By Angela Hey
About this blog: I write about technology companies, trends and events in and around Mountain View. Where else can you find startups nurtured by
Y-Combinator and
(More)About this blog: I write about technology companies, trends and events in and around Mountain View. Where else can you find startups nurtured by
Y-Combinator and
500 Startups working alongside multi-billion corporations like
Google,
Symantec and
Intuit? I like to write about software and systems that are changing lifestyles. Innovations like self-driving cars, on-demand limousine services and electric bikes are revolutionizing transportation. Smartphones help people find their way, manage their health and make new friends. In my articles, I like to include something for Mountain View residents, something for industry professionals and something for venture investors. I'm particularly interested in mobile apps and cloud computing. I came to California to find software applications for AT&T. I've worked in startups, advised venture capitalists and analyzed enterprise software markets. After getting a PhD at the University of London in engineering, I joined Bell Laboratories, analyzing over 400 telephone company systems. I also have an MMath degree in optimization from the University of Waterloo in Canada, and an MA in mathematics from the University of Cambridge. My husband John Mashey, is a computer scientist and trustee of the Computer History Museum. He also defends climate scientists by blogging.
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Three air traffic controllers helped children from
ACE Charter School in San Jose use their math skills last Tuesday at NASA Ames. The children played
a simulation game in which the goal was to line up planes over Modesto with 3 knots spacing between them in a set time. They calculated the optimal speed for each plane. If all the planes went at 600 knots they might get too close. If they went too slowly they might not get to Modesto in time. Check out the
NASA movie to understand how the game is played.
The event was sponsored by NASA, the Silicon Valley Education Foundation (SVEF) and the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley. Representing the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley, former San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales gave a heartfelt speech in which he said that although he'd grown up 2 miles from NASA he was never invited to visit the facility as a child. He reminded everyone of the great resources and opportunities that are available locally.
The children said they didn't have big screens to play on at school like they did at NASA. Muhammed Chaudhry, CEO of SVEF, inspired the class by telling the kids that he would see that the problem was fixed. (Note: if any businesses have fairly new computers with large flat screens that they want to donate, schools are a great cause).
Check out
the game for yourself and play online using just your web browser.
When people talk about the crowded skies and I look up and see empty space, I now understand how the planes are scheduled. If you want insights into what an air traffic controller does, then it's worth trying the game. The air traffic controllers who attended had long years of service with the FAA. The training takes about 3 years, and includes a 3-month initial course at the FAA's training center, followed up by an apprenticeship on the job.
