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Go Space Aces go
November 9, 2009
ACC’s Got Talent Shiphrah Meditz Staff Writer
Teodora Erbes• Staff Photographer
SPACE ACES — Dr. Allen Underwood, ACC physics instructor, explains the apparatus setup for the Smart Resistive Exercise Simulator in Microgravity, part of which is shown in the front. Dr. Underwood is the faculty advisor for the group of students that submitted a proposal to NASA’s Microgravity Experiment Opportunities.
Austin Space Aces submit zero gravity experiment to NASA Travis Chapman Staff Writer
The Austin Space Aces have submitted an experiment to NASA and now have to wait until Dec. 9 to find out if they will get a chance test it in zero gravity. The Space Aces are a group of students that every year attempt to come up with an experiment to test a theoretical principle in a microgravity environment. This year’s experiment, according to team member and treasurer Drew Doggett, is free weight mimicry. “It’s a computer that can simulate weight in zero gravity.” Doggett explains, “It’s a way to exercise in space, stay fit, and keep bone density up.” Both muscle atrophy and bone density loss in astronauts are concerns. According to Space.com, bone strength dipped 14 percent in astronauts who spent half-a-year in the orbiting laboratory. Christina Vasquez, ex president and founder of the Space Aces, explained that ACC is one of hundreds of schools that submit
experiment proposals to NASA which selects 50 schools to fly down to Johnston Space Center and perform their experiment. “It’s not a competition, it’s a think tank,” said Vasquez. “It’s an ideal opportunity,” adds Doggett. Vasquez states, “It’s a full year of work.” The group got together in July, submitted their proposal Oct. 28, and on Dec. 9 they find out if they were selected. If they are, they fly down to Johnston Space Center to perform the experiment and write a conclusion. They won’t finish until July. The Space Aces have a diverse group of students from ACC, St. Edwards, Texas State, and local high school students. Explaining the weight machine, Doggett said, “You type in a weight, and the computer relays the information to the machine. So when force is applied, the computer keeps the force constant so it consistently feels like you’re lifting a 30 pound weight instead of a 30 pound, then a 20 pound, then a 40 pound [weight].”
The first ever talent show showcased student skill at the Eastview Campus. On Oct. 22, ACC’s Got Talent-Our Time To Shine, sponsored and hosted by Women of Influence (WOI), featured fourteen acts, including interpretive dances, singing, instrument playing, stand up comedy and rap. The talent show was used to raise funds for students to attend the Southern Black Student Leadership conference in College Station. “We are saving up money for our ten officers to go to the conference at Texas A&M next semester,” WOI President, Jayneese Fitzgerald said. “We’ve had various fund raiser ideas such as a car wash and a bake show, but when Jayneese thought of the talent show, we decided that was our best choice,” Krystal Sheppard, the Executive Director of WOI, said. WOI has raised money in the past, including donating $525 to help a girl undergo an operation to remove a brain tumor. An audience of about 200 attended the talent show where students competed for the top prize of $100 and tickets to the last installment in the Twilight series, “New Moon.” During intermission, local rap artist Saul Paul preformed for the crowd, and refreshments were provided by WOI. Throughout the show, raffle tickets were drawn randomly and a variety of prizes such as flashlights and thumb drives were given away. WOI’s online communications director, Kaneisha Cobbs, closed the evening with poetry as the Talent Committee tallied the votes. Rap performer Diovioni Andrew came in first, followed by Matthew Clark in second and the dance duo Kiera Colbert and Blake Druery winning third.
Teodora Erbes • Staff Photographer
ABOVE — Janeece Calvert won fifth place with her dance partner Karla Vera they both cheered and enthused the audience at this year’s ‘ACC’s Got Talent. On Oct. 22, at Eastview Campus. RIGHT — Rapper Saul Paul animated the intermission act. The talent show was preseneted by Women of Influence. Teodora Erbes • Staff Photographer