The California Tech Volume CXiX number 1 Pasadena, California [email protected] sePtember 28, 2015 Convocation welcomes new students to campus CALTECH MEDIA your division, and together to test RELATIONS and sharpen your ideas.” Added Rosenbaum: “You This article was originally need to move beyond simple published online at caltech.edu. coursework and delve deeply into a subject on the boundaries On Sunday, September 20, of discovery—an opportunity Caltech extended a formal welcome provided by performing research to new undergraduate students, both in the summer, through graduate students, parents of SURF [Summer Undergraduate new students, and postdoctoral Research Fellowships], and during scholars at its 2015 Convocation the year. You need to understand at Beckman Auditorium. Joseph other cultures and perspectives. E. Shepherd, vice president for … You need to take advantage of student affairs and the C.L. Kelly theater, music, and art on campus, Johnson Professor of Aeronautics to explore Pasadena’s treasures and Mechanical Engineering, … and to sample the cultural presided over the ceremony, accoutrements of the second during which speakers urged the largest city in the United States: incoming freshman class—now Los Angeles.” 54 percent male and 46 percent Following Rosenbaum’s female students—to embrace welcome, Shepherd introduced a fully Caltech’s intellectually and scientific talk and presentation, culturally rich community by taking “Army of Mice or the Big Lion: advantage of the diverse research Engineering in the 21st Century,” opportunities and extracurricular delivered by Ali Hajimiri, the activities that the Institute and the Thomas G. Myers Professor of surrounding area provide. Electrical Engineering, executive “There are many things you officer for electrical engineering, cannot learn except by exploring and director of Information and experimenting,” President Science and Technology. Hajimiri Thomas F. Rosenbaum, professor of shared some highlights from his physics and the Sonja and William scientific research—which range Davidow Presidential Chair, said from terahertz-wave imaging during his remarks to the several to solar power generation in hundred people in attendance. space to biomedical devices to “In this welcome, I should like to handheld diagnostic devices. He offer a few guideposts along the also imparted some final words of road of your exploration. The first advice to the newest members of guidepost is the necessity to engage the community. with a wide diversity of peers and “I’ve been here for 17 years, and teachers, to venture outside of the it’s an incredible place,” Hajimiri comfort zone of your house and said. “You are in the company of Upperclassmen volunteered to help freshmen move on campus and guide them through the new student orientation. great minds. Be one.” Photos Courtesy of Bob Paz Caltech Robotics Team places in international competition LORI DAJOSE initial placement of scratch by the software team, led Caltech Media Relations the vehicle into the by Kushal Agarwal, a junior in water. computer science. The electrical This article was originally The Caltech team team, led by Torkom Pailevanian, published online at caltech.edu. was divided into three a senior in electrical engineering, The Caltech Robotics Team — groups, responsible designed an inertial measurement composed of 30 Caltech undergrads for the mechanical, unit consisting of gyroscopes and and recent alumni — placed fourth electrical, and accelerometers that allow the robot in the 18th Annual International software systems to orient itself in 3-D space. RoboSub Competition, held July of the robot, which Started in 1998, the Annual 20–26 in San Diego, California. they named Crush. RoboSub Competition is designed The competition, hosted by the A fourth group to introduce young students into Association for Unmanned Vehicle managed the team’s high-tech STEM fields such as Systems International (AUVSI) fund-raising and maritime robotics. This year’s team Foundation and cosponsored by outreach efforts. The from Caltech was led by Justin the U.S. Office of Naval Research, mechanical team, led Koch—who graduated in June with challenges teams of student by Edward Fouad, a his BS in mechanical engineering— engineers to perform realistic senior in mechanical and advised by Joel Burdick, missions with autonomous engineering, was the Richard L. and Dorothy M. underwater vehicles (AUVs) in an responsible for Hayman Professor of Mechanical underwater environment. Thirty- building grippers, a Engineering and Bioengineering. seven teams from across the globe The Caltech Robotics Team’s RoboSub, Crush, placed fourth in the international RoboSub propulsion system, “Last year, as a first-year team, competed in this year’s event. competition. and a pressure hull we placed seventh overall and were The challenge was to build Photo Courtesy of The Caltech Robotics Team to house the robot’s awarded Best New Entry,” says a robotic submarine that could driving through a gate, bumping dropping markers into designated electronics. The Koch. “I’m definitely very excited autonomously navigate an obstacle into colored buoys, shooting bins. The only human involvement autonomous capabilities of the with how we did as only a second- course, completing tasks such as torpedoes through holes, and during the competition was the robot were programmed from year team!” news | Page 2 OPInIOn | Page 3 FEATURe | Page 4 sPORts | Page 5 In thIs caltech Y an- naIlen RevIews new students wel- Men’s wateR POlO nOunces centen- chvRches’ new Re- cOMed tO caltech scORes vIctORIes Issue nIal celebRatIOn lease news 2 sePtember 28, 2015 the calIFORnIa tech Caltech Y Column News briefs from around the globe CALTECH Y 2. Caltech Y Centennial Raffle A brief list of events from the past week, compiled by the editors Raffle drawing to be held Monday, The Caltech Y Column serves to inform October 12, 2015 students of upcoming events and volunteer 5 tickets for $20, 1 ticket for $5 Nigerian forces raid two Boko Haram camps opportunities. The list is compiled by Neera Proceeds to benefit the student programs Shah from information given by the Caltech and activities of the Caltech Y. Enter now for 241 women and children in Boko Haram camps were freed [CNN] Y and its student leaders. a chance to win a GoPro Hero 4 or an Apple Founded by students in 1916, the Y was Watch. Purchase your tickets today! Stop by organized to provide extracurricular activities the Y or the cash registers at Chandler. China establishes fund for developing countries planned and implemented by students as an Winners need not be present. Items can $2 billion in investment fund thought to reach $12 billion over 15 years opportunity to learn leadership skills and be shipped at winner s expense. discover themselves. The mission of today’s Y [BBC] remains the same—to provide opportunities 3. Rise Program that will prepare students to become The Rise Program is an afterschool math engaged, responsible citizens of the world. and science tutoring program for public Glass-bottomed bridge built in China The Y seeks to broaden students’ worldviews, school students in grades 8-12. The program 1,250-foot long bridge rests 600 feet above canyon floor [TIME] raise social, ethical, and cultural awareness is in its eighth year and helps students who through teamwork, community engagement, are struggling in math or science (getting activism, and leadership. More information a C or below). Ttutoring takes place at Thousands march to mark anniversary of disappearance about the Caltech Y and its programs can be Caltech Monday-Thursday, 4pm-6pm. The found at https://caltechy.org. The office is program is designed to help students gain 43 students went missing one year ago in Mexico [BBC] located at 505 S. Wilson Avenue. greater competency in math foundations, Ongoing and past programs hosted by the improve skills in math and science and Y: prepare students for college-level math and Europe flooded by refugees Alternative Spring Break: Costa Rica, science. Tutors work with 1-2 students and 8,000 refugees flee to Europe each day, mainly from Syria and other New York, Yosemite when possible work with the same student(s) Make-A-Difference Day: LA County throughout the year. conflict zones in the Middle East and Africa [BBC] Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Children’s Tutors should be able to commit to at least Hospital Los Angeles, Lifeline for Pets 2 terms per year and 1-2 days per week. The Explore LA: Lakers game, Next to Normal schedule is based on the tutor’s availability. Switzerland bans sale of VW diesel-engine models musical, Norton Simon Museum trip Tutoring sessions are 2 hours. If you have 180,000 unsold/unregistered cars could be affected by the ban, which any questions, contact Liz Jackman at Upcoming Events [email protected] or by phone at 626- came after VW admitted to cheating on U.S. emissions tests [BBC] 395-6163. 1. Caltech Y’s Centennial Kick-Off Celebration & PHD Movie 2 Screening Other Announcements - Beyond the Muslim pilgrims killed, injured at annual hajj Tuesday, October 6th | Dinner and Caltech Y 769 people were killed at the hajj in Saudi Arabia [TIME] Concert 5:00 to 7:00pm PHD Movie 2 Screening at Beckman CCI Solar Science Clubs Auditorium | Doors open at 7:00 Volunteers Needed The Caltech Y invites you to join us for the CCI Solar has 2 science clubs working Caltech Y s Centennial Kick-Off Celebration with the Pasadena community and we need EARNEST C. with a Hollywood-inspired dinner followed volunteers! Once club meets every other Caltechlive! by an exclusive red-carpet campus premiere Wed from 9-11am. We work with educators WATSON of the PHD Movie 2 followed by a Q&A with from Kidspace and teach 2-9th graders LECTURE SERIES writer Jorge Cham, director Iram Parveen at the 5 Acres school fun science lessons.