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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
Distinguished NASA Scientist Meets with NSU University School Students
NSU alumnus, Gail J. Allen, D.B.A. Allen, deputy chief scientist at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
NSU University School welcomed a visit from NSU alumna, Gail J. Allen, D.B.A. Allen, deputy chief scientist at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), discussed NASA’s Involvement in the International Space Station, plans for astronauts to travel to Mars and climate change.
During her presentation with Upper School students, Allen emphasized the importance of robotics to NASA’s space missions. NASA sends robots to venture into space before humans land on unfamiliar territory. This information resonated with many students in the audience as the NSU University School Robotics Team is ranked the Number One Robotics Team in the State of Florida.
NSU University School students amazed Allen with one of their newest robots, which recently won the highest award at prestigious VEX Robotics Competition: Nothing But Net. The robot can launch an object with a driver, pick up an object and change its trajectory. Allen had the opportunity to interact with the robot and observe its accuracy as it launched a ball into a net.
David Skaff, captain of the nationally-ranked NSU University Robotics Team, impressed Allen when he demonstrated how another one of the team’s award-winning robots is programmed to pick up objects, build towers, and compact and expand by itself or with a joystick controller (up to five feet in height).
Allen also had a the opportunity to meet with the NSU University STEM Club, a school-sponsored organization for Upper School students who are interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics career paths. Allen invited students to a private tour of the John F. Kennedy Space Center and asked them to collaborate with NASA’s “Get Involved: NASA Solve” Program. This program challenges students to solve tough problems related to NASA’s mission through challenges, prizes competitions, and crowdsourcing.
