My name is Chris Weigel and I am a senior majoring in Aerospace Engineering. Initially, I came to OU wanting to be a Chemical Engineer. I have always enjoyed chemistry and still do to this day. Often my favorite parts of my classes are those that involve looking at the chemistry behind the mechanics. That being said, I switched to Aerospace because I realized how much I love aircraft and spacecraft.
I am a member of the Boomer Rocket Team, an engineering competition team focused on building rockets for competition. Last year I helped build our rocket for the Spaceport America Cup which is an international competition. This was the team's first competition with more than 5 other teams competing.
Other than building rockets, I am an avid gamer. I probably play more video games than I should, but I'm having fun so I guess I don't really care. I primarily play Overwatch and Dota 2. I play a number of other games as well, but those are the two games I spend the most time playing. I really love the challenge of these two games. They both take a lot of strategic skill and mechanical skill and this makes every match interesting and unique.
I think video games played a big part in inspiring me to want to do Aerospace Engineering. Two of my favorite game series are Halo and Mass Effect, both are beautiful space operas. I think I loved these games almost more for the setting than I do for the actual gameplay itself. Additionally, I played a lot of the Battlefield series. These games allow you to drive and pilot different vehicles and aircraft. While there was a lot of emphasis on playing as a foot soldier, by far my favorite parts of these games were flying the aircraft.
I am a member of the Boomer Rocket Team, an engineering competition team focused on building rockets for competition. Last year I helped build our rocket for the Spaceport America Cup which is an international competition. This was the team's first competition with more than 5 other teams competing.
BRT Rocket Launching at Competition
Courtesy of BRT
Other than building rockets, I am an avid gamer. I probably play more video games than I should, but I'm having fun so I guess I don't really care. I primarily play Overwatch and Dota 2. I play a number of other games as well, but those are the two games I spend the most time playing. I really love the challenge of these two games. They both take a lot of strategic skill and mechanical skill and this makes every match interesting and unique.
I think video games played a big part in inspiring me to want to do Aerospace Engineering. Two of my favorite game series are Halo and Mass Effect, both are beautiful space operas. I think I loved these games almost more for the setting than I do for the actual gameplay itself. Additionally, I played a lot of the Battlefield series. These games allow you to drive and pilot different vehicles and aircraft. While there was a lot of emphasis on playing as a foot soldier, by far my favorite parts of these games were flying the aircraft.
Wow Chris! being a rocket scientist sounds very interesting! Building rockets for OU sounds very fun and exciting! I wish I had the talents to build rockets and stuff. That is like literally like dream com true for all the guys out there! Keep up the hard work and lets get through this class together!
ReplyDeleteIt seems like there is a whole aerospace crew this semester, Chris, which is really exciting to see! I should go back through the enrollment roster and make a list so you guys can make sure to connect at some point during the semester! That rocket picture is SO COOL, and I would guess that you can harness the creative power of video games for your storytelling in this class. Science-fiction-inspired stories are some of my favorites; science fiction technology opens up that kind of imaginative space that the supernatural does in traditional myths and legends. If you are interested, there is a futuristic dystopian version of the Ramayana as a graphic novel series that we have in Bizzell; that might be something you would enjoy taking a look at later this semester: Ramayan 3392 AD.
ReplyDeleteHey Chris! I think Aerospace Engineering is was great field to head in, especially given the job opportunities here. Building rockets seems really fun, do you strap cameras to them when you launch? Because it seems like that'd make for some really cool footage. I used to play a lot of Dota 2 and Battlefield as well, though I was usually the one trying to snipe pilots of their planes in Battlefield 1.
ReplyDeleteHey Chris!
ReplyDeleteI didn't even know that OU had a Rocket Team. I hope that the competitions go even better this year! Similarly, I also play far more video games than I should. Coming into college I primarily played single-player games and always loved the campaign missions in the Halo franchise. Most memorably is when my brother and I stayed up until 4am to beat Halo 3, nothing like riding Warthogs over exploding floors to end the night.
Hey Chris,
ReplyDeleteI too love the Halo and Mass Effect franchises! Both of them are filled with so much lore and history, which makes the setting feel very real. I'd love to hear your opinions on how Bioware handled the end of Mass Effect 3. I always mean to play more Overwatch, but I always end up getting stuck doing school work that takes up too much time.
hi , chris reading through your post I see you loveeeee games a lot and you remind me of my little cousin that also use to play video games as a kid, and he would play them so long he would fall asleep with the controller in his hands. But I guess you can say that is a true gamer.
ReplyDeleteHi Chris! I never even knew that there was a rocket team, but it's great that you get to study Aerospace Engineering and use your knowledge in a practical way. Finding something that you genuinely enjoy studying in college is special. I have tried getting into Overwatch, but I could never get the strategy down right. Good luck this semester in Indian Epics.
ReplyDeleteHello Chris! I am also senior like you and my major is Management Information System (MIS). Your major sounds hard because one of my friends also have the same major as you and good luck man you need it for this major. I also like to play the video game but for a long time, I haven't played a game because I been busy with college.
ReplyDeleteHow's it hangin' Chris, I enjoyed reading about you and how much you love anything related to aerospace. I am a mechanical engineer so I am sure we have been in the same classes before, although I don't think I have ever met you before. I also enjoy the occasional halo night with my pals, if you are ever interested hit me up sometime and we can play together.
ReplyDeleteHey Chris. I love to see your passion in aerospace matters. I too like to play video games but I mainly play Fortnight these days but I wish I had time to play more. However, the other night my friends and I did play some Halo 3 for old time's sake.I think the picture you posted of the rocket is really cool too!
ReplyDeleteHey Chris,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are very passionate about your degree! It must have been very exciting to watch that SpaceX launch earlier in the week. Also I play Overwatch too! Watching streams of other players blows my mind from how mechanically skilled they are with their play. Mass Effect was an excellent game series too. I never played Andromeda, but I played the first three several times. They were just well-done games.
Hi Chris, it's nice to meet you! Wow, reading your post I can almost feel the passion you have for the things you do! Your major and career goals are so unique, and it just reminds me how diverse of a campus OU is. Although I have never been an avid gamer, I liked that you mentioned how much you love it. I am earning a minor in chemistry, and some days, I like it but other I hate it... I hope that I can find some passion for it deep down on the difficult test days!
ReplyDeleteHey Chris! It has been a while since I last saw you. I hope all is going pretty well, and I'm glad we are in this class together. You are a pretty great guy and I am happy you have enjoyed the rocket team as much as I have. There are always new things to learn and new experiences to have when it comes to rocketry. I'll see you at graduation!
ReplyDeleteHi Chris! Wow, I had no idea that OU had a rocket team! I don't know anyone at the University of Oklahoma who is an aerospace engineering major so you are the first! I can tell you have a lot of passion and excitement towards your major and I think that is awesome! I look forward to continue to read posts from you as well as reading your storybook/portfolio in the future!
ReplyDeleteChris, I like your taste in video games, Halo was my favorite game growing up, so much that I have even 3D printed a master chief helmet. It is interesting how you still get to work with the chemical aspects of your original field in rocketry, due to the fuels and propulsion systems. I wish you the best of luck in capstone and with your rocket competitions, I understand how busy and stressful this senior year can be.
ReplyDeleteHi Chris! Wow, building rockets sounds neat! I wish I could do that. What's an aerospace? I feel like I've heard the term thrown around a few times, but I never found out what it was. I also play dota 2, we should meet up and play some time. I've also gotten into this brand new game, it just came out like 10 years ago. It's called super smash bros. You probably haven't heard of it, it was made by a small indie company, kinda like blizzard.
ReplyDeleteHi Chris, is is nice to meet you! Your love for your major and rockets is evident, and I hope you get to build and work with rockets after you graduate from college. I think it is neat that you got to help build a rocket for an international competition - I bet the experience was a blast! Since I do not have any brothers, I have never really got into video games. However, some of my best guy friends growing up were avid gamers and I have heard about Halo, but have never heard about Mass Effect. Well, I hope you enjoy your last semester of college and best of luck in your future endeavors!
ReplyDeleteHey Chris!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found a major you love! I didn't know OU had even had a Boomer Rocket Team! It must be so much fun getting to build the rockets and then watch them work. I enjoy video games too! I like anything with Mario mostly. I tried playing Halo and enjoyed it but I like watching other people play it more. You sound very passionate about what you do. Do you plan to work for NASA? I hope you enjoy your last semester here at OU. Congrats in advance!
Hi Chris! It must be so exciting to be a senior, are you graduating soon? That’s so cool that you got to help build the rocket for an international competition last year. I could never imagine myself being capable of doing that. I also play quite a bit of video games but I don’t have time to play as much as I used to.
ReplyDeleteHey Chris! That is so cool that you are apart of the Boomer Rocket Team. I had no idea that we actually had that here. I have recently began trying to build rockets myself. Although i do not get real technical with cone nozzle structures and such I liked to play around with the chemical make up of the engines. Making them burn longer. Making an engine with more thrust. Still one of my favorites is using a little powdered sugar and ammonium nitrate mixed together. Cheap, easy, and works pretty well! Nice to get to know you a little bit!
ReplyDeleteHi, Chris! It is so awesome that you are doing something that you love. I have so much respect and am honestly kind of jealous of mathematically minded people! I am totally not that way, and I wish I was. How cool that you build rockets!! I have no idea how you would even start with that so I am impressed. Thanks for sharing part of your story!!
ReplyDeleteHey Chris, even though you enjoyed Chemistry I'm glad you found your true calling into Aerospace Engineering. Having a passion for your degree really helps you keep going through the classes. I am not sure how far along you are but by senior year, you get to where you are done with classes altogether. I did not know that OU had a Rocket Team. The picture looks great and even though I do not know much about Aerospace Engineering everyone can admit that it is cool to watch a rocket blast off. Good luck in your classes this semester and your rocket competitions!
ReplyDeleteHey Chris! I am a student in Mythology. It is funny that you love the classes that involve chemistry of any kind, because chemistry is my least favorite subject. I also enjoy gaming. During school, I normally just watch twitch and youtube gaming because I do not have much time outside of homework, work, and class.
ReplyDeleteHey Chris! I'm glad you found what you wanted to do while you were still in school, Aerospace Engineering sounds really exciting! I didn't know that there was a rocket team at OU, that's really cool that you've been able to be a part of that. I've only ever built small model rockets. In high school I did a science fair project on the aerodynamics of rockets so I made the nose of the model rockets have different shapes and found that the one that flew the highest was one where the nose was indented like a golf ball!
ReplyDeleteHello!
ReplyDeleteYour blog is really eye captivating. I love the blue! I also laughed at your title, "The Writings of an Illiterate Man." Both of those degrees you are interested in are the absolute hardest, in my opinion, but it's great that you are so involved and passionate about them! My dad really loved chemistry when he was in college too, and he eventually got a degree in it! He always told me do what you love and love what you do, and it sounds like you found it! I hope you have a great rest of the semester!
Hey Chris! It is great to meet you! It is cool how this class has people from so many different majors and backgrounds. It sounds like you really enjoy your major and it also seems like engineering matches your personality well. A lot of my friends are in the aerospace track in Germany. Good luck with the rest of your studies!
ReplyDeleteHey Chris!
ReplyDeleteI am graduating in May also! We are so close to the end! I hope this final semester has been fun and easy and rewarding. That is so cool that you have gotten to build a rocket that was in a competition. That's awesome that your video game hobby influenced your career choice. To me, I think that means that you are going to have so much fun in your career!
I'm an Overwatch fan as well! I love the group dynamics you can find in that game - no two games are alike, and it can be a real blast if you get matched up with a team who knows what they're doing! I've never played Dota, but I've heard good things. I should give it a try sometime.
ReplyDeleteMy associates (earned before I attended OU), is in Chemistry! I love the subject as well, despite choosing to focus on Microbiology at OU. It can be such a blast to learn the different nomenclature involved in Chemistry, especially in Organic Chem.
Hey Chris! Wow I didn't know that OU had the Boomer Rocket Team, that's so cool, you learn something new about your school everyday! I also grew up playing Halo. I remember going to friends' houses and staying up all night in Forge mode just trying out new and crazy things to build on the maps. I understand why gaming would affect your decision in becoming an Aerospace major!
ReplyDelete