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Show Monday, April 12, 2010 Page 5 AggieLif• Utah State University • Logan, Utah • www.aggietownsquare.com Out ofthis world USU's project to go to NASA this summer By KADE DELIS staff writer USU's GAS Team is putting forward a new project aimed to be launched into space by NASA that will lead to new understanding of the process of nucleate boiling in microgravity. The USU GAS team (the get away special team), according to its Web site, is a group of mostly undergraduate students who get involved in space research any way they can and work on the projects mainly on a volunteer basis and receive little or no voluntary aid. There are more than 11 student members working on the project called FUNBOE (Follow Up Nucleate Boiling Onboard Experiment), aimed to further study the effects of boiling in space. Of those 11, nine undergraduates will have the opportunity to work in-field with NASA and some will be launched into space with FUNBOE. Justin Koeln, mechanical engineering major and the team's technical lead, said this research presents new insight to how bubbling occurs, such as when it gets into space. This June, he said, nine members of the team will go to Houston to test their product. The project is said to cost up to $35,000, with funding from sponsors, such as space companies and the USU'S GAS TEAM is working on a project to study the effects of boiling in space using a boiling apparatus. Since the boiling effect on earth relies so much on gravity, very little is known about boiling water in microgravity. STEVE SELLERS photo I See FUNBOE, page 7 Mentor program helps athletes balance busy life By APRIL ASHLAND staff writer Most division one schools have programs close to or with the same goals as USU's athletic mentors program, created by the athletic department, said Lynaye Stone, the athletic department's learning specialist. Stone said she comes up with the program for each semester and puts together a packet of information and sources for the mentors. She said the goal of the program is for mentors to teach study skills. There's a difference between tutors and mentors, Stone said. Tutors help learn an individual subject. Mentors teach study skills, such as how to organize. "The purpose is to teach them skills so they get out of the program," Stone said. "You can earn your way back in, but really, we want to get them out." The mentors meet with the athletes a few times a week, to make sure they are getting everything done. The mentors also teach athletes about various study techniques and do some sort of activity with them. Stone said there are just more than 40 athletes in the program this semester, with 25 or so mentors. Brian Evans, associate athletic director, said he initiated the movement to create the program and picked up the idea at conferences. He said a couple of other schools started the concept, and he modeled the program after Middle Tennessee State, but that USU's program has become great on its own. "The program has grown since its conception. I think it's come to be the program other schools should model after," Evans said. "Th Regis ter 3 Stone said athletes can be put into the program for various reasons. It can be as simple as grades, needing extra help, being a first-generation college student or having trouble balancing athletics and school. There are skeptics who believe the program gives athletes special attention, Stone said, but the program is just like what a regular student could find at the academic resource center. "Athletics are like a full-time job. These students are getting up at 5 a.m. and working out, going to class, then spending all afternoon and evening practicing. They then have to squeeze in homework for a few hours each night. It's not easy," Stone said. Jason Thomas, academic coordinator, said the program that the athletic department originally ran required a certain number of study hours for student athletes. He said the program was changed in 2007 to be an objectives-based program, rather than just requiring study hours. Some students could have out their study materials and not get much done. "There's a difference between busyness and productivity," Thomas said. With an objectives-based program, he said, the athletes can take as much time as needed to finish the objectives for the week. Sometimes it could take eight hours, sometimes two. "There is more structure this way," he said. In 2008 the program changed, again, switching to more of an academics with objectives standpoint, Thomas said. This is when student mentors were introduced to the program, in othing beats a pair of flip-flops at the pool or beach. They are bright and cheery, easy to put on, wash off and walk in. Unfortunately, the grand state of Utah has had a shortage of beaches for a while now, and nobody (except maybe a lifeguard) is surrounded by pools all day ... so why do people insist on wearing these vinyl/foam "shoes" we so cleverly call "flip-flops" like they are going out of style? Sure, flip-flops are practical and inexpensive. You can usually get a pair of those vinyl beauties for fewer than $5, and they are so easy to slip on and off you can practically do so in the dark (although I wouldn't recommend it). However, with so many shoe options out there, it seems almost criminal to walk around wearing neon foam as footwear ... is there hope for breaking the flip-flop habit? Yes. There are plenty of affordable summer-friendly footwear options to choose from. Finding a comfortable sandal that also looks good is only half the battle, pairing them with the right clothing is equally important. Here are some tips on how to wear this season's fashionable alternatives to the almighty flip-flop. Wedges - Add height and are much easier to walk in than stilettos. They add definition and shape to legs and ankles, making them appear thinner and more toned. Because wedges are a chunkier shoe you want to wear them with flowing fabrics, wide leg pants (such as flares or navy inspired slacks) or short skirts. Ballet flats - Comfortable and dainty. Flats are available in many prints and colors and look great with just about anything. However, because they don't add any length to your legs, you want to avoid wearing them with long skirts or capris, as it will make your legs look shorter. Gladiator sandals - These sandals are great in theory, I See SHOES, page 7 I See ATHLETES, page 7 c7s,"L. Breaking the flip-flop habit „trim taken” Balancing Work Work & Family IVotote! , PrCl e tkai FCHD 1010 Meets BSS Gen. Ed. requirements .41r ren A ng Ci • Relationship Readiness • Marriage & Family Relations • Family Finance • Parenting /11 0Ps"Wl an., traps Learn 9 /in the re/ P ., °rte ° 's hi skills p " I Great course for any major |