Cultural & Technical Goals

Having been to Malta once already, my learning goals are probably slightly different than the rest of the team's. Culturally, I am aiming to get a deeper understanding of how Malta developed as a country in order to better understand the cultural background of the country. I'm hoping this will giving me a better insight on the Maltese traditions and cultural norms. Most of the research will occur before arriving in Malta which should allow for some interesting social interactions.

As for the technical goals, I am aiming to enhance our scan matching algorithm to handle 3D sonar scans. This will help us generate a more accurate representation of the cisterns as well as help the visualization team generate more realistic models.

Goals

This will be my first time going to Europe, so my cultural goal is to experience and learn about the differences in lifestyles between people in Malta and people in the United States. I think it will also be very exciting to learn about the rich histories of the places we will visit.

As for the technical side, I am interested in co-operating with everyone and seeing how all of the different projects fit together. My personal goal is to develop my skills in working with new API and learn more about the algorithms involved in autonomous vehicles. Professor Clark's class was my first experience with robots, so I would also like to see how everything is going to work in the field.

I look forward to getting to know everyone working on the project!

My Learning Goals

My overall goal is to walk away with a priceless experience that I would try to have again. I want to learn as much as I possibly can both culturally and academically, so these experiences can help to shape me as I move forward through college and my future career.

Some smaller goals I have are to learn more about the robotics and computer science fields. I don't know much about robotics or computer science, so I'm very excited to learn about them and then to compare them to my own engineering field.

My last goal is kind of cliche but I want this program/trip to help me become a better leader and teammate. I know that always seems to be a goal for everything, but I really do think that this would be a great experience to learn something new about being a leader or a team player since we will be working with people of all ages, interests and beliefs.

Going with what Bret did. One of my favorite quotes is "Don't let your schooling get in the way of your education." by Mark Twain. I want to learn as much as possible through this experience, but as I already said, that doesn't strictly mean academic knowledge. I want to learn the culturally stuff too.

I am so excited for this and I hope you all are too!

Erik's Pre-Trip Learning Goals

Using what I know so far about ICEX, I have developed a few goals that I would like to have accomplished by the project's end. I'm sure that these learning goals will be revised as the quarter progresses, and I accept that there will be events that change my aim along the way that I have not yet considered. With that said, my pre-trip goals are the following:

I would like to gain enough knowledge of robotics and computer science principles to become a more well rounded systems engineer. In other words, I would like to be able to understand complex processes and systems that involve a variety of engineering disciplines. This is not a goal that can be perfected, but rather one that must be continuously worked towards. It will be difficult, and it does not end once ICEX is over (in fact, it never does)! I think it's safe to say that by partaking in the ICEX project, this is a goal that everyone on the team is working towards. I guess I'm in good company!

I was assigned two sub-projects to complete along the way. These projects are developing an interactive Google Earth (or other) copy of our findings for documentation and educational purposes, and keeping track of the curriculum that we will share with the kids at Pacheco Elementary and any other schools that we may be working with. My goal is to educate as many people as possible such that they will be interested in what robotics has to offer. Hopefully, if we do our job at Pacheco, a handful of the kids will use our labs as an incentive to work harder in school so that they can do the same things in their future. While the details of the Google Earth database are not as clear as of yet, I hope that the outcome of this sub-project will be just as beneficial.

Just like every other human, I have a knack for adventure. Malta will feed that knack! I'm ecstatic to be on another side of the planet learning about things that I have never encountered! When I'm on my deathbed and I ask myself if I lived a complete life, this is one of the things that I will use to convince myself that I did. Happiness is something that everybody strives for, and this is the best way that I can think of to be happy. My goal is to make the trip as fulfilling as it can possibly be; to jam it with adventure, to have a mind opening experience, and to bring back as many stories as I can cram into my brain.

Goals for the Program

Earl Nightingale once said that "People with goals succeed because they know where they're going." It is only fitting that each of us have goals for the ICEX project and our trip to Malta. I have a main goal and two learning goals.

My main goal is related to the project I am assigned to lead. I am in charge of acquiring, analyzing and displaying the marine data (salinity and temperature) for local marine biologists. My main goal is to accomplish this in a way that the result is helpful to the research of the marine biologists.

Of my learning goals, one is technical and one is cultural. My technical goal is to leave the program with real world experience in graphics programing, interface design, application and analysis of algorithms, and autonomous robotics. My cultural goal is to leave Malta with a better understanding of the culture and people so that I feel it has impacted the way I think and look at the world.

Greetings All

I am Tim Peters, a 3rd year computer engineering student at Cal Poly. When I am not inundated by school, I enjoy playing the cello, voiding warranties, and (surprise, surprise) working on programming projects. I find traveling quite rewarding. In addition to visiting northern Europe, I have studied in both Ireland and Sweden. I continue to practice my Swedish with friends, however my Irish Gaelic suffers from neglect.
I am planning to pursue an advanced degree in computer science but I have yet to decide on a specialized field of study. As an ICEX participant, I look forward to expanding my skills in the field of computer graphics. I am excited about participating in this year's project and I look forward to getting better acquainted with everyone next quarter!

Thrilled to be a part of the 2012 ICEX Program

Gozo, March 2011

My name is Jane Lehr and I am another of the faculty members involved in the 2012 ICEX program, specifically as the cultural & global engineering lead. The ICEX Program is one of the very best parts of my job at Cal Poly, and I very much look forward to all the learning and thinking and talking and coding and roboting that will be part of this year's trip! This is my 3rd year in ICEX, 2nd trip to Malta, and 1st trip to Sicily.

My research focuses on the relationships between science, technology & society, with a specific focus on science and engineering education. I am a faculty member in the departments of Ethnic Studies and Women's & Gender Studies at Cal Poly, as well as the Equity & Access Programs Director in the Center for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Education (CESaME).

Hi Everyone

I am really excited to be a part of this year’s ICEX team and cannot wait to meet all of you. My name is Jeffrey Forrester and I am a junior studying computer science at Cal Poly. I am interested in computer graphics and enjoy learning and solving difficult problems. For this year’s ICEX project I will be improving the surface extraction of sonar data created by last year’s team. When I’m not working on schoolwork I enjoy relaxing with friends, exercising, and being outdoors. I look forward to working with all of you.

looking forward to another great ICEX project

Hello. I am looking forward to another great ICEX program! My name is Zoë Wood and I am one of the technical leads on the computer graphics side of the ICEX program (this year will be my second year). My background includes computer graphics and scientific visualization. I enjoy traveling, art and spending time with my family. I am excited to work with all the participants of this years program!

Hello!

Hi!

My name is Yingxue Li and I'm from Carmel, Indiana. Currently, I'm a junior in the computer science department at Princeton University. I'm also on the rifle team at Princeton and in my free time, I like to play League of Legends. I don't have a lot of experience with robotics, but I'm very excited to be working on this project with everyone!

Hello!

Hey everyone!

My name is Drew Boik and I'm a junior at Princeton studying computer science. I'll be working with Austin Walker on the software for cave mapping. I am from Winter Springs, Florida (near Orlando), and in my spare time I like to sing, play piano, and play trumpet in the Princeton University Orchestra. When I'm in Florida I also work seasonally at Disney World in the Magic Kingdom. I'm really excited to work with the ICEX team and can't wait to go to Malta!

Short Intro

Hello there,

My name is William Song and I am currently a junior studying computer science at Princeton University. I was born in Seoul, South Korea, but spent most of my childhood in Vancouver, Canada. In my spare time I enjoy bboying and snowboarding.

I am very excited to be a part of ICEX 2012! I look forward to meeting you all.

Greetings

Hello ICEX!

My name is Tyler Vitti. I am a fourth year Computer Engineering student originally from Cameron Park, CA (outside Folsom), but now proud to call San Luis Obispo home. I'm an experienced programmer with a love for robotics, and I am absolutely ecstatic to be participating in this year's ICEX expedition! When I'm not at school or working on a project, you can find me off camping somewhere, scuba diving, motorcycling, or flying. I can't wait to meet you all as we prepare for our adventure to Malta!

Greetings from Princeton

Hello everyone! My name is Austin Walker, and I'll be going to Malta for part of the time with the ICEX team. I am from rural Indiana, and I'm currently a junior at Princeton University, where I am studying computer science. I got my first computer when I was 3, and I've been working with them ever since. I mostly work in Java and C, though I have also done some web-based programming as well. When I'm not buried under work, I'm probably either trying to get some new thing to work on my computer or at the University's rock gym. I enjoy caving, diving, backpacking, and pretty much anything else outdoors. I also love to travel; I've been to most of the US and to four continents (including Antarctica).

I'm really excited about being a part of the ICEX program this year. I will be working with Prof. Clark and Drew Boik on the software to build maps out of the data we get from the caves in Malta. We are already off to a good start here in Princeton, and I hope that we will have a great year all around.

Another Great Adventure!

Hi Everyone,

My name is Billy McVicker. I'm a Computer Engineer in the Computer Science 4+1 program. I'm from Grass Valley, CA and when I'm not studying/facebooking (which is rare) I like to swing dance and hangout with friends. I really enjoy solving puzzles, fixing things, and taking things apart. I was a member of the ICEX team last year and was invited back this year to help out with the robotics side of things. I had an amazing time last year, learned a whole lot, and know that this year will be just as great. (The picture attached is a good representation of how much fun we have in Malta).

Welcome All!

Welcome everyone to this years ICEX program! My name is Chris Clark and I have been one of the technical leads on the robotics side of the ICEX program for 3 years. My background includes mobile robots, controls, motion planning, and multi-robot systems. I often like to apply my ideas to underwater robots in the field. If not playing with these toys, you can find me hanging out with my family or surfing, (when my location permits). Since we created the ICEX program in 2008, the number of students and faculty participants have grown - and so has the research and cultural learning. I am excited to work with all the new participants (as well as the old!)

Brent's Bio

Hi everyone,

My name is Brent Williams I am a third year computer science major. I have been programming for a little over 4 years now . My passions are technology and art. In my free time I love to play beach volleyball and create traditional and digital art. I plan to get a master's degree in computer science and work in the field of computer graphics. When not in school I can usually be found in my home town of San Ramon, California. I cannot begin to express how excited I am to be a part of this team!

The World Says Hello!!

Hey Everyone!

My name is Sara Lillard and I am super excited to work with all of you on this amazing program! A little bit about me: I'm a second year Aerospace Engineering from Denver, Colorado. I like to hang out with friends, listen to music, draw, read, hike, etc. when I get done with homework and studying. I have never been outside the continental US, with the exception of going to the Canadian border when I was a year and a half. I don't have a lot of experience programming, but I ready and willing to learn anything I need to!! I am really excited and can't wait to get to know all of you next quarter!

See you all soon!!

(P.S. I'm going to apologize for my title too, but reading Erik's post, I was inspired.)

Hello World!

Hi everyone,

I'm Erik, and it looks like I'll get to know all of you pretty well in the next half a year. The fact that I'll be tagging along this March makes me feel like a five year old on Christmas Eve. I'm a Junior Materials Engineering student at Cal Poly, and spend my time (or whatever's left of it after the heaping pile of schoolwork has been subdued) rock climbing, distance running, and playing the guitar. I do a little bit of coding on the side, and I'm interested in pursuing some sort of graduate degree in computer science a little further down the line.

Anyways, I can't wait to meet everyone. This is going to be a fun quarter! See you all soon!

Here's a picture in case you see me around:

(P.S. sorry about the post title. Someone had to do it.)