Winter Wonderland ~ Welcome to 2014

Welcome Back & Happy New Year!

Me and “Otis” the Eng Outreach Bear catching
 some winter rays! He’s a great hugger and always
 knows just how to cheer the team up when
we’re hit with any winter blues.

Now that 2014 is upon us, it is time to get back to the books. Term 2 started today and McMaster University is covered in a thick (cold!) blanket of crisp, white snow. I love the way campus looks in the winter: the bright snow on the trees, all the colours of coats, hats, scarves and mittens and the busy crowds of students rushing to their classes. The campus is alive with activity!

January marks the beginning of my second term of my fourth year in Materials Engineering & Society at Mac and I’m really looking forward to my classes. (I’m such a nerd!) But I really enjoy learning and I’m excited that classes are starting up again.


So as I begin the New Year, I’m continuing my work with Engineering Outreach. Christen, Sean, Brandon and I are members of a work-study team: we are able to study full-time while continuing to develop our career skills and gain valuable experience working for the University. Engineering Outreach is here for you if you’re a prospective student interested in finding out more about our programs so that you can choose a University that’s right for you!

Another great part about this time of year is seeing all my friends. It was great to catch up with everyone and hear all the fun adventures my friends had over the holidays. I can feel it; this term is going to be so great!

Until next time, ~ Danielle

Helloooo February!

With Fireball behind us, and midterm season around the bend, it’s time to pull our socks up, and retreat back to our favourite chairs in Thode Library. For all prospective students, your applications are out! Now comes decision time, and that dreadful waiting period when you check your email and mailboxes all the time to see if you've heard back from any schools.

My friends and I goofing off for the cameras! I'm third from the left.
The guys were being girls and the girls were being guys :P

True to my word though, I’ll first let you know how Fireball went. To begin with, I learned a very important lesson that night. I learned that my sister’s shoes (being a size too big) are actually kind of a big deal when you’re trying to run to catch a bus. I think I have a scar on my foot now. I will never wear shoes too big again. No matter how cute they are!

The 2012-2013 president on the left, Erin,
handing off the "MES president sword"
to next year's president Emily!

 



Other than my shoes… Fireball was a blast! The food was delicious, the people were fantastic, and the outfits were glorious. Emily Au was named the new McMaster Engineering Society president (3rd female in a row I might add), and tons of awards were given out to some amazing students we have here at Mac! If you want to check out some of the photos from that night, they’re posted to the MacEng Society’s website here: http://macengsociety.ca/culture/events/fireball-2013/


Coming up next week is the Engineering Level II Info Fair. At McMaster, all engineering students take a general first year and then apply to the programs of their choice for second year. It is (in my opinion) one of the best aspects to the program. You don’t know how many of my friends changed their minds after first year! The Level II Fair lets first year students speak with professors and upper year students to get a good feel for the programs before they make their choice. We have seven engineering departments, some with different streams such as nuclear engineering (part of engineering physics) or electrical and biomedical engineering. You can add on our optional programs like co-op, management or society too. Check out our programs at: www.eng.mcmaster.ca/departments.html .

MacEng has got some great traditions and a rich student life. If you applied here, and you’re interested in learning a bit more from a student’s perspective, don’t be shy! We’ll be hosting an online chat session on February 25th: http://www.eng.mcmaster.ca/future/chat/ . The site will be updated soon. I’ll be online, along with some other students to answer all your questions!

 ~Helen

...and we're back (sort of)

Sorry for the radio silence there; these last few weeks and the next two have been and will be insanely busy (ROBOTS).

I asked my friend Evan (also in Engineering Physics) a few questions about his final year inquiry, a research project that students in the Engineering & Society and Engineering & International Studies programs undertake in their final year. I'm presenting my own inquiry tomorrow, so time to work on that some more! Feel free to leave a comment or question below.

1) How would you describe your inquiry project?

I am proposing an analogy which says that the e-reader is related to the book like the mp3 player is related to the song. I am using a comparative approach to try to show how my findings are consistent, or inconsistent, with that analogy in an attempt to better understand my central question.

2) What is your central question?

Why has the adoption of e-readers into the consumer market made so little an impact compared to mp3 players?

3) Who are you working with to learn more about your research?

My supervisor is Dr. Qiyin Fang, who is an Assistant Professor of Engineering Physics. The inquiry topic that I wanted to pursue reminded me of a project that I completed in a course on optical instrumentation, which he taught.

4) Why did you choose the Engineering & Society program?

Throughout high school, I often thought of my communication skills, especially public speaking, as one of my weaknesses. I elected to complete the Engineering and Society option because I thought it would improve my aptitude in this area. I am very satisfied with my decision.