FAQ
Does it matter what year or major I am?
Do you hire work-study students?
May I earn credit for my work?
Who manages your many projects?
I am concerned that I don't yet have the skills to help on a project. What can I do?
Will we work with local business and industry?
Whom should I contact if I have questions? And if I represent a company or government agency?
Does it matter what year or major I am?
No. Students may come from any engineering or technology program at any of the colleges and universities in the Connecticut College of Technology and from any year. Many of our students become involved early in their first year and see their responsibilities increase as their education progresses.
Students may be funded by our grants and contracts, apply for their own Space Grant fellowships, use work-study funds, or volunteer. Whether it is paid or not, the work is certainly something you can list on your résumé.
Do you hire work-study students?
Absolutely. We are looking for work-study students on many projects. If your college or university has offered you work-study, speak with the executive director or program director of the Center for details.
May I earn credit for my work?
Yes. Some students earn senior project or graduate credit for their work on these projects. And some of the projects may qualify for independent study or as other courses. Check with your academic advisor for more information.
Who manages your many projects?
We work closely with the Connecticut College of Technology and their students. John Birch, CPBA, CPVA, CAIA, of The Birch Group, LLC, has worked with us for many years on programs that include students from high school through college. He builds teams, organizes the projects, and solves countless team issues.
Many of our programs are funded by the National Science Foundation and the NASA Johnson Space Center. Other sponsors include Hamilton Sundstrand, a division of the United Technologies Corporation, the United States Coast Guard, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, and Kaman Aerospace.
Review the projects list on this Web site. Speak with the students and faculty involved and check with Dr. Adrezin or Dr. Filburn of the Center for Life Support and Sustainable Living. You can also ask Dr. Wosczyna-Birch of the College of Technology, or John Birch at The Birch Group, LLC.
I am concerned that I don't yet have the skills to help on a project. What can I do?
Consider joining a project with more experienced students. You can assist them in such activities as research, testing, and fabrication. See the individual project pages for lists of the participants.
No. We believe that students at all academic levels have valuable skills and deserve the opportunity to earn real-world experience and grow. A strong work ethic with the ability to fulfill commitments is important. However, you are in school to earn a degree, so your coursework must come first.
Will we work with local business and industry?
Yes. Many of the projects are sponsored by local business and industry, and students have the opportunity to visit some of the sponsors. For example, we frequently visit Hamilton Sundstrand with students to attend meetings-and several students have tried on their spacesuit. Other sponsors, which include the National Science Foundation and NASA, the United States Coast Guard, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, and Kaman Aerospace. Engineers with those companies consult closely with students to advise them on their work.
Whom should I contact if I have questions? And if I represent a company or government agency?
Visit our contact page.
The Center
for Life Support and Sustainable Living is funded in part through a grant from the
National Science Foundation Advanced Technology Education program. Copyright
2008. All rights reserved.