Journal entries imported from the previous iteration of wisrd.org

REMY

Remy Wood

WISRD 2016/ 2017/2018/ 2019/ 2020

4/13/20

We are currently working on taking the prototype of the interactive objects further, now focusing on how users can decide exactly where they want the objects to be.

Also, now that we have basic shapes down, we are working on making different objects. Possinly things from our WISRD Lab such as A 3D printer and a Lathe

4/2/20

We have been doing research on the AR Market. Here is an intersting fact we have found.

Although often overshadowed by virtual reality (VR), AR is expected to take the lion’s share of the market. According to one estimate, the AR market will be worth between $70bn and $75bn by 2023, while VR is expected to be worth between $10bn and $15bn.

3/15/20

Here is the link to the product we are working on. We developed a program where you are able to interact with a shapes in augmented reality, meaning you can move them and hold them, while also being completely aware of your own surroundings. Although a simple concept, our ability to execute our goal shows the practical accessibility AR development offers.

: https://jsfiddle.net/w69nuqjs/

2/12/20

Here is JSFiddle which we are using to develop a product idea.

https://jsfiddle.net/

2/6/20

We are currently in the initial phases of playing around with JSFiddle JSFiddle is an online IDE service and online community for testing and showcasing user-created and collaborative HTML, CSS and JavaScript code snippets, known as ‘fiddles’, which was the perfect place to test our concept.

An update on Hardware: For the hardware , we are using a Microsoft HoloLens 1. The HoloLens is a pair of mixed reality smart glasses developed and manufactured by Microsoft. HoloLens was the first head-mounted display running the Windows Mixed Reality platform under the Windows 10 computer operating system. The tracking technology used in HoloLens can trace its lineage to Kinect, an add-on for Microsoft’s Xbox gaming console that was introduced in 2010.

1/18/20

The collobarator from digital dragon and I have been researchign possible implications and methods we could use to approach this project.

Here are some links we have been using:

https://microsoft.github.io/HoloJS/spin-make.html

Download the Spin app for Hololens
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/spin-view/9nxbc7673v0s?rtc=1&activetab=pivot:overviewtab

Scan the QR codes inside the spin app to try out the apps
https://microsoft.github.io/HoloJS/app-samples.html

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/mixed-reality/holograms-100

12/2/19

We have partnered with Digital Dragon to devleop our own AR technology on the hololens. We are in the first phases of the collaboration so we are figuring out how it will work.

10/28/19

Dark Matter Day is this Wednesday, 10/30/19, from 6:30 to 8:30 in the Wildwood Gallery. Here is the Event plan I have been working on, as well as a poster we have been using for PR.

DARK MATTER DAY
WEDNESDAY 30th OF OCTOBER – 6:30-8:30 p.m. (Gallery; M/U Campus)

Info – Around Halloween, scientists around the world celebrate the hunt for dark matter. At Wildwood’s middle and upper campus, elementary and middle school students will celebrate this search for dark matter with a spooky Halloween costume party. Get dressed up and get ready for fun activities and experiments! While this event is aimed for elementary and middle school students, parents and upper school students are welcome.

NEED
10-12 boxes of pizza
4 cases of water
4 cases of soda
6 tables (w table covers)
15 chairs (on edges of the gallery for people if they want to sit)
Halloween Decorations (Buy some, Remy bring 2 boxes, anyone else?)

POSTER –

Target Audience
Elementary and Middle School Students and Families
Older students are welcome but not our target (They are targeted for poster presentation week after)

Activations
Photobooth (Set up Camera on tripod with Halloween/science props)
DJ (Zach Sternberg?)
VR (Two VR setups with Engage open to play spooky games)
WISRD fun games
Pumpkin carving?
3D Print spiders
Dark Matter Table Presentation
????

PR
Announcement at All School Meeting Monday 10/7/19
Announcement at Elementary School All School Meeting TBD
Twitter, Instagram
Put up posters around wildwood
Get KOFI to blast out announcements about it in weekly newsletter to parents

10/23/19

I have been talking with the Product and Project manager of Spatial, a new AR collobariation software. Spatial enables holographic telepresence through augmented reality, turning any room into a 3D workspace. With Spatial, users connect remotely and express ideas seamlessly using lifelike avatars, unlocking a new level of computing that is not confined by space, no matter what device they are using. Spatial has created an entirely new way of working together that has the potential to disrupt the 1 Billion dollar video conferencing business owned largely by Cisco Spark. Spatial could also affect the travel industry, as XR (extended reality) meetings could radically reduce the need for expensive business travel.

10/17/19

I am looking into Lookingglassfactory.com. It is a hologram, desktop software and looks very intresting. I will update with how it works

10/15/19

I have finished my first draft of a research paper I am writing on the practicalities and implications of virtual reality collaboration. It is based on the research done on the weather balloon project. I am hoping to publish the paper in the spring, for the WISRD Journal.

Here is the introduction, pulled straight from the paper.

“It has long been prognosticated that the future of modern business practices will be rooted in artificial reality. What was once just the ideas of science fiction is now being tested and implemented across the world. The popularity of VR headsets Oculus, HTC Vive, Samsung Gear, and Google Daydream to name a few have brought the possibility of VR into the hands of consumers across the globe. The popularity of Virtual Reality chat rooms, augmented reality applications like Pokemon GO, and AR/VR available on smartphones, brings the reality of a Ready Player One environment one step closer to the everyday consumer. The question now is how close is the current Virtual Reality technology available to being used in the modern technological world and can it replace the current systems set in place.”

10/1/19

I have began to research a new platform for AR collaboration called spatial.

This is what I have found so far –

Spatial can be accessed with any device: VR, PC, smartphone, or an AR HMD like the HoloLens. Spatial’s voice-driven 3D web browser brings objects into a shared space, where users can manipulate them and view them from every angle. Ultimately, with the use of Spatial, collaboration becomes an immersive 3D experience where you can express ideas visually by just saying them, organize thoughts in the room around you and never let space confine your work.

9/20/19

I ordered the WISRD Shirts today, we went with a very exciting DARK BLUE color.

9/15/19

I have been researching new forms of VR and AR collaboration, to broaden our research from being just based in Engage. I have reached out to multiple platforms and companies and I’m waiting to hear back from them.

5/18/19

Instrumentation Tests

All tests were brought down to a temperature between -32.7 and -78.5 (degrees C)

• Cosmic Ray temp test – dry ice was used to test if the cosmic ray with pocket heater in bag. Bag was placed in dry ice for 1 hour

• PASCO was also used to determine ambient air temp.

• RESULTS – Components of inside Styrofoam containing cosmic ray detector an heater stayed warm.

• PLA vs Nylon G material test – dry ice was used to test two materials that are possibly being used for payload. Both materials were placed in dry ice for 1 hour.

• RESULTS – Pressure was applied to both pieces (PLA and Nylon G0 and both withstood forced pressure. Temp did not affect either piece.

• Styrofoam was tested with dry ice, at the temp of dry ice (-78.5 degrees C)

• RESULTS – Styrofoam withstood temp with no repercussions.

• Mesh wire was tested in dry ice at a temperature of -78.5 9degrees C).

• RESULTS – when forced pressure was applied (pulling the mesh apart) it stayed strong and did not become brittle.

Expected Values – Expected temp at 100,000 feet. -51

Expected pressure at 100,000 feet. Barometric Pressure = 8.36 / Atmospheric Pressure = 0.162

Dry Ice = -78.5 (degrees C)

1/18/19

As Director of Public Relations and Business Manager for WISRD I have been looking at possibilities of monetization for the institute.

Possibilities for Monetization (Brainstorm)

• Rocket Launch (with curriculum)

• 3D Print Toys

• Metaverse Tours

• Cryptocurrency

• CNC Builds

• 3D Print Parts

• Virtual Space Production

• Conferences and workshops

• Wednesday Night Adult workshop

1/14/19

This morning I gave a presentation to a group of educators on Engage VR and the possibilities of Virtual Reality in the Class Room

12/18/18

I have been running multiple open house presentations. As Public Relations Director it is important that I focus on the outreach of the institute. One part of this is presenting WISRD to incoming students of Wildwood School. Key aspects of the presentation include

• The Institute Model

• WISRD Current Projects

• WISRD Partnerships

10/30/18

Today we celebrated Dark Matter Day. I organized the event and chaired the committee. It was another huge success, and I think it was a great way to expand the institute’s outreach.

11/9/17

As I am writing my article for The Inquirer (WISRD’s Science Magazine), I have realized how drastically the Institute model WISRD uses is so different from the ‘school’ model. In school, procrastination and time wasting is extremely common, as is socializing with students while completing work that once finished will never be looked at again. In an institute this cannot happen. All members are part of the institute so they can produce work that will contribute and benefit WISRD. As all 37 members of WISRD are 9th-12th grade students, it is inevitable for everyone to fall back into the comfort of ‘school’ learning, but what we are all striving to do is move away from this ‘school’ model of learning that is so unlike the real world and move more toward a place where we are working in the institute model, and not like high school students. From being a part of this Institute model, I have come found that if you do not strive to find things out for yourself, once you get to the real world searching for real jobs you can’t just act like a student completing school work. You must strive to look deeper than the surface that school shows you, and being in an Institute model forces you to do this.

10/25/17

I have been the head of the Dark Matter Day committee and have been organizing our event for Dark Matter Day. It has been a very interesting process organizing the activities, decorations, food, entertainment, and space, but I have really enjoyed it.

This was a poster I made for the Outreach for the Event.

Dark Matter Day Poster (1)

10/15/17

The Vr Team, Avery, Kai and Myself , presented at the IntelaVR Day, educating teachers on how they can use Virtual Reality in education and in their class rooms. This was a great opportunity to show the institutes research in this area and for the team to work on public presentations.

9/13/17

I have made progress with the virtualization of the theater. We have a simple 3d model of the space made in Unity, and are going to begin adding textures and planning to start a movement script for Oculus.

9/5/17

Beginning a new year with WISRD I have a few projects I am working on. As part of the AR/VR team I am working to virtualize the theatre, using past knowledge from our virtualization of the gallery. I am trying to make a virtual environment of the theatre so the Performing Arts department at Wildwood School can use the virtual space to plan out productions.

I have also been working closely with the Aerodynamics Team to create a Video for their Project. This is part of my work with the WISRD Production Team.

3/13/17

A few days ago, Matt Clausen, a JPL associate visited WISRD. As part of the production team, I was tasked with making a video about his visit. This helped me with editing, production, and film skills. I posted the video to the WISRD youtube page, but I have realized the video wasn’t perfect and there are some mistakes. Since I am still getting used to putting my work out to the public, I am slowly starting to realize that every thing I do for the institute is public, so I need to make sure that what I am putting out to the public best represents WISRD. This was a good learning curve for me as now I am beginning to just put that little bit of extra focus that is needed when working on public projects.

I am looking forward to making more video’s like this one

3/2/17

I have not posted in a while – which is an issue as – as I have been focused on other projects but I will be posting much more regularly hence forth.

We have continued production on the WISRD promotional video and I have also been working on other projects.

The skeleton building team; Lexi and Stella, needed more support on their base to hold the skeleton. I added a ‘T’bar to the pole, as well as two pieces either side of the T for extra support. I was able to practice and work on my engineering skills here as I had to figure out what was the best way to support the weight of the skeleton, while still minimizing space for the supports.

2/9/17 

Yesterday we shot the computer science interview. It turned out really well and now we are starting to piece together some of the footage we have gathered in Post Production. Working on Post Production is Aidan S and myself.

2/3/17

We shot the intro for the WISRD promo video today. The intro involves shooting one take moving around the WISRD lab showing off all the various projects we have going on. It will be a very nice shot and after a couple of takes it turned out pretty well.

2/1/17

We shot most of the B- roll footage for the Video today. B-roll footage is any footage that gives more description and detail to a topic and is visually pleasing. Instead of just having the interviewees talk on camera for the whole 10 minutes of the video, it will be much more interesting and appealing if we have well shot b roll footage of action in the institute while the interviewees answer the question.

We have also collaborated with former WISRD member (who graduated last year) Elliot Friedman. He has a lot of experience and equipment beneficial to shooting the B roll. He is also an expert drone operator so we hope to take advantage of his expertise some how in the video.

1/31/17

Today we shot the first interview with the Hydroponics team. We shot the interview (which was about 10 minutes long) in the WISRD lab. The interview went well, with well answered questions from the team. We are thinking of re shooting though, as this was the first interview and there were some equipment faults. The focus on the main camera was too soft and the audio didn’t turn out as well as we had hoped. We want this project to be a very well made promotion of the institute so if that means re shooting interviews or other shots then that’s what we will do.

1/24/17

We have completed the story board for the promo video. We include interviews with WISRD members, narration of the WISRD model, mixed in with plenty of well shot B-roll of action in the institute (3d printing, Lathe work, building a skeleton, board meeting, CNC work etc). We begin shooting next class!

1/20/17

The pre production of the WISRD Film – Who We Are is going well. We have established a shot list and logistics of how and when we are going to get the shots. The goal of making this video is one to advertise what WISRD does, but also to show that WISRD isn’t just for Science nerds. It is to show that when you are a part of the institute you have so many opportunities to do so many different things.

 ~ Shot list made for the Promo Video in Pre Production.

1/15/17

I have joined the WISRD Production team and we are beginning to make our promotional Video – Who We Are. We have began post production. I have taken on the roles of producer, camera lead and co editor as I have experience in all.

1/5/17

This is the design for my cut on the cnc using inlays. I am making a cutting board, and putting an inlay in the cutting board, then using a different material for the insert, I fill the inlay. This is what the design looks like.

~Cut Out Insert~

~Inlay For Cutting Board~

Once I get the process down, I am hoping to put these cutting boards on the Wisrd Store.

12/25/16

As well as continuing to learn HTML, I have started using the cnc machine. I have started a project using inlays and cut out pieces to insert into the inlay!

12/22/16

I have continued learning HTML code, and I have advanced in the course. I am hoping to challenge myself soon with this type of code.

12/9/16

I have started learning HTML code. I am using codecademy’s html course and I am making good progress.

11/20/16

We have built the clock, and our now finding out how everything works together. We ran into issues with the swing of the pendulum at first, but now we have the clock ready to work.

10/30/16

I have been working on the clock and doing research to do with clock building and mechanical engineering for the past month. It has been very interesting and I am hoping to use my new found knowledge towards helping WISRD with more projects like this.

The clock is almost finshed!

My learning outcomes when joining WISRD, would be to broaden my knowledge in a range of different topics by learning new skills and challenging myself. I would especially like to focus on mechanical engineering (building stuff) because I enjoy doing that.