state of mind.

Student Preparation: 

  1. What is a neuron?
  2. What is the electroencephalogram (EEG)?
  3. List 3 existing examples of a BCI/BMI.
  4. What's the coolest application of BCI technology you can imagine?
  5. What sorts of ethical and/or privacy concerns do you think should be considered for future uses of BCI technology?

 

US FIRST Robotics –  Poway High School’s Team Spyder (1622) is a multi-award winning FIRST Robotics team.  FIRST Robotics is a worldwide organization which gives students of all ages the ability to enjoy math and science. Each year, FIRST Robotics creates a new event for each division in which a new objective is posed for the team to accomplish in a competition. We are composed of many sub-groups including electrical, build, safety, chairmans, programming, and graphics. Our team is based on being safe while creating quality robots built for competitions.

Student Preparation:  

  1. What is the definition and mission of FIRST Robotics?
  2. How can FIRST change the world and who are its heroes?
  3. What are the three FIRST competitions that students can compete in?
  4. How much time are you given to design and fabricate a robot? 

 

Document Actions
SPONSORS

SDSA would like to thank our 2012 event sponsors.  This non-profit event is made possible through the support of corporate sponsors, community partners and exhibitors. 

2012 GOLD Sponsor:

Genentech logo

 

2012 SILVER Sponsor:

 

lockheed-martin.jpg        

 

2012 BRONZE Sponsors:

 
 BAE logo                    

 

2012 Strand Sponsors:

         
BioTech:           
     Gen-Probe Logo
      
        
Clean Tech:
  



Conservation:      
 
BP Logo


Engineering: 
      
Goodrich logo



Robotics
:
lockheed-martin.jpg
 

Media Partners / Sponsors:

 timewerner_logo.jpg

 

COX logo

 

2012 Individual School Sponsors:

 Air Products       



 CORlogonocorp blu.jpg


 
        saic_logo_new.jpg                



 SONGS

 

Other Supporters:


County Supervisors  Ron Roberts, SD County Supervisor, District 4

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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