MESSAGE FROM AARON:

Hello Everyone,

Just wanted to send out a few items to everyone and let you know what's going on with the club:

Cart To Solar Project
We were sucessful in receiving our grant from the College Innovation Fund for $2500. Thank you everyone that showed up in helping write the grant proposal. It was a great success. Now it's time to work.

The P3 KillAWatt has come in, and I have been running some preliminary tests with the device as well as arranging a data collection method that we can coordinate with the Plant Operations department that will work good for all of us. The majority of carts do not have working hour meters so I am looking into either purchasing new ones or designing one using a LM555 timer. Anyone interested in a small electronics project, let me know...

As far as the solar panels go, I was going to have them ordered monday, but the person that is in control of the grant money won't be in until next week. On monday, I will be going in to make the initial order of solar panels. However, we do have a decision to make. Since PowerFilm is giving us a 40% discount on the panels, we have the option to possibly have 4 or 5 carts running around with panels. Is that something we are interested in?

We have also been authorized to have all the work on this project to be accredited through TCC's Volunteer Office. I will be giving everyone that participates in this project a TallyScript form where you can log the hours that you work on the project. If you can get at least 20 hours of volunteer service this semester, the volunteer office will have that documented on your transcript. This looks VERY GOOD and may help you in the future if volunteer services might be needed. With the cart project as well as other things we'll be doing, there is more than enough opportunity for all of us to get some volunteer service on our official college transcript.

CNC Training at TCC
With great thanks to Beth Mann Pace, the TCC EWD will begin offering CNC training. Check out the news release on TCC's web site:
http://www.tcc.fl.edu/about_tcc/news_events/news_archives/2008/january_2008/tcc_division_of_ewd_offers_cnc_machine_training
CNC's are amazing machines and are an integral part to the manufacturing industry. I used to program vector images of diesel engine mounting brackets that were converted for use on a CNC. Anyone interested needs to contact Ms. Pace as soon as possible.

Trail Work Volunteers
This weekend there is an epic trail works project going on at the Cadillac Trail on Lake Lafayette. I will be going out there to work on this major redesign project that is being coordinated by Trail Dynamics and the City of Tallahassee Parks Department. THis is something that we can take part in, and get volunteer hours that can go on our transcripts. I will be out there on Saturday afternoon as soon as I get out of the lab, and again on Sunday. Anyone interested, please call me at 850.251.9955 for more information.

Beer Anyone?
Just trying to get your attention. Quinn Straub, the Chair of the FAMU/FSU ASME Club has extended the opportunity for us to join them in a trip on March 1 to tour the Budweiser Plant in Jacksonville. There is also planning for a possible nuclear power plant in the works. Keep it in mind. We'll talk about it more at the next meeting.

New Web Site!!!
Thank you Michael. The Site looks great! When you get a chance, check oiut the new design of the club's web site: http://www.tccengineeringclub.com
This new site will definitely help us communicate a lot better. Michael has done a great job on creating an integrated forum and is now working on getting the blog up and going. This is great. While you're visiting the site, make sure to register for the forum and post your energy questions for the Town Hall Meeting. 19 days until the meeting and we need a lot more questions.



I am sure that there are some other exciting things that I am missing. There are a few other items that are in the works right now and I will inform all of you as to the details as soon as they come available. Please email me with any suggestions/ concerns that you may have about the club. bauld9a5@mymail.tcc.fl.edu

Thank you for you time and support,
Aaron Bauldree
TCC Engineering Club Chair
850.251.9955