Vocal Lessons

1. My STEP project was a creative and artistic endeavor where I was taking vocal lessons. I did virtual lessons once a week and practiced the other days of the week by myself. 

2. Something I wasn’t expecting was how challenging it was to learn how to sing. I had no prior experience, but I thought I would pick up quickly (I was definitely wrong). I was prepared to be able to sing well by the end of this, but that was just not the case. I can sometimes be an impatient person. I like to see results quickly and when things take a while I end up getting frustrated. This experience has forced me to really put in the time and effort in order to learn this new skill.

My singing ability has definitely improved since beginning vocal lessons, but I have a lot to learn in order to be a good singer. I have also learned that my confidence needs to improve in order to really improve my voice. Even though my vocal lessons are over, I am still practicing weekly to maintain my abilities and to hopefully improve. Singing is definitely a skill that takes many hours and days and months to get better. I want to continue working on it to improve and better my technique, voice, and confidence.

3. My relationship with my vocal instructor was extremely important in bettering my confidence. In our first lesson, I was nervous and anxious over my voice and I constantly felt like I was embarrassing myself. Chris was super patient and reassuring that I could do it just with the proper practice and time. I am thankful for her experience in voice. She has been a performer, a music teacher, vocal instructor, member of multiple choirs, and band member. All of this aided me in my confidence that I would be able to improve. 

One event that proved to me just how challenging vocal lessons would be was when I was practicing my scales. I would practice up five notes then down the same five, which I thought was going to be an easy task (it was not). I struggled to stay on pitch, to not slide from note to note, to not be sharp or flat, to not skip notes, and every other mistake you could possibly make. I practiced with Chris and I practiced everyday by myself. I kept doing this until one day I was able to get at one scale on pitch and hitting the correct notes. This lead to me being able to practice scales more or less on pitch when I practiced. Of course, I would slip up here and there but I was able to hit more notes than I previously thought.

This experience helped my confidence in singing immensely. Although the feat I achieved was fairly small, I felt super accomplished when I was able to do something that I struggled on for so long. This confidence carried me into wanting to practice more elements of singing and vocal technique. I have since practiced several songs. Although I do not think I will have the confidence to perform or complete an entire song yet, I know with more practice and effort into this skill I know I can achieve a lot. 

4. This transformation is significant to my life for several reasons. This change is not one I was expecting. The transformation in my confidence levels was not just for singing, I know it has improved my confidence in other areas of my life. This experience showed me that I can have no prior knowledge of something and I can work my way to be able to achieve a goal.

I plan to apply to graduate schools for occupational therapy programs this fall. With applying, I will need the confidence to perform well in interviews. Then when I am in my occupational therapy program, I will need to confidence in order to do well in my classes and to pass my certification exam. Last, in my future career, I need to be confident in my ability to help my patients. I will be helping people get back to their activities of daily living, but I need to be confident that I can aid these people. Thanks to my experience with this project, I can feel more confident in my ability to do something I have never accomplished before.

A Tale of Two Hobbies: Building a PC and Creating Cooking Videos

I’m Kevin Dong, a current 4th year Computer Science and Engineering Student, and my STEP project was a two parter, consisting of a technical build, as well as a creative endeavor.  I first built a PC following second semester second year, and used the computer to create and publish cooking videos through the next year, however not without complications.

The purpose of the PC wasn’t to just edit videos, but to also provide me with a powerful machine to use when programming and working on class materials or other projects. The fulfilment of the project also gave me an opportunity to learn more about computers and computer hardware since coming into the STEP fellowship I had very little knowledge on what I would be working with.

The Build:

Starting from basic Google searches on what made a computer work, I created an initial build on pcpartpicker.com, an excellent resource when planning a computer build. It provides checks to make sure the components you add to your build list are compatible both physically and software wise. Learning from tech YouTube channels and other guides, I picked the most appropriate parts while considering budget, and came up with the following build list:

CPU: Intel i7-8700k OC @4.6ghz

GPU: Gigabyte Nvidia RTX 2070

RAM: Corsair Vengeance DDR4 32 GB 3200hz

And other parts as mentioned in the proposal, etc. While the other parts could be swapped out with marginal differences, i.e. different cooler for different temperatures or different hard drives or cases, these parts are what give the PC its purpose. I chose the CPU as it was the most budget friendly for performance, important for rendering videos, and it allows for CPU tweaking, as I planned to learn how to overclock as well.

I chose the GPU for various reasons. As the then most-modern line in Nvidia graphics cards, the RTX 2000 series were optimal for future longevity. In retrospective however, it may have been more beneficial to have waited for the next time of cards which were cheaper and more efficient. Additionally, more on this later, but this specific card also caused to me to delay my project due to performance issues. The card also had plenty of CUDA cores for coding computation and future machine learning, and the impressive 8 gb of video memory also helped with loading and displaying video while editing.

Along with the 32 gb of RAM, I also elected for a 1TB SSD for booting up my machine and navigating the computer faster, as well as making virtual environments more useful my providing ample resources. For video editing and general use, this meant less delay with performing more menial tasks, as well as increased capacity for switching between tasks more often. I also chose a 4TB hard drive for storage.

Motherboard before CPU

Motherboard with cpu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What went well:

In retrospect, the final build went smoothly, when it eventually happened.

When I received all the components ordered, I had believed I had prepared sufficiently for the build. Get motherboard, install CPU, install RAM, install GPU, install motherboard to case, etc. The process, while initially daunting, was actually fairly self-explanatory. The concept of opening a CPU, placing it within a bracket for mounting onto a circuit board, then applying paste before attaching a giant aluminum radiator was alien but not at all complicated. Squeezing some components into their sockets was a bit scary given the price of the parts, but all the pieces fit. I even found it fun to connect all the cables and mount the components, learning about electrical safety and the right way to discharge electronics. The final build ended up taking only 20 minutes, and by an hour I had installed my operating system, and begun to configure my PC’s software. That being said, this was the final build. The initial build did not go so well.

Motherboard with a cooler and RAM

What didn’t:

Long story short, one of the rarer problems users run into is receiving damaged parts. While it is more common for bad parts to break down faster, components can arrive already in a state that already makes it unbootable.  My motherboard came unknowingly damaged, and seeing as how problems don’t show up until after you get a PC built, I spent quite some time trying to figure out which component was causing the problem, or if it was user error. This involved the purchase of a “mobo speaker”, a little speaker that plugs into the motherboard and beeps out error codes. Since my computer was turning on but not doing much else, I installed said speaker after a week of troubleshooting and waiting for shipping, and finally identified the motherboard as the source of the problem after putting two and two together with the error code identifying a power issue preventing the CPU from starting. After another week after shipping out the broken motherboard and getting a “new” one, I was finally able to complete the final build.

PC after first booting

Ready for setup!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Build Recommendations:

Despite problems that were ultimately out of my control, the build process went as well as it could, and I build a high-end PC that was able to perform tasks that it was meant to do. While I did run into another issue where I had a nonfunctional GPU for half a year, the issue was with the manufacturing of GPU rather than something that could happen to the average PC user. That being said, tips for PC building:

Get a motherboard speaker before you build,

Wear gloves.

The build really did go smoothly baring the initial issues, and watching building videos from any source gives an idea of what things should look like. Having a mobo speaker on hand lets you troubleshoot ASAP, and wearing gloves prevents you from getting your hands cut up while working with radiators in tight spaces. Building a PC has a fairly low barrier for entry, and I was certainly lucky enough to be able to build my first PC with little worry for budget and plenty of resources like pcpartpicker to use.

The Project

Following the build, I spent the last month of summer before school started to prepare my cooking videos. Writing the scripts, learning the video editing software, testing camera footage, and editing down recipe lists was the logistical work that I was able to accomplish before I moved in as a first year off campus student. Seeing as the focus of the cooking videos was for meals for college students, I wanted my videos to take place in the kitchen of a college student. So, after moving in and recording my first cooking video, I was ready to start creating.

I designed custom logos and artwork for my videos with the Adobe suite the third week of August, and immediately my graphics card died overnight. A quick google search revealed that for RTX 20XX buyers, this apparently was less rare of an issue, and that A new line of cards, the RTX 2000 Supers would not have this issue. Seeing as I had already reached the budget on my fellowship, I opted to RMA my card, beginning a 6-month process of shipping out a broken card, receiving a refurbished card up to a month later, only for the same card to be shipped back again, after testing caused it to fail.

Eventually, about a month before COVID-19 became a global pandemic, I received my final GPU. After filming my videos, I was finally able to start editing, until Spring Break was extended and my computer was left in my apartment in Columbus.

I am proud to stay that now, the first of my videos have been uploaded, with many more on the way.

One of many recipes that I’ve recorded

another one

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Project Thoughts

Especially with the onset of the coronavirus, this project has been very transformative. While the build opened me up to new knowledge and technical expertise, my goals and tasks for the project as well as its obstacles have made me a more patient and flexible person, able to deal with things as they come and find alternatives. This project has been a long-term commitment, and sticking to it for this long has only made me think of more ideas for it. While I was not able to adhere to my original plan, I adapted to the circumstances and plan to continue my videos into the future.

This applies professionally and academically as well, in the literal sense that I’ll be using my project build more often now that everything is virtual, but also in the sense that we now live in times where it pays to be that much more open to change and to be more adaptable.

The project has also definitely made me more open to this sort of creative endeavor in the future, especially for hobby that is useful and universally appreciated like cooking. As I make more videos, I ‘m already of thinking of how to make improvements as I go, and am very excited to see what else I can do.

STEP- Cooking with Maia (Cookbook)

For my STEP project, I wanted to pursue an artistic endeavor alongside my grandmother, Elena ‘Maia’ Naum. With my grandmother, I created a cookbook called Cooking with Maia which included traditional Romanian meals. All proceeds from the cookbook go towards Eastern Lighthouse, a Romanian non-profit based in Cincinnati that donates to Romanian orphanages in Romania.

Cookbook Title Page

Prior to my STEP project, I assumed that I was a bad cook and would be doomed to eating pasta for the rest of my life. However, these past two summers, I learned that cooking takes dedication and that anyone could do it. From my experience, I gained a new passion for cooking and realized the importance of maintaining a balanced diet, especially while in college. Additionally, I learned the importance of using natural foods and learned how to incorporate Romanian spices into my meals.

Through my project, I learned how to use a camera as I took pictures of each meal for the cookbook. At the very start of the project, my pictures were not great, however, after using SkillShare and watching videos on how to use my Canon EOS M50, purchased through STEP, I slowly understood how to change aperture, lighting, and framing. I am very proud of my growth throughout this project and it is very rewarding to see my progression through pictures.

Through my STEP experience, I worked alongside Amazon’s publishing company for assistance with final reviews and printing. The experience and help I received from Amazon were great and I really enjoyed working alongside the different publishing consultants. I am very grateful for the relationships formed through this experience and I never would’ve had this opportunity if it weren’t for STEP.

In addition to the relationships made through the publishing company, I grew much closer to my grandmother during this time as we cooked together. I learned a lot about Romanian cuisine as we created recipes ranging from ardei cu branză (bell peppers with feta) to sarmale (Romanian cabbage roll). My grandmother described the importance of each recipe and together, we were able to create an experience for others to try.

Supa de Tiatei cu Piu

Furthermore, I would like to thank my sister, Helen Sotropa, who helped a great deal with the design of the cookbook. Helen is a fashion student at Parsons who has a background using different design software such as InDesign. Thanks to Helen, the cookbook ended up looking very professional and presentable. My relationship with her strengthened during the making of the cookbook as we both learned more about our Romanian heritage and cuisine.

My transformation through STEP has allowed me to develop a better understanding and appreciation for Romanian culture while working on my speaking skills. Although this project was a lot of work, I am very proud of the final outcome and result of the experience. I cannot wait to make this cookbook available for purchase and further give back to the Romanian community by donating all proceeds from the book to the St. Leontie orphanage in Radauti, Romania.

STEP Reflection

For my STEP Project, I decided to take cello lessons. Although I can play several different instruments, I had never played a string instrument before and was very excited to learn something new! Over the past year I took weekly cello lessons through Vaughan Music Studios in Upper Arlington. As I had never played a string instrument before, it took me a long while to learn all the basics of playing, but once I understood those, it was easier to start playing more complicated pieces. It was a wonderful experience and I am so glad that I chose cello as my Signature Project!

When I first began this project, I do not think I was quite ready for all the work that would come along with it. I was having a weekly lesson in which I was expected to have practiced a decent amount to better my skills on the cello. Throughout the year I found that this new routine was something I needed in my life. Cello was a way for me to escape from my usual responsibilities, even if just for a little bit. It was a structured part of my week that I could depend on even in the midst of chaos that ensued when COVID hit the U.S.

Music has always been a way for me to cope with stress and anxieties, so I am so glad that I was able to have cello as a coping mechanism. Those lessons each week were an opportunity for me to just step back and not worry about anything else going on in my life. I could simply play music and enjoy my time.

One of my goals when starting this project was to one day be able to pass on my knowledge of cello to others. As I have used music in the past to help cope with my own anxieties, I have made it a mission of mine to help other people realize how music or other creative outlets can help them as well. Now more than ever, I believe that people need a way to help them through depressing and difficult times in their life. In my opinion, music is a fun and creative way to do this. Through this STEP project not only have I been able to cope better with stress, but I have been able to pass on this knowledge to other people.

At one point this past spring, one of my friends was having a really difficult time and was dealing with a lot of anxieties and worries related to the pandemic, so I offered to help her learn the cello along with me. Not only did the cello help us work through issues in our lives, but our relationship grew even stronger and we were able to help each other through it. I had not even completed the project, and already I was achieving the goals that I had set. I can only hope that I can continue to help other people in this way and spread my knowledge of music and coping mechanisms.

STEP Reflection – Building a Drone – John Healy

My STEP project this summer was building a programming a drone. More specifically, I built a quadcopter (meaning 4 motors/propellers) that would be fit to run on a Blockchain network to simulate what a company like Amazon may use in the future of their delivery. To start, I began programming a simple blockchain on C++, and then I went to configure the drone itself. This involved buying parts from scratch, soldering wires and connectors to the base, learning about drone flight dynamics, and assembling the drone itself.

 

The biggest thing I understood about myself is my tolerance for making mistakes. The blockchain programming was the first big hurdle. I spent countless hours trying to conceptualize how it would work in a delivery scenario. I have done projects in the past that demonstrate how blockchains may be used for election voting, and how they are already used in financial transactions. However, using them in supply chain was an idea that I have heard about but wanted to learn more – and I made many mistakes and miscalculations along the way. I learned that I have the great ability to be resilient in my work, and keep pushing until I find something feasible.

 

Another aspect of my project that I took for granted was building the drone itself. I knew that I would need some electrical engineering knowledge to make it work, however I underestimated how much I would actually need. Moreover, I have never soldered before, and I learned how much of a difficult and tedious task it can be if done incorrectly. I surpassed these challenges again by never quitting and focusing on the bigger picture.

 

One event in particular that allowed me to reconcile these challenges was when I found out that I had bought the wrong part. The motors I planned on using had bullet connectors at the ends of them, which would have made it very easy to solder on the ESCs (electronic speed controllers). However, I found myself with motors that had loose wires. After reading a bit about them, I discovered that I don’t necessarily need the bullet connectors, I just had to trim the wires and solder them together. This was the hardest part of my project, as soldering wires together and soldering a wire to a plate are two different ball games. Unfortunately, one of the motors blew out during testing, which forced me to order another set; thus, I will be re-soldering new motors (now, easier with bullet connectors) back onto the drone so I can continue flight.

 

This transformation is valuable to me as it taught me to never back down from a challenge. Although most of this project was rogue to me at the beginning, I realized that I can conquer any challenging task that I face by having this resilience and drive to learn. This will be useful in my professional career, as I seek admissions to law school – much different subject matter than engineering. Although the law and English were never my strong suit, I am confident in my abilities to press forward with my aspirations of practicing Intellectual Property Law. I also found a great interest in electronics that, although I definitely had going into the project, grew even stronger. I am proud of the progress I have made, and even though I have had some set backs (and one major one with the motor blowing out), I know that I can press forward and achieve the greatness I sought at the beginning of my project. Thank you to those who were a part of my STEP journey, as I could not have reached these heights without your support!

(Picture of drone)