UROP Project

Development of STEM outreach and exhibits at the Challenger Learning Center

High Voltage, Electrical Engineering, Zero Emission Aviation, STEM Outreach
Research Mentor: cheetham@eng.famu.fsu.edu Peter Cheetham, Dr.
Department, College, Affiliation: Electrical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Contact Email: cheetham@eng.famu.fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators: Alan Hanstein
Faculty Collaborators Email: ahanstein@challengertlh.com
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: 2000 Levy Ave Tallahassee Florida (Center for Advanced Power Systems), and 200 S Duval St, Tallahassee, FL 32301 (Challenger Learning Center)
Research Assistant Transportation Required: City of Tallahassee buses and FSU bus
Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Not participating in the roundtable

Project Description

I run the high voltage lab at Florida State University's Center for Advanced Power Systems (FSU-CAPS) and have a background in electrical engineering, cryogenics, and superconducting power systems. For this year I would like to utilize the UROP students to assist in developing exhibits and STEM outreach teaching sessions to be hosted at the Challenger Learning Center. Projects we have started to develop in include a hand crank slot car track to mimic an electric aircraft "taking off" and programming tesla coils to "sing" a song. Students will help to develop content for the classes and will also assist in demonstrating concepts as part of the teaching sessions. There is also the opportunity to assist in research ongoing at (FSU-CAPS) where I can teach you how to blow stuff up with high voltage electricity.

Research Tasks: Develop stem outreach experiments, develop course content for STEM outreach teaching sessions, complete hands-on research at FSU-CAPS

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: * Punctuality
* Intellectual Curiosity

Mentoring Philosophy

I have been helping out with UROP for ~10 years and have mentored 20+ students. Most students have continued as researchers at FSU-CAPS or transitioned to other research positions upon completion of UROP. I have also had 2 of these students complete a Master's thesis with me and one is now doing his Ph.D. under my supervision. Every student is different and we will figure out what is the best strategy for mentor/mentee relationship based on your learning style. All I ask for is clear communication, willingness to learn new things, and ability to work as part of team.

Additional Information


Link to Publications

https://fsu-my.sharepoint.com/personal/pc14f_fsu_edu/_layouts/15/onedrive.aspx?id=%2Fpersonal%2Fpc14f%5Ffsu%5Fedu%2FDocuments%2FSTEM%20High%20Voltage%20Experiment&ga=1