TO: Angela Thieman Dino, Professor ENLP 3100

FROM: Jake McGrath, Student ENLP 3100

DATE: 29 April, 2020

SUBJECT: Outreach Tic Tac Toe

In order to supplement research for ENLP 3100, Complex Leadership Challenges, students were required to conduct individual outreach in various forms to complete the tic tac toe board. In order to best make connections and increase situational awareness of university resources, I researched a potential conference I would like to attend, examined university clubs or space related resources, and contributed to the course Slack channel. 

First, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) offers a variety of free educational workshops and conferences in order to support space education. One such conference, located here in Denver, is the Lunar Surface Science Workshop. The purpose of this workshop is to discuss potential technologies and research opportunities that could result from manned exploration to the lunar south pole. In order to get admitted to the workshop, I would have had to submit an abstract about my idea for an exploration mission. Unfortunately, the event has been postponed until further notice, but I would like to submit my ideas once the workshop is rescheduled. 

Next, there are copious space related programs at the University of Colorado, Boulder; CU Boulder is the only institution that has sent instruments to all nine planets. This, in conjunction with CU’s top five aerospace engineering program, means I did not have to look far for space related resources. One of the best resources I could find is an organization called Space Grant. Space grant is a statewide, NASA funded student organization. Students interact with scientists and engineers from NASA and private aerospace companies to design and test new flight technologies. While I would love to be a member of Space Grant, my free time is limited. Nevertheless, it seems like a fascinating organization to join. 

Finally, the class Slack channel offered important interaction in a time of isolation. Now more than ever, students seem to be suffering from email fatigue, so I thought it important to share limited but stimulating information. I have shared my final synthesis video and the occasional dog picture on the general channel. Privately with  you, I have shared relevant information about COVID-19 in order to increase situational awareness. I approached it when others have shared articles or coping techniques with me, so I am thrilled I could do the same.

I look forward to attending the conference and potentially interacting with Space Grant once we are able to return to normal life. Overall, this activity broadened my horizons; under normal circumstances it would have contributed positively to my space research.