Prototypes, Snowboards and Complex Numbers

During day two and three of the intensive programme we had a variety of lectures and project work.


Tuesday started of with rethinking our product design, after which a sensor lecture provided by Mr. van Westen started. During this lecture we covered the basics of sensors and their problems. The day ended with a nice meal provided in a local restaurant, during this meal we had the possibility to get to know each other a little better.



Wednesday brought a new teacher in during the design classes, this teacher was specialized in prototyping, with his help we designed and modelled a 3d model out of foam. After this modelling session we were all given a microprocessor and started with programming this microprocessor which is done in the programming language c++.


We were also offered a chance visit a local ski center for some R&R. We went to a ski piste located around 10km from the town of Riihimaki, the HIT 3 put on their snowboard boots and went for a nice ride down the slope. Around 8 the piste closed and we returned back to the hotel.



Friday we will travel to a cottage located in EVO, we will try to keep you updated about our weekend!

Yarouslaf, Henrik & René

Microprosessors, International & Brainstorming

Hyvää päivän

or

Good day from Suomi (Finland),

after the first and successful day of the intensive programme in Riihimaki! We had a very interesting day including an introduction into brainstorming and an introduction to microprocessors.

The day started off with a very nice breakfast in the Hotel, after a 15 minute walk we arrived at the HAMK university of applied sciences. Mr. Karppinen introduced the programme and all Universities presented themselves.

After this we started with the introduction to brainstorming, assisted by two teachers, we had to come up with at least 100 ideas in one hour. After which each student would select the most promising and appealing ideas to him/herself. After this groups of 3 to 4 persons were found in order to come up with an most wanted idea list. More on this list will follow tomorrow since we will continue with this at a later stage in the programme.

To finish the day we would solder the microprocessor and design the basic layout of the electrical circuit that would support the microprocessor.

Thus a very interesting day in which most students had the opportunity the get to know each other!

We will keep you informed about further developments during this intensive programme!

Henrik, Yarouslaf & René

Ps. Due to the unreliable and unstable internet conncetion at the moment we are not able to upload any picuters from our trip thus far!

Bucharest 25th of February 2011,

And yet again HIT made it to the newspaper! This time it is a Romanian newspaper! The article combines HIT with the Robotics Club of Galati. We had an amazing audience consisted of 11th grade students interested in robotics and engineering. Within this audience there were a lot of female students interested in our education. The Segway robot was in the Spotlight of the event and succeeded by drawing everyone's attention. A few words about Claudiu's background as the founder of the Robotics club Galati and his sports career are also provided in the article. The only female member of the robotics club Edith Stanca is a great motivation to female students because by working for the robotics club more female students showed interest into technical studies and robotics.

The Romanian article can be found here:

http://www.viata-libera.ro/articol-Imblanzitorii_de_roboti_2.html

Botanical gardens, Robots and Garden Furniture

Galati, 24th of February 2011,

On the final day of the presentations it was time for us to join in on an event that was organized by the local robotics club in Galati. This group of seven students works in their free time on designing and programming robots that can perform certain tasks.

The event was planned to take place in the botanical gardens from Galati a beautiful and impressive location. First we would start with a presentation about HIT after which the students from the robotics club would present their robots in combination with a demonstration.

As soon as the presentation started it became clear that there was no space left in the presentation room for the students. In order to solve this problem a bunch of garden chairs was brought into the room in order to provide all the interested students with a seat.

After our presentation the robotics club started their presentation, the club designed different robots that are able to scan a planet in order to test for different aspects. For example pH

levels, magnetic materials and light. This with colonization in mind because our planet will become unlivable at a certain point. The robotics club did a great job with their presentation which was both in English and Romanian. The robots looked very promising and we are very impressed with their programming capabilities. We would like to thank both the robotics club and all the involved professors!

Tomorrow is the last day of the Romanian trip and we have something very special planned at the end of this day! So stay tuned ;)

Colegiul National Vasile Alecsandri, Protocipitoricescovici and the HIT Challenge

Galati, 23rd of February 2011

After a full day of preparations and a lot of snow it was finally time for the world famous HIT Society Challenge, although this time the challenge would be renamed to HIT Challenge, it is still based on the very successful HIT Society Zero Propulsion Challenge that was held in the summer of 2010 at HIT (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=230007&id=115549821437)

A group of students helped us to organize the event and provided us with a lot of pictures and video's after the event. They also designed a poster that promoted the event in the high school and stimulated other students to join. Once more we would like to thank this group of highly motivated and organized students for their help during the challenge.

However the day started off with an presentation about the HIT, Claudiu would present the HIT and answer any questions that the students had. Due to the big success on the previous presentations that where given on previous high schools we decided that it was best to keep the presentation in Romanian again.

A total of 16 students signed up for the challenge which left us with a total of 71 participants. During the event the distance traveled was measured, the vehicle which traveled the furthest distance won. During every round there was a knockout competition meaning that half of the total participants of every round would be eliminated.

After the first round we would introduce a new obstacle that was added to the track, the participants had to pass this obstacle in order to get a valid distance score. The obstacles included a wall of sponges, a mountain of Marshmallows and a puddle of honey.

Most dangerous wall of sponges ever created

Every team that participated in the event received a marvelous price and certificate that proofs that they participated in the challenge. However there can only be one winner....

Vama took the first prize but was closely followed by Chcuckers!

Wining team Vama with their prices

We would like to not only thank all the students that participated in this successful event but also the preparation team again! You all did a tremendous job! We are also very thankfull to the teachers that suported this event and ofcourse the prinicpal of the school that facilitated this entire event.

For more pictures of the Hit Challenge please check: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=339213&id=115549821437

Planes, Trains and Sensor Presentations

Bucharest/Galati, Monday 21st of February 2011,

After a nice flight and an even nicer rest we went to see two different high schools that are located in Bucharest, the first school was called: Edmont Nicolau and the second school: Grigore Moisil on both schools we found very enthusiastic students that showed a lot of interest in HIT. Claudiu did a great job by presenting in Romanian and a lot of questions were asked during and after the presentation, questions like: What are the living costs in the Netherlands, what type of jobs can I expect when I finish my education at HIT and am I allowed to work while studying in the Netherlands.

After our presentations were done we had to rush back to the hotel, collect our luggage and drive of to the train station of Bucharest. From here we took the train to Galati, this train trip took around 3 hours and 30 minutes, upon arrival Claudiu's mother was waiting for us and gave us a warm welcome to Galati.

By René & Claudiu

Welcome

This blog will be used to inform you about all the different travel experiences that are related to the Hanze Institute of Technology.