Off to a Good Start By: Ashley Finger As I write this, I am nearing the end of my first full week as an intern for the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. I am the newest intern for the Committee and am a recent graduate of Davidson College where I obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Mathematics. During my time at Davidson College, I developed a wide range of interests—physics, the environment, policy, and law— which led me to apply for and eventually receive the American Institute of Physics Mather Policy Internship, a program that places physicists in internships with government offices. My first, partial week here was fast paced, with a Full Committee markup of the FIRST Act and a hearing on the IPCC, as Elise and Stacy described in their blog posts. As a result, I was immediately captivated by the legislative process and eager for the learning opportunities I have been presented with through this internship. This week, Congress was in recess. I spent the majority of my time reading articles and background information on both upcoming and past topics covered by the committee, and also simply adjusting to the workings of the office. I also had the opportunity to attend an EPA briefing on their Clean Energy Plan proposal, as well as watch a NASA briefing on human spaceflight. In both cases, I enjoyed hearing the questions and concerns of the attendees in person, as well as watching interpretations unfold both within the audience and in the news. It also struck me how expansive the range of issues the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology covers. I also had the opportunity to attend a science fair on Thursday morning for the national finalists of the ExploraVision competition presented their projects, ranging from a synthetic kidney to futuristic sunglasses. Finally, at the end of this week, I began preparation for the hearing “A Review of the P5: The U.S. Vision for Particle Physics After Discovery of the Higgs Boson,” which will occur on Tuesday of next week, and which I am extremely excited about.
Posted on: Mon, 09 Jun 2014 19:46:09 +0000
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