Lynn Hui's Stem Skills Blog

How to Deal With Invasives Lynn Hui      I hate kudzu.      Kudzu is an invasive vine that grows at lightning speed, a rabid relative of Jack’s colossal beanstalk. With a growth rate of one foot per day, it sprints along the ground and smothers everything in its path. As a Tennessean, I am familiar with the grotesque, green-carpeted spaces common in the South.      Kudzu is the quintessential invasive species, organisms defined by the National Invasive Species Information Center as      “1) non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and,      2) whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm      to human health.” 1      I have a grudge against these creeping, intruding, overwhelming creatures. Birdwatching has been a cherished hobby for much of my life, and my awareness of invasive species may stem from the fact that ...

Data visualization is an important part of programming, as it translates mind-numbing amounts of data into a form easily understood by humans. There are 2 main steps in the proccess of data visualization: data proccessing and generating the graphics. Data must be imported, removed from the organizational structure that contained it (like a csv file), and fed into algorithms that generate graphisc Data proccessing is often accomplished by packages such as pandas, and graphics are generated by packages like tkinter. Part 1:  Making planets red: change the "fill" argument in the create_oval method to "red" Making planets larger: change first 4 arguments in create_oval to x-10, y-10, x+10, y+1 Visualization 2: How the mapping program works: The program prints the data in the visitplace.csv file. The folium package then prepares a map, which is saved in map_obj. The for loop adds each set of coordinates and name to the map using the folium package.       Visualizatio...

 how to tell source of neutrino What is a neutrino event do any other researchers besides IceCube work at south pole?

 Questions about machine learning: Are there any real advances in machine learning, besides improvements in computing and data collection? how to improve a machine learning program backpropagation and math involved

 To measure the consciousness of an AI bot, I need a clearer definition of consciousness. Are plants and animals conscious? They do respond to stimuli, but definetly inanimate materials such as shape-memory alloys do so as well. With rapid advances in technology and computing power, AI capabilities seem limitless. There may be no difference between mechanical and biological circuitry, and assuming that consciousness stems completely from the nervous system, the problem of consciousness seems intractable.  However, a possible definition of consciousness could include such ill-defined requirements as: emotional awareness will to survive free will differentiating between oneself and others differentiating between self-made and external stimuli Tests include: ability to turn itself off and on ability to decieve a human disobedience No questions would be sufficient unless they test the bot's ability to lie. Procedures used to test childrens' intelligence may work well.

Human Intelligence     ·        ~ 100 word summary of articles in YOUR words Although AI algorithms are constructed to be impartial, biased data produces skewed responses. Much of the time, this bias is introduced accidently by programmers who do not recognize discriminatory data. Computer algorithms are often based on categorization, or identifying and sorting inputs into specific groups. Groups that are underrepresented in the inputted data lead to algorithms that are biased against these groups, perpetuating discrimination. For instance, facial recognition software performs most efficiently with white male faces, indicating that the inputted data was biased. As AI increasingly projects its influence over the world, this understanding of its biases is crucial to ending discrimination.     Artificial Intelligence (Round 1)   ...

 This lecture was inspiring: - Mr. Mezzacappa showed real enthusiasm for his work, the way a real scientist should. - complicated concept explained in simple terms - thought experiments very interesting, new way to think - clarified concepts mentioned in A Brief History of Time - question asked: Is the speed of light assumed or experimently determined to be constant? Experimentally determined, has to do with gravitational waves? - groundbreaking new tech: LIGO, gravitational waves

 Places visited: - nuclear reactor: very interesting, high security, deep pool, impressively sophisticated technology, uses of complicated machines and obscure elements clarified - supercomputers: awe inspiring, Frontier + Summit, American importance, quickly retired (rapidly advancing technology), unimaginable computing power, global cooperation - materials science/industrial manufacturing: not very interesting, like MADE, many complicated machines, mostly 3d-printing and machining

 Intersectionality describes the effects of dramatic shifts in the world, such as climate change. The effects of climate change vary based on many factors of a person's identity, including geographic location, gender, and class.  Similarily, CAFOs produce different effects on individuals with different characteristics, such as  socieoeconomic class: CAFOs hire low wage workers and produce meat that is consumed by low income communities. The working conditions of CAFOs greatly affect the well-being of these workers, although the wages provide them with some degree of financial stability. geographic location: CAFOs produce significant amounts of waste that pollute the surrounding communities. Geograhpic location, however, is linked to socieconomic class, as the poorest communities often experience the compounded of effects of living near CAFOs, including pollution exposure and low wages.  race: The workers near CAFOs are often minorities, livelihood: Industrial farming...

AI vs deep learning vs machine learning: deep learning --> machine learning --> AI I learned that AI can take many forms, including a simple machine learning or probability based algorithm like the one used in the Titanic Kaggle contest. Philosophically, the Titantic presents a brutal revelation of society's values. Women and children were favored over men when volunteers were loading lifeboats, perhaps due to simple Darwinian logic (most possibility for the future) or the vestiges of knightly chivalry. However, the preference of young over old is especially interesting. In Western cultures, young people are typically prioritized over the elderly, while filial piety is deeply ingrained in Eastern cultures. The Titanic Kaggle competition is very interesting and frustrating at the same time! In fact, I definitely need to review basic probability: it's the methods and calculations instead of the coding and syntax that are challenging.  The basic logic behind my code was to c...

 Today, I completed some assignments in the intermediate level: guess the number and parking algorithm. Both refreshed my coding skills! Completing the Guess the Number assignment was relatively simple. I used the template, setting conditions for the 3 branches of the if statement. I don't completely understand the __name__== "__main__" part, although I know that it is the main class of the program (similar to java). I tried the Panda assignment, but the content surpassed my level of programming, so I worked on the parking algorithm.  Following the directions on the assignment, I created a get_input function that saved price inputs directly into variables a, b, and c, which were added to a list named prices. The arrival and departure times for trucks were appended to a list and then separated by truck into tuples. To ensure for a cleaner transfer between functions, variables t1, t2, t3, and prices were stored in a list, named gi_return, which was returned by the function....

Today, I watched some tutorial videos on 3-D printing, created a Tinkercad account, and designed a toy bird.  3-D printing basics: Printers create the 3D shape by arranging melted plastic in layers.  Overhangs: must be at < 45 degrees angle Bridges: < 10 mm thickness: > 2x nozzle width ORIENTATION is important: largest contact point with base as possible, few overhangs/long bridges supports used to support overhangs/bridges Starting to CAD: figuring things out rotating object/changing perspective: drag box in the corner At first, I tried several ideas and settled on a design featuring a smily face. Then, after some more ideas, I used the semi-cylinder shape to create a bird toy that could rock back and forth. I considered changing the orientation of the bird so that it would lay on its side, minimizing the number of overhangs, but I was told that Brandon would adjust the orientation as needed. I deleted the smily face design, enlarged the bird design, and submitted th...

In STEM Skills today, we practiced implementing the engineering design process by designing and building a vehicle for carrying an object. This exercise was intended to cultivate familiarity with the 8-step process, which we will follow when designing a 3D printed object. Engineering design process: Design problem: design a mode of transportation to move something across a table We misinterpreted the problem by assuming that the object would be chosen by the teachers, so we focused on designing a car that could carry items of any size. Research problem: How to use K-nex: spiky pieces are joints, bars are connectors, put rubber tire around circular piece Limiting factors: time, materials, # of wheels Specifications: use only materials in kit, must carry object Imagine: Car-like: 4 wheels, central bar, possibly 2 side bars to provide strength for the car and a carrying mechanism for the object Carrying object: rubber band drag...

  Natural Areas Observation Report: Plants observed: Hostas: positive association, there are two in my garden back home Oak trees: positive association, trees provide oxygen and store CO2, there are two oak trees in my yard Blackberries: positive association, tasty food Animals observed: Song Sparrows observed singing from perches Robins foraging on ground and singing from perches. These robins were very accustomed to the presence of humans. Wren skulking in undergrowth and lower shrubs Rabbit hopping into bush Large flies (negative association) on hosta leaves: flies are a reminder of uncleanliness small iridescent flies (positive association) on hosta leaves: pretty appearance Carpenter bees and other bees on flowers, pollen sacks noted. Non-human artifacts: Tree swallow nests: swallows observed visiting a martin house, calls of nestlings heard from within house mason bee nests: a bee house had a few reeds plugged with mud, evidence of previous or current bee nests cliff swallow?...

Physics is a true science: data collected from observations and experiments support conclusions about the natural world discoveries were inconsistent with the predictions of classical physics and supported Einstein's theory of relativity, demonstrating that physics theories can be challenged based on repeatable results: scientists from around the world publish findings and repeat experiments, confirming their peers' findings Astrology is a pseudoscience: no reliable data collected to support conclusions predictions are often vague and difficult to disprove no experiments repeated, no reliable results Hard case: Moxibustion (health treatment using the combustion of mugwort leaves, often used with acupuncture) Pseudoscience? Moxibustion was not discovered through the scientific process, but it has been used for over 2500 years. Some studies show that it may help delivering babies whose feet face outward. However, there are few reliable studies on the effectiveness of this applic...

Science is often defined vaguely, though we seem to know instinctively whether a discipline is a science or not.  Philosopher Popper defined science as "an ever-increasing accumulation of certain knowledge about the world, firmly grounded in sense experience and logic". Specifically, science and scientific theories must have exceptions be able to be refuted be based on repeatable results Note: history is not a science because narratives take the place of "certain knowledge" in the definition of science Pseudosciences are systems of thought that do not fulfill the criteria of true sciences while appearing to be scientific. Physics is a true science: - "knowledge about the world": data collected from observations and experiments support conclusions about the natural world - have exceptions/be able to be refuted: discoveries were inconsistent with the predictions of classical physics and supported Einstein's theory of relativity - based on repeatable resu...

     The automated car should be programmed to prioritize the safety of its passengers, prompting it to turn either to the left or right (randomized). Assuming that the programmer is employed by the car company, he or she has a responsibility to ensure the safety of its customers. However, to avoid discrimination against the drivers and passengers of smaller vehicles, such as the motorcycle, the car will simply swerve either to the left or right, taking evasive action, instead of turning towards the motorcycle on account of its unprotectedness, which would be deemed an aggressive action. As evasion is morally justified, this solution fulfills the programmer's obligation to protect the passenger of the automated car while treating the SUV and motorcycle equally.     Some might argue that by incorporating  randomization, the program proposed in this solution would resemble the instantaneous decision-making process of humans and fail to lessen the ri...

Today's lesson clarified the nature of STEM Skills and STEM in Society: an exploration of science itself.  The instructors introduced themselves and the course. STEM Skills: teaches the "hard skills" of STEM, including data visualization and programming STEM in Society: addresses ethical issues of technology using reasoning techniques employed in philosophic debate. This course is novel, thought provoking, and different from most science courses that I have taken. Each student introduced themselves and one place where they would like to go. Activity in STEM in Society: car dilemma: How should a programmer program a car to act when the car is behind a truck that is dropping objects to the left of a motorcyclist to the right of a non-self-driving SUV Reflection: Logical reasoning should be applied to ethical dilemmas. The goal of a technology should be reflected in its design. For example, programmers with different goals in the car dilemma would write different code. About...