Weekly WISE #5

This week we visited the Process Engineering group and spent some time making Mocktails at Manuel’s River! Check out our blog posts by Abby L. and Sarah B.!

Abby L., Student Research Assistant

Hello! My name is Abby and this summer I had the opportunity to work as a student lab/research assistant at Solace Power. As my sixth week comes to an end, I have learned so much and have met so many friends along the way. This week, I mainly focused on organizing the mechanical shelf that was a mess. I labeled and organized screws. I also 3D printed organizers for some other materials. This may sound boring, but if you’re anything like me, you would think this is very satisfying. I also refreshed my coding skills. In the past few weeks, I learned how to graph data using code. This was not easy, especially because my basic knowledge on technology is definitely lacking. Thankfully, I finished plotting the data and I can now say I have experience in coding. Whether I’m actually good at it? That’s another thing all together.

On Tuesday, I got to attend a series of process engineering demos along with the rest of the WISE girls. We learned what process engineers do, and we got to do different experiments like titrations. Even though most of us didn’t understand what they were talking about, we still had fun. The best part of the tour was the kahoot at the end. Even though I came last, the funniest part was watching one of my fellow WISE girls win the kahoot on someone else’s phone on accident just by luck. It left myself and the other girls crying laughing at her win the whole thing against MUN students that are studying the information on the kahoot. 

I am so grateful for the opportunities this internship has given me. Not only did I learn new things I wouldn’t have experienced until university, I made friendships I hope will last a long time. This is something I will remember for the rest of my life and is something I would definitely recommend to any girl that is interested in STEM.  

Sarah B., Student Research Assistant in Boating Safety

Hi! My name is Sarah Burt and I have just finished my fifth week of the Women in Science and Engineering Student Summer Employment Program. I am heading to grade 12 in the fall at St. Bons. My job placement is at the Marine Institute, where I am a research assistant in boating safety. No two days are the same at MI, there are always different things to do and see.Throughout the summer I have also done lots of things here at MI, I helped out with their first summer camp, I attended squidfest, and got to do field work. I also got the chance to meet so many new people while in this program. Everyone is always so welcoming and always wants to help out when they can.

 This week my supervisor Kerri-Ann and I went to different harbours to collect data about PFDs (personal flotation devices). We sat on the rocks and recorded the number of people wearing PFDs and the number of people not. We took note of all the factors like wind, temperature, time of day, and even what kind of boat they are using. It was very interesting to see the amount of people wearing life jackets compared to the amount of people not wearing them. We are also in the process of making a survey that will eventually be sent out to boat owners to get their thoughts on why they do or don’t wear life jackets.

With only one week left I am sad that it is coming to an end, but so grateful for the experience. I have made so many new friends along the way, from peers in the program with me to instructors at Mun and Mi. I am so glad I was able to experience this great opportunity!