Sunday, July 6th 2008
Today was a low-key day. Everyone enjoyed meeting each other at the Welcome Reception at OSC. After checking into the dorm, Haverfield House, and getting settled into the rooms, students went off to dinner at the Marketplace Dining Commons. The choices were surprising to some, with menu items like wraps, paninis, pasta, stir fry, wood-fired pizzas, and a salad bar. The rest of the evening was spent getting to know each other back at the dorm.
Summer Institute 2008: Day 1
Monday, July 7th 2008
Today was the first full day at Summer Institute. In the morning, Jim Giuliani, the lead of the Science and Technology Support group, gave an overview talk about all that OSC has to offer -- like software, hardware, training, and consultation. Afterwards, students toured the facilities. One of the highlights was seeing the new cluster computer that they would be using for their projects. Later, Aaron Lafferty, who oversees security administration for the Center, spoke about computing ethics, including many legal and ethical ramifications. The takeaway message is just because "you can do something with a computer doesn't mean you should."
After lunch, OSC faculty gave project presentations of the projects students will eventually select. The projects are Kinetics, Molecular Dynamics, Gaming, Network Forensics, and Wave Motion. After the project intros, Barbara Woodall gave hands-on instruction in using the UNIX operating system most students will need to complete their projects.
That evening students took a walking tour of The Ohio State University that included a number of campus highlights such as the Honors House, the Recreation and Physical Activity Center, several of the science buildings, and landmarks like the Oval, Orton Hall, and Mirror Lake.
Outdoor adventure takes SI to high ropes
Tuesday, July 8th 2008
Teamwork and problem solving were at the forefront today as students worked together to overcome numerous challenges and puzzles presented at the Outdoor Adventure Education Center (AEC). Students were divided into groups and took to the ropes course for some high-flying fun in the morning. There they were challenged to go outside of their comfort zone and attempt to complete the course that had students suspended over 30 feet above the ground. Shortly after the ropes course students set about the task of completing various team-building exercises. After a long day of fun, the students returned to their dorms for an evening of rest, relaxation, and tie dying shirts.
SI Students chose their projects
Wednesday, July 9th 2008
Today Summer Institute students selected their projects. This year students chose the following projects: Network Forensics, Avian Flu, Gaming, and Wave Motion. They also received MATLAB training from SI alum and OSC employee Alan Chalker. SI participants will use MATLAB for some of their projects. MATLAB is a high-performance language for technical computing that integrates computation, visualization, and programming in an easy-to-use environment where problems and solutions are expressed in familiar mathematical notation.
Evening activities included a scavenger hunt!
SI Students step into virtual worlds!
Thursday, July 10th 2008
This morning students attended a lecture given by OSC's own Don Stredney on the biomedical applications of supercomputing. The students were then let loose on OSC's Interface Lab where they were able to use the latest in surgical training simulation technology - like a temporal bone surgery teaching tool — and simulated virtual environments. The rest of the day students continued training and worked together on their projects.
In the evening, participants enjoyed "The Bourne Identity" during movie night.
SI Students visit the Center for Automotive Research!
Friday, July 11th 2008
This morning students worked and trained on their projects. During the afternoon field trip to the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) students learned about the technologies that are changing the future of automotive design and systems.
SI Students work through the week on their projects!
Monday - Friday, July 14 - 19, 2008
Students continued to work on their projects in preparation for their upcoming final presentations. This year's projects include Network Forensics, Molecular Dynamics of the Bird Flu Virus, Wave Motion and Sound, Game Programming, and the Comet Project. Throughout the week participants also received training on how to give a presentation.
