Dear Diary: August 10, 2006

Entry By: Denay
“Today was a very fun and exciting day. I woke up at around 6:15am and went for a morning run/workout, boy was that challenging! We ran from our rooms all the way up to the fitness center, I couldn’t believe that I actually did it!  We went to breakfast which was very delicious and we got prepared for all of the day’s activities. We had class and we learned some new things. We also had a field trip today which was very fun because we had the chance to get hands on and actually play golf. That was a very fun activity and I would like to get a chance to go to Prokids again. We had dinner at the Hall of Champions which was very fun because we got the chance to meet new people and get to know some prominent women. I am very happy because I got the opportunity to be in this program and I am looking forward to the rest of my stay.”

Entry By: Michelle
“Today was the second day of the Get SSET camp.  We were able to use computer software in our class to do motion capture analysis.  My group analyzed the differences in two people’s tennis serve.  We found that when we used the transparencies to line them up, that they were very similar.  Also, today we learned to play golf at Prokids using the techniques we learned yesterday at the Titleist Institute.  Lastly, we ate dinner at the Hall of Champions with other people involved in a sports and science field.  We had a lot of fun.  I can’t wait to enjoy the rest of the week here at the beautiful campus of USD with the Get SSET program.”

Entry By: Cherise
“Today was really exciting!  In the classroom we did motion capture analysis using a software on the computer.  After doing a specific movement in a sport of our choice we could slow down our bodies and analyze our movements.  Then, the groups went to Prokids where we played golf using the techniques we learned at the Titleist Institute.  It was awesome to see how sports and science can work together side by side.”

Entry By: Cierra
“Our activities today were motion capture and analysis, an Aerodynamics lecture, the first part of our helmet design, Prokids, and dinner at the San Diego Hall of Champions.  In the motion capture and analysis we continued the activity that was discussed the previous day.  My partner and I each took turns completing a tennis serve, then we filmed both serves and transferred the video to a program called Dartfish.  I ended up learning how to use the program successfully and I was able to compare and contrast each of the serves. 
            Later after lunch we went back to the classroom for a lecture on aerodynamics.  During the session I learned about drag, lift, and shapes that are more aerodynamic than others.  Toward the end of the lecture a man from the San Diego Wind Tunnel came and spoke about the uses of the wind tunnel and how it can help athletes improve their race times by decreasing their draft.  We are also going to visit the wind tunnel tomorrow when we test our modified bicycle helmets.
            Late in the afternoon we visited the Prokids Center.  First we got a tour of the grounds, then we split up into two groups and went to the driving range and hit a cople of balls then switched to the putt-putt area.  This was a great experience for me because I have never golfed before and I found out I really enjoyed the sport. 
            After visiting the Prokids Center we headed for the San Diego Hall of Champions and had dinner with people of sport and science backgrounds.  I actually got to get up and speak in front of everyone about my experiences thus far in the Get SSET program.  Overall, I had a great time speaking with all of the guests.  They all had great advice for me and everyone else.”

Entry By: Chiara
“As the RA’s started knocking on my door, I slowly got up, and got ready for a morning run around the campus. The run was great for those that live to run up 2 hills down another, and working out in the gym. After the ‘fun’ run we all showered and went to eat a delicious breakfast in the cafeteria. Once we were done with breakfast we listened to a lecture about motion capture, and worked on a project with a partner. After lunch we talked about aerodynamics, and began thinking about how to improve a helmet to reduce drag. At 2:30 we went to the Prokids and learned how to hit a golf ball with a club. It was a lot of fun learning a new sport, and finding out about the Prokids program.
Lastly we went to have dinner at the Hall of Champions were we met many men and women who supported the Get SSet program.  It was a GREAT day, and I can’t wait till tomorrow.”

Entry By: Tania
“This morning I was woken up at 6 in the morning.  Some of us went running and went to the gym.  We came back and ate breakfast.  We then worked on our motion capture and analysis project.  After lunch we had an Aerodynamics lecture from David, a worker at the Aerospace Museum.   We were then introduced to our next project; which is designing helmets to make them more aerodynamic.  We went to Prokids and learned about the different strokes.  We had a competition and it was very fun.  We finished up our day by going to the Hall of Champions.  We met some amazing people.  We met women from channel 8, the Padres’ organizer, and a lady from the Union Tribune.  It was very interesting talking to them and I really enjoyed it.”

Entry By: Catalina
“Today I learned and experienced many new things.  The day started with a project of Motion Capture and I saw lots of things that could improve my volleyball serve.  We later had an Aerodynamics lecture, it was very interesting and informative.  We went on a fieldtrip to the Prokids field and practiced my putting and my skills on the driving range.  So far I have had lots of fun in this program.  Get SSET has changed my outlook on science and what females can do to help science get better.  I also have been able to relate science to sports which is very cool because they are my two favorite subjects.”

Entry By: Carolina
“Today was awesome, we did so many fun things!  We started the day with a good run, (I didn’t go), but I took a nice shower.  Then after breakfast we left for the classroom to learn about Aerodynamics.  I was paying attention then sometimes not paying attention.  It was fun though, I liked it.  We went to Prokids.  It was great, now I love golf!  I’m really excited for tomorrow.  I get to see a wind tunnel!  You know college life isn’t that bad! (Except if you tell everybody ghost stories in the dark, OUTSIDE!!!!)”

Entry By: Stephanie L.
“Wow! What a day, I loved every part of it.  My day began with the sound of silence; which was quite unexpected considering I had set my alarm clock for 6:30 to take a shower.  Luckily I woke up in time thanks to the alarm clock in my head. (Joking).  I then took a cold shower (once again something I did not plan for).  Next we went to breakfast.  I had “tots” and French toast with no syrup (go figure).  After breakfast the group went to a lecture joined with work on a program called Dartfish.  We used Dartfish to capture a motion then analyze that motion.  Both things were interesting.  We took a lunch break and after re-joined to have another lecture on aerodynamics and begin work on making a helmet that will get little drag.  Next we went to the Prokids golf center.  The center is a place for city kids to learn important life lessons through the game of golf.  The center was my favorite activity because we got to do something hands on instead of take a tour or listen to a lecture.  When we were done everyone loaded on the bus and we went to the Hall of Champions.  We had a nice dinner and got to talk with and hear from different people.  Though the people were interesting my favorite part was getting to tour the museum.  To end the night an RA told a story and we all got to sit outside on the lawn.”