NationStates Jolt Archive

Yeah guys....I'm doing a project for the California State History Day Finals....a Documentary on the Space Race to be exact. I've had to win the competitions at school, district, and county. I'm not gonna lose here...for after this come the NATIONALS!


But...I'm going to be interviewed. Anyone have basic tips on how to not stutter and get nervous?

Oh, and how to make up stuff that you do not know, I'm sure a lot of people here know how to do that

sitting up staight helps. dont fidget or move around alot. look at the persons nose, unless they have a mole or sumthing, then look above an eyebrow. speak only when necesary, but with a solid voice. dont sit with your legs far apart. maybe even cross your ankels. wear dark blue. its a soothing color. makes the interviewer more at ease.

It is best not to make too much stuff up, because they'll notice and if you do it too much they'll noticed, a little and they'll think you have some holes in your knowledge

First of all make sure you are well prepared with fact about the space race. Try to think like a politician and you will be able to talk about it without really stammering. I was in the Texas States Science and Engineering Fair and I am not a good public relations person. However, I reviewed my materials and was able to come across as a very well versed individual, to some of the most prominent people in the field of engineering. I was even able to impress them with my level of knowledge, given the fact that I was also in middle school.

Best thing you can do is to KNOW your stuff like the back of your hand. That way they can ask you questions and you will have the answers for you. You can also have someone who knows alot about the subject to ask you questions about the space race. If you want I could ask you things and see how you'd respond. But thats how I would prepare if I were in your shoes.

It is best not to make too much stuff up, because they'll notice and if you do it too much they'll noticed, a little and they'll think you have some holes in your knowledge

The only things I would have to make up would be the sources I have used for my project. Then again, some things I do not know...hmm...

First of all make sure you are well prepared with fact about the space race. Try to think like a politician and you will be able to talk about it without really stammering. I was in the Texas States Science and Engineering Fair and I am not a good public relations person. However, I reviewed my materials and was able to come across as a very well versed individual, to some of the most prominent people in the field of engineering. I was even able to impress them with my level of knowledge, given the fact that I was also in middle school.

Best thing you can do is to KNOW your stuff like the back of your hand. That way they can ask you questions and you will have the answers for you. You can also have someone who knows alot about the subject to ask you questions about the space race. If you want I could ask you things and see how you'd respond. But thats how I would prepare if I were in your shoes.

yes...ask me some questions

I swear I would not cheat or anything

Smile and look confident. Shake hands and repeat names after being introduced. Don't lean forward, but definitely don't lean back (don't want to look lazy/uncaring).

It is best not to make too much stuff up, because they'll notice and if you do it too much they'll noticed, a little and they'll think you have some holes in your knowledge

The only things I would have to make up would be the sources I have used for my project. Then again, some things I do not know...hmm...

Do you mean saying you used sources which you didn't, but exist. Or making up non-existant sources?

You can get away with the first instance but not the second (or if you do, coun t yourself lucky)

It is best not to make too much stuff up, because they'll notice and if you do it too much they'll noticed, a little and they'll think you have some holes in your knowledge

The only things I would have to make up would be the sources I have used for my project. Then again, some things I do not know...hmm...

Do you mean saying you used sources which you didn't, but exist. Or making up non-existant sources?

You can get away with the first instance but not the second (or if you do, coun t yourself lucky)

The first instance

Know your material thoroughly.

Be enthusiastic and eager about your work.

Don't try to fake it or BS anything.

Smile.

Have fun just being there!

Good luck!

The first instance

Well then read the sources before hand briefly so you don't sound you misinterpreted them.

But you should get away with it.

What was the underlying cause for the space race?

How many major countries were involved in the research?

Where is the Russian Mission Control Center?

What are the major US facilities that were used heavily in the Space Program and where are they?

What did NASA replace?

What was the underlying cause for the space race?

How many major countries were involved in the research?

Where is the Russian Mission Control Center?

What are the major US facilities that were used heavily in the Space Program and where are they?

What did NASA replace?

1. Sputnik's launch

2. U.S., Soviet Union, France, Britain, Germany

3. Moscow, Russia

4. Johnsons Space Center in Houston, Texas
Kennedy Space Center in Cape Carnival, Florida

5. NACA


2 and 4 I had to guess. Although they were guessed with thought

It is best not to make too much stuff up, because they'll notice and if you do it too much they'll noticed, a little and they'll think you have some holes in your knowledge

The only things I would have to make up would be the sources I have used for my project. Then again, some things I do not know...hmm...

Fudging sources is a bit of a bad idea, if you're thinking of fabricating references.
Generally, it's not a good idea to make stuff up. Know your materials well, and be able to explain the significance of events. If you're planning on going to the Nationals, the competition there will be wicked fierce, so you'll be up against the varsity, so to speak.
I may also be able to help with prep questions (I was in the engineering industry, and am planning my dramatic re-entry), given some time to research.
Also, what exactly are you going to be expected to know? Technical details of how exactly spacecraft and launch vehicles work? Technical details of the American and Soviet space programs? Political ramifications of events? (This last since you mentioned the space race.) And what timeframe are you looking at? (Does your presentation cover up to the present day?)

I cannot really say what I am expected to know. Although earlier, I was asked about the different viewpoints about the Space Race, and how I used my Primary and Secondary sources


These are all great tips guys, I'm positive it can make a difference

Good luck.

PS don't revise about 3/4 of an hour before hand. What you learn eclipses everything else you have learned.

What was the underlying cause for the space race?

How many major countries were involved in the research?

Where is the Russian Mission Control Center?

What are the major US facilities that were used heavily in the Space Program and where are they?

What did NASA replace?

1. Sputnik's launch

2. U.S., Soviet Union, France, Britain, Germany

3. Moscow, Russia

4. Johnsons Space Center in Houston, Texas
Kennedy Space Center in Cape Carnival, Florida

5. NACA


2 and 4 I had to guess. Although they were guessed with thought

Um, for #4, it's Cape Canaveral, Florida. Not to nitpick or anything...

Okay, here's some questions for you.

What is a geosynchronous orbit? What is the significance or usefulness of geosynchronous orbit?

What are the Van Allen belts, and why are they critical to manned space missions?

(Which are more technical than anything else, and have little to do with the Space Race's political ramifications.)

Just be honest, about everything, and if you don't know the answer, say so.

What was the underlying cause for the space race?

How many major countries were involved in the research?

Where is the Russian Mission Control Center?

What are the major US facilities that were used heavily in the Space Program and where are they?

What did NASA replace?

1. Sputnik's launch
Part of the reason of the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union was because of the increased tension with the cold war. Not only was Sputnik the first major step into space, but there was concern by both militaries that if the other nation got a hold on space before the other there would be a possibility of new space based weapons platforms which further propogated into what was known as Star Wars later on.

2. U.S., Soviet Union, France, Britain, Germany
Most of the research was done between the nations of the US and the Soviet Union which was obvious but France and Britian did not have much action in determining the course of the SR but Germany Did. With the loss of WWII and the neglected research into rocket propelled warheads Werhner Van Braun left Germany to assist the United States High altitude research project which was run by the air force.

3. Moscow, Russia
If memory serves Baikonur is the launch site for all Russian Space Ops

4. Johnsons Space Center in Houston, Texas
Kennedy Space Center in Cape Carnival, Florida
Correct

5. NACA
Air Force's Outer Atmosphere Testing and Exploration

2 and 4 I had to guess. Although they were guessed with thought

What was the underlying cause for the space race?

How many major countries were involved in the research?

Where is the Russian Mission Control Center?

What are the major US facilities that were used heavily in the Space Program and where are they?

What did NASA replace?

1. Sputnik's launch

2. U.S., Soviet Union, France, Britain, Germany

3. Moscow, Russia

4. Johnsons Space Center in Houston, Texas
Kennedy Space Center in Cape Carnival, Florida

5. NACA


2 and 4 I had to guess. Although they were guessed with thought

Um, for #4, it's Cape Canaveral, Florida. Not to nitpick or anything...

Okay, here's some questions for you.

What is a geosynchronous orbit? What is the significance or usefulness of geosynchronous orbit?

What are the Van Allen belts, and why are they critical to manned space missions?

(Which are more technical than anything else, and have little to do with the Space Race's political ramifications.)

:? I have no clue whta a geosyncho....whatever is...

Van Allen belts....I have no clue either, although the name is familiar

JSC in Houston and KSC in Cape Canaveral are the two major facilities that operate the NASA program along with NORAD in Cheyenne Mountain and Space COMMAND in the Pentagon. Speaking of which what does NORAD stand for and what is its objective?

What was the underlying cause for the space race?

How many major countries were involved in the research?

Where is the Russian Mission Control Center?

What are the major US facilities that were used heavily in the Space Program and where are they?

What did NASA replace?

1. Sputnik's launch
Part of the reason of the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union was because of the increased tension with the cold war. Not only was Sputnik the first major step into space, but there was concern by both militaries that if the other nation got a hold on space before the other there would be a possibility of new space based weapons platforms which further propogated into what was known as Star Wars later on.

2. U.S., Soviet Union, France, Britain, Germany
Most of the research was done between the nations of the US and the Soviet Union which was obvious but France and Britian did not have much action in determining the course of the SR but Germany Did. With the loss of WWII and the neglected research into rocket propelled warheads Werhner Van Braun left Germany to assist the United States High altitude research project which was run by the air force.

3. Moscow, Russia
If memory serves Baikonur is the launch site for all Russian Space Ops
Baikonur was the primary site for Soviet space missions, and the only site used for manned missions. Kapustin Yar and Plesetsk are two other cosmodromes, apparently used for satellite launches. (What's freaky is that there are ICBM silos near Plesetsk. Hmm.) And the Russians are apparently considering building a new cosmodrome in Eastern Siberia, as Baikonur is in Kazakhstan. [LB's comments]

4. Johnsons Space Center in Houston, Texas
Kennedy Space Center in Cape Carnival, Florida
Correct

5. NACA
Air Force's Outer Atmosphere Testing and Exploration
Although NASA did replace NACA insofar as aerodynamics research goes. [LB's comments]

2 and 4 I had to guess. Although they were guessed with thought

What was the underlying cause for the space race?

How many major countries were involved in the research?

Where is the Russian Mission Control Center?

What are the major US facilities that were used heavily in the Space Program and where are they?

What did NASA replace?

1. Sputnik's launch
Part of the reason of the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union was because of the increased tension with the cold war. Not only was Sputnik the first major step into space, but there was concern by both militaries that if the other nation got a hold on space before the other there would be a possibility of new space based weapons platforms which further propogated into what was known as Star Wars later on.

2. U.S., Soviet Union, France, Britain, Germany
Most of the research was done between the nations of the US and the Soviet Union which was obvious but France and Britian did not have much action in determining the course of the SR but Germany Did. With the loss of WWII and the neglected research into rocket propelled warheads Werhner Van Braun left Germany to assist the United States High altitude research project which was run by the air force.

3. Moscow, Russia
If memory serves Baikonur is the launch site for all Russian Space Ops

4. Johnsons Space Center in Houston, Texas
Kennedy Space Center in Cape Carnival, Florida
Correct

5. NACA
Air Force's Outer Atmosphere Testing and Exploration

2 and 4 I had to guess. Although they were guessed with thought

Actually, NASA did replace NACA
Founded in 1958 by authority of the National Aeronautics and Space Act, NASA replaced the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) that was created by the United States Congress in 1915.

And yes, Sputnik did cause the Space Race. Of course, the Cold War was a major fuel, but it did not spark the Space Race. The American people and government leaders feared Soviet superiority in space (with the exception of President Eisenhower) would allow spy satellites to watch over the U.S.

JSC in Houston and KSC in Cape Canaveral are the two major facilities that operate the NASA program along with NORAD in Cheyenne Mountain and Space COMMAND in the Pentagon. Speaking of which what does NORAD stand for and what is its objective?

NORAD: NORth American Aerospace Defence Command (don't ask me where the extra letters went...)

NORAD is a joint US-Canadian organization which provides warning of missile and air attack against the US or Canada, and is responsible for the defence of Canadian and US airspace against aerial attack. (Don't ask me how this works against an ICBM, 'cos I have no idea.)

Oh, yeah. NORAD also tracks Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. It's pretty cute, actually.

I got this information from www.norad.mil; the website for the Santa-tracking is www.noradsanta.org. Alas, the Santa-tracker site is inactive 'til 25 November '04.

:? I have no clue whta a geosyncho....whatever is...

Van Allen belts....I have no clue either, although the name is familiar

1. A geosynchronous orbit is an orbital path for a satellite that basically keeps it in the same position over the equator. (It orbits the earth at a speed that roughly matches the earth's rotational speed.) It's useful for communications satellites, as transmitting/receiving equipment do not have to be re-trained to follow the satellite's path, and the satellite will not move out of line-of-sight.

2. The Van Allen belts are two belts of very intense radiation around the earth. The radiation is intense enough to severely degrade unshielded satellite components and to do a good amount of radiation damage to unshielded people as well.

:? I have no clue whta a geosyncho....whatever is...

Van Allen belts....I have no clue either, although the name is familiar

1. A geosynchronous orbit is an orbital path for a satellite that basically keeps it in the same position over the equator. (It orbits the earth at a speed that roughly matches the earth's rotational speed.) It's useful for communications satellites, as transmitting/receiving equipment do not have to be re-trained to follow the satellite's path, and the satellite will not move out of line-of-sight.

Thought up by Arthur C. Clarke in the "Fountains of Paridise" (?) by using Keppler's 3rd law.

Hey, it might get you extra marks/kudos :wink: