IAP Independent Activities Period
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IAP 2007 Activities by Sponsor

Materials Science and Engineering

Glass Blowing
Peter Houk, Brendon Edwards, Marty Demaine, Chris Laughman
Fri Jan 12, 19, 26, 2, 10-12:00am

Enrollment limited: advance sign up required (see contact below)
Signup by: 05-Jan-2007
Limited to 16 participants.
Participants requested to attend all sessions (non-series)
Prereq: Preference for Freshmen
Fee: 120.00 for Costs of materials such as glass & color.

Experience the interface between materials science, technology, design and art! This studio will introduce students to hot glassworking techniques. Students will obtain hands-on experience making solid sculptures and hand-blown vessels. Enrollment via lottery. To get in four full weeks, we tend to start really early in January, so those planning to take the IAP class should be able to be on campus shortly after the new year. Attendance is mandatory. Absolutely no proxies allowed. Designed for freshmen during IAP! Times: friday instruction during ONE of the following two hour blocks: 10-12,12-2,2-4,4-6; and ONE practice session during ONE of the following blocks: mon, tues, thurs 4-6 PM, friday 6-8 PM.Dates: starting January 5, friday. Lottery to be announced on website:
web.mit.edu/glasslab
Web: http://web.mit.edu/glasslab
Contact: Peter Houk, 4-003, x3-5309, pbhouk@aol.com

Hydrogen: hype or hope?
Caetano Rodrigues Miranda, Francesca Balleto
Tue Jan 23, Thu Jan 25, Tue Jan 30, Thu Feb 1, 04pm-05:30am, 13-4101

No limit but advance sign up required (see contact below)
Signup by: 07-Jan-2007
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)
Prereq: none

Hydrogen: hype or hope?

Oil crisis? Global warming? Unlimited source of energy?

In four sessions of live discussions, we will explore the fundamental problems for the implementation of the so-called Hydrogen Economy. This activity will cover the challenges to production, distribution, storage and uses of Hydrogen. From science fiction to the most recent advances in fuel cell and hydrogen storage research done at MIT, a clear scientific overview of this hot topic and cool science will be presented.
Web: http://TBA
Contact: Caetano Rodrigues Miranda, 13-5001, (617) 324-2086, cmiranda@mit.edu

In Vino Veritas
Prof. Linn W. Hobbs
Tue Jan 16, Thu Jan 18, Mon Jan 22, Tue Jan 23, Thu Jan 25, 05-08:00pm, 35-410

Enrollment limited: first come, first served
Limited to 54 participants.
Participants requested to attend all sessions (non-series)
Prereq: Participants must be age 21 or older on 1/22/07. ID required
Fee: 175.00 for for wines, crackers and extensive tasting notes

Harvard cannot lay claim to all verities! This high-quality introductory class in wine appreciation—long an IAP classic and now in its 26th year, with almost 2,000 enthusiastic alumni/ae—will acquaint participants with the truth about wines from around the world through comparative tasting of over 55 fine wines. The offering is perennially oversubscribed, so immediate registration is advised.
Payment of fee with registration.
Contact: Gabrielle Joseph, 13-4062, x3-6970, gaj@mit.edu
Cosponsor: Nuclear Science and Engineering

Introduction to Blacksmithing
Samuel Allen, Michael Tarkanian
Mon Jan 29, 03-05:00pm, 4-003

Enrollment limited: advance sign up required (see contact below)
Signup by: 20-Dec-2006
Limited to 6 participants.
Participants requested to attend all sessions (non-series)
Prereq: None

A mandatory introductory sessions with demonstration will be held for all participants from 3-5 on January 29. Students will select Lab Group 1 (7:00-8:30 on January 29) or Lab Group 2 (8:30-10:00 on January 29) and attend that group's laboratory sissions for three consecutive evenings.

Students will learn basic blacksmithing techniques using traditional tools to hand-forge mild steel. Drawing a taper, forming a scroll, twisting, and finishing techniques will be incorporated into simple projects. Limited to participants with no prior blacksmithing experince.
Contact: Samuel Allen, 4-132, x3-6939, smallen@mit.edu

Introduction to Lost-Wax Casting
Mike Tarkanian
Mon Jan 22 thru Fri Jan 26, 01-04:00pm

Enrollment limited: advance sign up required (see contact below)
Signup by: 20-Dec-2006
Limited to 6 participants.
Participants requested to attend all sessions (non-series)

Students in this class will learn the techniques necessary for metal casting via the lost-wax method. First, we’ll make wax models of the items to be cast – either by sculpting wax into the desired shape, or by casting wax into a rubber mold of an existing object. We will then build ceramic shells around the models, burn out the wax, and cast molten silicon bronze into the resulting mold. If time permits, we may also explore the basics of sand casting.
Contact: Mike Tarkanian, 4-010, x3-5946, tarky@mit.edu

Introduction to Welding
Michael Tarkanian
Mon Jan 8, Tue Jan 9, 09am-12:00pm, or 1-4pm, 8-014
Wed Jan 10, 09am-12:00pm, or 1-4pm, or 6-9pm, 8-014
Thu Jan 11, Fri Jan 12, 09am-12:00pm, or 1-4pm or 6-9pm, 8-014

Enrollment limited: advance sign up required (see contact below)
Signup by: 20-Dec-2006
Limited to 6 participants.
Participants requested to attend all sessions (non-series)
Prereq: Signup via email

Students will be a part of 2 instructional sessions on 1/8 and 1/9 at either 9am or 1pm. Applicants should state their time preference when signing up. January 10-12 will be "open time" for students to work on small welding projects. Students can choose which open sessions they will attend (1 per day).

This course will cover the basics of welding metals with various techniques: oxyacetylene torches, stick welding (SMAW), MIG (GMAW) and TIG (GTAW) will be explored, time permitting. The first two instructional sessions will review the procedures and techniques, safety concerns and equipment, and capabilities of these methods.
Contact: Michael Tarkanian, 4-010, x3-5946, tarky@mit.edu

Science Policy Bootcamp
William B. Bonvilliam-Director MIT Washington, DC Office, Taras Gorshnyy, Alicia Jackson, Asher Sinensky and Catherine Tweedie
Mon Jan 22 thru Fri Jan 26, 09:30am-12:30pm, TBD

Signup by: 08-Jan-2007
Limited to 25 participants.
Participants requested to attend all sessions (non-series)
Prereq: Geared for Grad Students or Post Doc. in Science or Engineer

Science and technology public policy strongly guides the future of science education and research. Despite significant interest in science policy issues within the graduate student community at MIT, there exist few opportunities for increased understanding about and practical involvement with science policy. Given the challenges to future federal support, the aim of this five-day seminar is to introduce graduate scientists and engineers to the ‘nuts and bolts’ of science policy making. The course will expose students to the fundamental structure and dynamics of science policy and inform them of routes into a policy experience or career. This seminar is cosponsored by MIT's President's Office that strongly supports the integration and deepening of science policy awareness within the MIT community at all levels.
Web: http://stellar.mit.edu/S/project/policybootcamp/index.html
Contact: Alicia Jackson, 13-4057, x3-7234, jacksona@mit.edu
Cosponsor: Presidents Office

Superconductor Factory Tour
Forrest Liau, Joseph John Walish
Mon Jan 29, 07:30am-12:30pm, meeting place TBD

Enrollment limited: advance sign up required (see contact below)
Limited to 10 participants.
Single session event

Ever wondered how a high tech materials company operates? How do you go from a laboratory concept, to a venture capital funded startup, and to a reputable company that is transforming the way we use energy? Join us for an exclusive field trip to American Superconductor to see for yourself!

TOUR IS FILLED! Please contact Forrest Liau, forrest@mit.edu, to be placed on the waiting list.

Event: American Superconductor presentation and factory tour (transportation provided)
Signup: Email ASAP to secure a spot.
Web: http://www.amsuper.com
Contact: Amy Shea, 35-413, x8-5816, amyshea@mit.edu


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Last update: 30 September 2004