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A Sampling of Summer Intern Experiences
by
Kathryn Lebo, Communications intern
There is no doubt that the Air and Space Museum offers interns a diverse selection of experiences, from restoration to finance. Below is a small sampling from among the 62 interns who contributed to a variety of NASM projects this summer.
 This isn't Zac Mennona's first time at NASM, as he was an intern for Visitor Services in 2015. This year, however, he moved over to the UHC and joined the Education team, working with Margy Natalie and Gloria Fulwood. A recent graduate of Appalachian State with a degree in Middle Grades Education, he is responsible for coordinating educational activities during family days and special events at Udvar-Hazy. Zac is from Boone, North Carolina, and has always possessed a desire to make education "not only attainable, but awe-inspiring."
 Having previously interned for two years at NASA Ames, Lois Rosson was more than ready to intern with Matt Shindell in the Space History department this summer. She's a first-year PhD student at U.C. Berkeley studying the history of science. This summer, her work focuses on the history of illustration in planetary science. Originally from Hemet, California, Lois majored in art as an undergrad and occasionally paints for fun. Some of her excellent work can be seen online.
 There's been a few changes to the way things look at NASM this summer thanks to Camille Hay. An exhibits design intern working with Jennifer Carlton, she was behind the redesign of the observatory logo. She also designed a plaque for the telescope in the observatory used by President Obama on White House Astronomy Night, as well as the new signage for Smithsonian TechQuest. Camille is from Houston, Texas and a recent graduate of Sam Houston State University, where she studied graphic design. She recently accepted a position at an architectural firm in DC.
 With all the planning surrounding the July 1 event, Patrick Hutchings chose a very busy summer to intern in Lectures and Seminars. With his supervisor, Katie Moyer, he was involved in planning, ticketing, and coordinating with service providers. In addition to the July 1 event, Patrick has also worked on other public lectures and has even developed a proposal for a future program. He is from Salt Lake City, Utah, and will be entering his senior year at the University of Utah where he studies Communications. Patrick hopes to one day work in programming at a museum or public library.
 Hiruni Senarath Dassanayake's position in CEPS working with John Grant is a sizeable step toward her dream of becoming a planetary geologist. An international student from Sri Lanka, she graduated this spring from SUNY Buffalo State where she studied earth science with a concentration in geology. This summer, Hiruni is mapping around the Hale Crater on Mars to understand the geomorphic and geologic history of the Red Planet. She's excited to be conducting geological research that goes hand-in-hand with NASA's planetary studies.
 Two more CEPS interns, Samuel Cartwright and Michael Sierleja, were fortunate enough to travel to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Colorado to do field work with their supervisor Jim Zimbelman. The work was in support of research objectives for a NASA grant. The survey conducted this year was compared to similar work in June of 2015, which documented how some individual sand dunes had moved during the intervening year. Results from both surveys have been submitted to the annual meeting of the Geological Society of America, which will be held in Denver in September. Both Sam and Mike are geology majors -- Sam at Middlebury College and Mike at Kent State. View a photo album of both interns in the field. |
 New Stories from History's Greatest Adventure
In July, as we do every summer, we commemorated the six days in 1969 when the world stopped to watch Apollo 11 make history. This year, for the 47th anniversary, we reached people in the Museum and around the world like never before.
Hundreds of millions of people have seen the Command Module Columbia since we opened our doors in 1976, peering through the hatch, and perhaps picturing what it may have been like inside the ship. Working with our friends at the Smithsonian Digitization Program Office, now anyone in the world can get inside the CM and see what it was like on that historic mission with a detailed 3D model of the spacecraft. It includes the writing on the wall we uncovered during the scanning process earlier this year, showing that there are always new discoveries to be made and new stories to tell, even for Apollo 11.
At the UHC, Neil Armstrong's iconic EVA helmet and gloves went on display, giving the public a preview of the work we're doing to conserve and display the full Apollo 11 spacesuit before the 50th anniversary in 2019. Last summer, our successful Kickstarter campaign proved that crowdsourcing was a valuable new method for fundraising at the Smithsonian, and now we're exploring it as a research and engagement tool. To build a more complete record of the Armstrong suit, we launched a campaign to collect photos and stories of people encountering the suit on its 50-state tour before it came to NASM. We've received some great responses so far, providing valuable information and a new way for the public to invest directly in our scholarship.
Our new digital engagement platform, GO FLIGHT, is comprised of our new app, website, and the spectacular 200-square-foot interactive wall in the Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall. One of its best features is the ability for people to share their stories and make a personal connection to history. Last month, most people posted their memories about where they were when Neil Armstrong took that first small step, but not all of them. Some shared stories of learning about Apollo 11 in school, or what their parents and grandparents had told them about seeing it live. That highlights the importance of pushing the boundaries of how we reach and engage with the public, inside the Museum and around the world. How can we make one of humanity's greatest achievements personal for people born years or decades after the race was won?
Apollo is part of our core identity at NASM, and the public's enduring interest grants us ample opportunities for dramatic displays and innovative interpretations. But after 40 years, our challenge has shifted, from commemorating one of history's greatest achievements for the people who lived it together, to making that connection for new generations. That personal connection is how we'll accomplish our moonshot, to inspire the world to take the next giant leap.
J.R. Dailey
John and Adrienne Mars Director |
  NASM Conservators Awarded Status
The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC) has recognized two NASM conservators with peer-reviewed awards: Lisa Young was appointed a Fellow in the organization and Amanda Malkin received Professional Associate status. AIC members with Professional Associate or Fellow designation are conservation professionals who have had their training, knowledge, and experience reviewed by a body of professional conservators who are recognized in the field for their commitment to the purposes for which AIC was established. Congratulations to both! |
 10th Volume of Artefacts Published
The 10th volume of Artefacts: Studies in the History of Science and Technology, published by SI Scholarly Press, has been released. This volume is entitled Objects in Motion: Globalizing Technology. Martin Collins is managing editor of the series, a cooperative effort between the Smithsonian Institution, the British Science Museum, and the Deutsches Museum in Munich. |
 Stern Gives STEAM Presentation
Peter Stern gave a presentation for a STEAM (STEM + Arts) conference for the Virginia Association of Science Teachers at Northern Virginia Community College on July 20. In his talk, titled "Museums, Aviation, Art and Ecology: a Multifaceted Life Experience," he spent the first half discussing how NASM uses technology in designing and producing exhibitions. In the second portion, he discussed his own semi-professional career as a pilot and aerial photographer, making what he describes as fine-art aerial photographs of the Mid-Atlantic region, presented through his unique vision as an aerial photographer who captures "paintings on the land" from his airplane. |
 Weitekamp on Comic-Con Panel
Margaret Weitekamp moderated a panel at Comic-Con in San Diego, California on Friday, July 22. "Trek Talks: Science, Smithsonian, and Star Trek" featured Margaret; Dr. Sonny Kohli, the team leader for Cloud DX, a finalist for the Qualcomm Tricorder X Prize; and Prof. David Grier from New York University, who is developing a tractor beam. The panel promoted the new Smithsonian Channel documentary Building Star Trek, in which the panel participants appear. |
 UHC Hosts Teacher Workshop
by Sandra O'Connell, UHC volunteer
Parachute tests, rocket launchings, propeller experiments, moon rocks exploration, programming an orbit using Ozobots, building a Mars rover - these are just a few of the activities teachers were able to sample in a summer workshop at Udvar-Hazy in June. Sponsored by a grant from the Smithsonian's Women's Committee, UHC Education hosted the five-day professional development program for 21 teachers who represented a diverse group of area schools: Loudoun, Fairfax, and Arlington County, Baltimore, the District, and several private schools. The STEM-based course, led by our educator-in- residence, Barb Gruber, was a collaborative effort by UHC Education with presentations from Elizabeth Borja and Paul Ceruzzi. The goals were to discover ways to use artifacts to engage students and bring the resources of the Museum into the classroom. For a return session in the fall, the teachers will be presenting projects that demonstrate the roles played by women in aviation and aerospace. The photo above shows Barb explaining how to test an airfoil for lift. |
  Whitten and Campbell Publish Geology Article
CEPS scientists Jennifer Whitten and Bruce Campbell published "Recent volcanic resurfacing of Venusian craters" in the journal Geology, first published online in June 2016. Read the abstract. |
 Caspari a Webinar Panelist
Ann Caspari was a panelist on a webinar hosted by the White House initiative "100K in 10," an effort to provide professional development opportunities to 100,000 classroom teachers in 10 years. Ann shared the Science in Pre-K model of working with DC Public Schools to introduce STEM concepts in the pre-K classroom. |
 Grove Article in History News
Tim Grove's article Historical Thinking is an Unnatural Act was published in the spring 2016 issue of History News. It features photos from America by Air. Read the article. |
 Wallace Returns from First Coast Guard Reserve Duty
Anthony Wallace just returned from his first stint with the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve. He graduated from basic training last January, followed by Boatswain's Mate A School at Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown. Anthony is assigned to Port Security Unit (PSU) 305 as a tactical crewmember based in Fort Eustis, Virginia. PSU 305's mission is to provide port security in support of military and humanitarian operations worldwide. 305 will be deploying to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in 2017 in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel. Anthony is the recipient of the Boatcrew Excellence Award. The photo above was taken at Anthony's graduation at Yorktown. With Anthony in the photo are, from left to right, Anthony's father, Lowell; his wife, Dawn; Tony Carp; and Pat and Amy Robinson. |
 Russo Attends Exhibition Opening
Carolyn Russo attended the opening of the exhibition based on her book, "Art of the Airport Tower," on June 29 at the airport in Helsinki, Finland. Remarks were given by the Director of Helsinki Airport and several staff members from the U.S. Embassy were in attendance. Local sponsors included Finnair, Finavia, and Epson. Carolyn also gave a talk that day at Rajala Photography in Helsinki. |
  Science Workshop
Mike Hulslander and John Anderson collaborated with staff from the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) to conduct a workshop for 20 science teachers from across the country. The focus of the workshop was on the connection between the forces of flight, aircraft design, and energy. The NASM workshop was part of the Smithsonian Science Education Academy for Teachers: Energy's Innovations and Implications week-long professional development. |
Employees Assist DIA Museum and NRO
Layne Karafantis hosted a representative from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), which was in need of a consult for a proposed on-site DIA museum. Lauren Horelick, Brian McGarry, and Anthony Wallace contributed their expertise while Layne moderated the discussion. The DIA visitor was very thankful for the assistance and contacts that Museum staff offered. She invited the NASM consultants to both visit the DIA and attend the eventual ribbon-cutting ceremony for the DIA Museum.
Archives and Collections staff gave a tour of the archives and artifact storage areas at the Hazy Center to the staff from the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). NRO is revising their collections management plan and upgrading their storage facilities for artifacts and archival materials. |
 Ask Information Technology
The Intern season is in full swing with many getting ready to depart during August. As some intern sessions end, others are just beginning with new or returning interns starting this month. Therefore as a reminder for any person starting with SI, they will need to complete the Computer Security Awareness Training. This training is required to be completed within 30 days of their accounts being created to keep them active. For those returning interns who took the training last year, the training is an annual requirement that must be completed within each Fiscal Year. To complete the training or check to see if you have completed the training for FY16, you can log in using your network credentials at
http://securitytraining.si.edu. For any questions or additional information, please contact the NASM Solution Center (
[email protected] or 202-633-2300). We are available and here to help.
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| Advancement News
Southwest Airlines made a gift of round-trip air travel vouchers and
Fairfax County awarded the Museum a $100,000 grant to support the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.
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Comings and Goings
Katherine Kosearas transferred from the U.S. Department of Justice to NASM HR.
Ramsey Gorchev left NASM to go to the Department of the Army, and Sharon Norquest left to start her own business. |
A Reminder Regarding Staff Changes
Mo Taylor will be leaving NASM as of September 1 to pursue an opportunity at Virginia Tech University. Laura Gleason will serve as interim director for Advancement, and Meg Caulk will serve as the interim director of External Affairs, overseeing the areas of Special Events, Public Engagement, and Visitor Services. |
Feds Feed Families: Join the Fun and Make a Difference
As mentioned in the recent Town Hall, NASM is participating in Feds Feed Families. This annual food drive will end on August 31. To make it interesting, NASM is holding a can sculpture contest. Teams will be formed as follows (team leaders are in parentheses):
Team 1 - West End Offices (Ashlee Prevette)
Team 2 - Center and Parking Level Offices (Brian Frank)
Team 3 - East End Offices (Kelly Bloom)
Team 4 - Garber (Marcy Borger)
Team 5 - Hazy (Megan Wenderoff)
Please contact your team leader about where to bring your donations and for details about building the sculpture. Good luck! |
Southwest Airlines Vouchers Available for Official Travel
Twenty-four Southwest Airlines round-trip vouchers are available for NASM business travel within the U.S. on a first-come, first-served basis. Travel must be completed by May 29, 2017. To obtain the vouchers, get written approval from your supervisor and contact Jay Anderson in NASM Advancement via email at [email protected]. Jay will furnish travelers with the necessary voucher codes and instructions for booking travel on Southwest Airlines. |
Town Hall Meeting Available
If you missed the July 19 NASM Town Hall meeting with General Dailey, you can watch it on the intranet. |
Suggestion Box (5 new suggestions, rumors, and comments posted in July)
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 40th Birthday Photos
As promised in last month's issue, here is a selection of photos from the July 1 40th birthday festivities.
Photo album
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 Hawk Surveying Storm Damage
Brian Frank captured this shot of the Mall's resident hawk resting on a splintered tree after the severe thunderstorm that swept through Washington, DC the night of July 19. Many trees were broken in half and branches were down all over the Mall when employees came into work on the 20th.
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 X-15 from a Different Angle
Docent
Ellie Nesbitt looked up from the new NMB Welcome Center one day and saw this interesting view of the North American X-15.
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Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.
~Oscar Wilde
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