NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

By: Denise Lineberry

A multi-disciplinary approach to modeling and simulation (M&S) called the attention of hundreds to the 2009 MODSIM World Conference and Expo at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, Oct. 14-16. NASA Langley has sponsored this event for two years.

2009 MODSIM World Conference and Expo logo.

Click image to enlarge

It was kicked-off with a summit hosted by Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.). "This [M&S] should be a place for Hampton Roads and Virginia's leadership," he said. A state task force was created to "redouble our efforts."

With nine months in office, Sen. Warner has dedicated $27 million to M&S. He referred to it as an "industry staple" that would provide 11,000 jobs with incomes "north of $80,000 a year."

Warner plans to expand modeling and simulation education into Virginia universities and colleges. U.S. Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra couldn't agree more.

"When I speak to employers, one of their top concerns is finding highly-skilled employees," Chopra said. He spoke about the importance of a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education and building pipelines in technology and innovation from a national level.

He mentioned his visit to Jamestown's 400^th anniversary, where he was able to meet Queen Elizabeth II. From that meeting, Chopra took away her notion of commonwealth. "She told us that occasionally we get together to make laws, but more importantly, we are neighbors gathering for a common cause," he said.

According to Chopra, that notion of collaboration is being exemplified through Modeling and Simulation efforts in Hampton Roads.

Chopra mentioned Jim Batterson, who retired from NASA in April of last year and has been appointed Senior Advisor to the Commonwealth on STEM Initiatives. Batterson helped to build educational foundations by developing a physics flex book, which includes a chapter on modeling and simulation. NASA Langley's Center Director Lesa Roe was also recognized for her efforts in getting that information distributed to schools.

"Just good people figuring it out," Chopra said. "They embodied the spirit of the commonwealth."

Roe mentioned this initiative in an all-hands meeting at NASA Langley on Thursday. "We distributed the chapter school-by-school at a state level, but now we have huge support from a national level," she said.

Educating students in modeling and simulating can achieve goals that reach beyond a national a level. General James Mattis, Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command hoped his visit and talk at the summit would continue to provoke the spirit of commonwealth. A "sense of urgency" brought him from Iraq to Virginia Beach.

"Eighty-six percent of casualties are from infantry units, yet we devote so few resources to modeling and simulation," he said.

According to Mattis, virtual cities and situations would help get the troops ready. "They are young warriors. We need to get them through their first five fire fights and improve their chances of surviving," he said.

Modeling and simulation would allow replication of tactical and ethical dilemmas that they are faced with. "Situations can be better examined and re-examined by simulators," he said. "We need this kind of support as fast as we can."

Astronaut Charles Camarda was a keynote speaker for the event. Camarda was head of the Thermal Structures Branch at NASA Langley in 1996 when he was selected to be an astronaut.

Speakers, educational tracks, presentations, and product demonstrations centered on using modeling and simulation tools and practices in emerging and innovative environments.

Attendees learned about new applications and practices and had an opportunity to network with other industry professionals.

Modeling and Simulation concepts were displayed in areas such as defense and homeland security, education and training, engineering and science, health and medicine, human behaviors and interactions, gaming and transportation and logistics.

Students had the opportunity to meet with experts in the M&S field, explore career pathways, view technology demonstrations and participate in hands-on activities.


 
NASA Langley Research Center
Managing Editor: Jim Hodges
Executive Editor and Responsible NASA Official: H. Keith Henry
Editor and Curator: Denise Lineberry