Like many other medical conditions, chronic migraines and headaches occur in about two to three million people in the United States, one of them being my mother. 
For my capstone, I decided that my overall goal was to create a portable massaging tool that helps with headaches and/or migraines. This gave me the chance to take my passions of both physical therapy and computer science and apply it to something useful. With the help of many research papers, I decided to focus on the four pressure points: two on the neck, and two on the forehead, to help release the pain, by decreasing the intensity of the headache.
The most important part of this project was getting familiar with coding. This was the first code that I had to build and structure myself, and it was difficult. Just figuring out the first code for finding frequency took about four weeks, as I was trying to gain knowledge of coding through Arduino references sheets and different libraries. At one point, I got stuck on one part of the code for several days. Then, I had to make another code for the actual vibration using the Circuit Playground Express and a Haptic Motor Driver, as the power of the headband. The vibration motors were connected to the power, all soldered. After that, I placed the circuit onto a plastic material, that was easy to slide throughout the newly made headband (with zipper for easy access to the circuit and controls). 

Abraham, Nikhil. CODING FOR KIDS FOR DUMMIES. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2015. http://file.allitebooks.com/20150627/Coding%20For%20Dummies.pdf. This source provides the full language of code, understanding, and writing it. This information can easily be used to gain early knowledge on what exactly it is, and getting started on learning one of the languages. In skimming through, the beginning instructs the learner to always follow instructions and make sure it is fun for him/her, for it’s easier to learn when one is fully engaged and eager to learn about something he/she cares about.

Baumhardt, Carol, LMT. “Migraine and Tension Headaches: Using Massage to Ease the Pain.” Nationwide Children’s. December 19, 2017. Accessed January 24, 2019. https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/700childrens/2017/12/migraine-and-tension-headaches-using-massage-to-ease-the-pain. This source provides early information about the differences between a migraine and a headache, explained by a professional, hinting on what needs to happen to treat them both. The author comments the initial signs of each and goes into deep detail with symptoms and even giving statistics on each about how many people suffer from both, or even confuse the two. It stresses the importance of knowing and telling a doctor of some sort, so help can be provided. In fact, the article does hint the readers about the success massages have had on people, especially migraine sufferers and children.

Chaibi, Aleksander, Tuchin, Peter J., and Russell, Michael Bjørn. “Manual Therapies for Migraine: A Systematic Review.” PMC, February 05, 2011. Accessed January 24, 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3072494/#CR9. This source is a series of journal entries that shows multiple experiments of massage therapy being utilized on people with any type of head pain: migraines or just regular headaches. The difference between this one and the previous, is that this one was done in both the United States and New Zealand, both having the frequencies of the head pain being reduced between 31% and 71%. Along with these conclusions, the numbers can be used for programming and calculating the intensity of the massage tool, how fast it vibrates, and it would be simpler understand the effects of the tool, even with not enough testers to use the tool.

Downward, Emily. “Massages for Migraine Relief.” Migraine.com. May 2018. Accessed January 24, 2019. https://migraine.com/complimentary-and-alternative-therapies/massage/. This source provides the general information needed on massage therapy and its use to those who suffer from migraines. It also goes deeper into the fact that it is possible to have a self-massage for migraines, describing the different types of massages and what is useful for those with frequent migraines. In addition, it provides warnings as to who can/cannot use this therapy, for their health, which helps conclude that there needs to be a safer way to give the therapeutic massages. The writer of the article is not a doctor herself, but professional doctors, therapists, and college students are referenced throughout the article to prove the discoveries.

Flow - Wellness and Training. Youtube. April 11, 2017. Accessed January 24, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=SkyE24PmWgQ. This source is from a legitimate company that performs migraine massage therapy in Greece, known for their ideals and unique but successful approach to treatment and diseases. The video is showing a migraine massage being done on a patient, explaining each of their movements, along with the muscles being used and what they do to participate in the intensity of migraines. It also shows several different massages being done, all including the face and the neck. This describes the process in which needed to understand how much pressure and vibration goes into each movement and spot in which they used.

Glaser, Angie. “8 Pressure Points for Headaches You Should Know About.” Migraine Again. April 08, 2017. Accessed January 24, 2019. https://migraineagain.com/pressure-points-for-headaches-and-nausea/. This source provides information on acupressure for people who would like to self-massage, which is used mostly when a person suddenly has a terrible migraine or headache. It demonstrates with pictures showing the exact spots that ease the intensity in migraines and headaches. This could eventually be used in the instruction manual, explaining the use and safety measures of the tool. It also links to video interviews of real people with migraines and how they feel after doing therapy and using these pressure points. This can conclude the popular spot in which works the best for patients, which equal overall happiness.

Golden, Katie M. “Tackling Migraines Head-On | Massage Therapy Journal.” Amtamassage. May 23, 2017. Accessed January 24, 2019. https://www.amtamassage.org/articles/3/MTJ/detail/3704/tackling-migraines-head-on. This source is actually a journal explaining the steps in which migraines normally progress, described in phases. With a total of four phases, it tells the period in which they last, what it feels like, and the effects of each step. It also goes into depth about people with chronic tension type migraines, and how massage therapy is the best home remedy and the most effective. Along with this, it goes into more statistics about specific cases of people with chronic migraines and their lives with and without the massages.

Khan, Salman. “Planning a Programming Project.” Khan Academy. Accessed January 24, 2019. https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/computer-programming/programming/good-pr actices/a/planning-a-programming-project. This source gives a detailed step by step process on how to approach a coding project for beginners, seeing that beginners would need more guidance than experienced engineers would. In reading through the whole article, it was clear that the first step is to understand and determine the goals of the project, then more on to the materials and the experience one will need to be able to complete it. At the same time, it also encourages that one shouldn’t get easily frustrated and if there is a problem, to just look it up and see if anyone else has done anything like it. It also suggests to make a timeline for what needs to be done.

Kirby, Kristin J. “Is Massage Effective As A Non-Pharmacologic Treatment For Individuals Suffering From Migraines?” (2012). Student diss. Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Accessed January 24, 2019. https://digitalcommons.pcom.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1084&context=pa_systematic_reviews. This source is a college science paper, proving that massage therapy does indeed make a difference on patients that suffer from migraines, or even just occurring headaches. There are a total of three different studies, two of them involving deep tissue massages either once or twice a week for five weeks. The patient’s outcomes before, during, and after the massage, their migraine headache frequency, and their sleep quality was recorded everyday during the five weeks, which is shown within the source. These numbers can definitely be utilized in the making of the project.

“Top 10 Best Handheld Deep Tissue Electric Massagers in 2018.” GGP. 2018. Accessed January 24, 2019. https://garagegymplanner.com/best-electric-massagers/. This source is an article from a health company that tries to encourage people to be healthy at home and suggest ways in which they can do so, without it being difficult. It evaluates the best electric massagers describing their techniques, and also other ratings that real people who have actually used the product have said about it. With judging their vibration intensity, duration, and overall appearance, it also describes what it’s best used for in certain situations, talking about the motors and types of heads that is provided. This will make it easier to pick it flaws and see important components that will be needed with the project.

Airlines are scrambling to train and hire young aviation professionals, and will be almost indefinitely. Aircraft manufacturers, Boeing and Airbus are projecting the industry to need 1.3 million aviation professionals, such as pilots, mechanics, and dispatchers within the next twenty years. With aviation being one of the world’s favorite forms of transportation, with 48% of American vacationers flying in airplanes for travel, it is important to sustain the industry.

Aside from transportation, aviation is used to power global commerce giants, to protect our pipelines, fight wildfires, among numerous purposes. With aviation having an employment disparity of this level, it is important to engage the next generation to fill the important needs aviation solves. Thus, aviation needs to be promoted as the welcoming field and community it is.

Unfortunately, it is hard to decide on pursuing aviation with a lack of exposure to it. It is hard to know if you enjoy flying an airplane if you don’t know what’s involved in it. The Philadelphia Youth Aviation Fair is a gathering of aviators, current and future to promote careers in aviation to the next generation. Participants in the fair will receive a complimentary flight in an airplane, a tour of the airport facilities, and access to numerous career-oriented opportunities.

Five high school students, from Science Leadership Academy experienced aviation first-hand. With the partnership of the Experimental Aviation Association, all participants are now enrolled in an online ground school and will be eligible to apply for the prestigious Ray Aviation Scholarship.

Bibliography:

Airplane Owners’ and Pilots’ Organization. “High Schools.” Be a Pilot, More Fun, Lower Cost - You Can Fly. July 11, 2016. Accessed January 25, 2019. https://youcanfly.aopa.org/high-school. This source provides information on another aviation nonprofit organization’s efforts to attract youth to aviation. This organization admits that attracting young aviation professionals isn’t a competition, it is a collective effort by the aviation industry. This organization is working with educators to promote aviation topics to youth, by developing a STEM curriculum.

Camera, Lauren. “A Push for Aviation to Take Flight in Schools.” U.S. News & World Report. November 9, 2015. Accessed January 25, 2019. https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/11/09/new-push-to-get-kids-interested-in-aviation-jobs. Lauren Camera wrote this article to promote how important youth exposure is to the future of aviation. Camera states that clubs like the Future Farmers of America are successful in their purposes, and that there is an importance for a nationwide club that grants the youth of America to aviation, and promotes aviation as a realistic, prosperous career choice.

Experimental Aviation Association, comp. “Entire Publication.” EAA Pilot Update, November 26, 2018, 1. November 26, 2018. Accessed January 25, 2019. http://pages.eaa.org/index.php/email/emailWebview?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWWpFM01HRXdNMkptT0daaiIsInQiOiI2RHBYa3pnYUZFZ0RDb1hacklYeXJJQVlWUmM5eURvb2VyUDc1d1lPeUN3bW43NGVMRTBrb2FOc0JnV0ZYQmgwdGtubmdwUC8wd3NQYzRhQm9pSzMzWFBFeUdhUnlwa2ZwOG5qWGFpenBHbGZhMEZFUUY5Y05oRUg4cVg2V0dCLyJ9. This source is a sample of a newsletter that the Experimental Aviation Association publishes, and sends to its volunteers for events of similar nature to my capstone. I need to subscribe to this publication in order to remain up to date in order to have the latest and greatest of regulation information, so no one gets in trouble.

Experimental Aviation Association. “ICE (In Case of Emergency).” Experimental Aviation Association. Accessed January 25, 2019. https://www.eaa.org/-/media/Files/EAA/EducationResources/YouthEducation/YoungEagles/1507-ICE-v2-PDF.ashx. This source basically provides guidance for what to do if something unfortunate happens at an aviation event. There is a risk at my capstone being exercised, just like any other activity. Basically, this document tells its readers not to talk to the media, call the Federal Aviation Administration, and first aid. Media will push things out of proportion, in order to get people to watch it, so you have to be careful when the media tries to interview you.

Experimental Aviation Association. Young Eagles Pilot Guidelines. Oshkosh, WI: Experimental Aviation Association, 2018. https://www.eaa.org/-/media/Files/EAA/EducationResources/YouthEducation/YoungEagles/1602REV-YE-Pilot-Guidelines.ashx This 2-page brochure provides the basic guidelines that the volunteers at my event must follow in order for my event to be successful, and so that no one gets in trouble. This document is very short, yet it is all that is necessary, which is really beneficial for me, considering the simplicity of everything. The main ground rules for me is to make sure everyone passes a Youth Protection Check, that the pilots’ are safe and proficient, and to make sure parents sign off on the flight. All in all, this resource is going to be the document that rules the world for my event.

Garcia, Marisa. “A ‘Perfect Storm’ Pilot Shortage Threatens Global Aviation.” Forbes. July 29, 2018. Accessed January 22, 2019. https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisagarcia/2018/07/27/a-perfect-storm-pilot-shortage-threat ens-global-aviation-even-private-jets/#3163cc1b1549. Marisa Garcia, a retired professional in the aircraft manufacturing industry provides thoughts on the impending pilot shortage. Garcia claims that airline incentives are not enough to alleviate the blow the pilot shortage will have on the commercial aviation industry. Garcia openly supports greater incentives, including a loosening of hour restrictions for airline pilots, citing 250 hours as adequate to operate a commuter aircraft. Reasoning for the removal of the 250 hour requirement is provided, considering a Colgan Air accident that occured in the year of 2009. Garcia uses this to weigh insights on how to attract young pilots to aviation.

Gear 74. “Worldwide Pilot Shortage [2019] Is the Pilot Shortage Real?” YouTube. October 03, 2018. Accessed January 24, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5aE97LGgOw. A high-ranking Boeing 747 pilot shares his opinion on the pilot shortage on YouTube. He claims that the pilot shortage is caused by young pilots being underpaid about five years ago, which was misleading, considering the training requirements needed to become a professional pilots are so high. The pilot suggested that entry-level airlines have increased first-year salaries, and have increased signing bonuses tremendously, in order to attract younger pilots, and encourage them to continue throughout their training.

Kotwicki, Jon. “Solving the Pilot Shortage…” YouTube. January 03, 2019. Accessed January 23, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90ksy53JJ84. Jon Kotwicki: a world-renowned flight instructor, flight instructor, and successful entrepreneur details his experience at Lufthansa Aviation Training, in Goodyear, Arizona. While this video touches on solving the pilot shortage, its main purposes seems to be advertising for Lufthansa. Kotwicki himself said that he went to apply for a job there in the video. However, Kotwicki did detail that Lufthansa hires people off of the streets, and gives them a full scholarship so they can fly for Lufthansa to alleviate the pilot shortage in Germany. This reminds me of the U.S. Naval Academy. If I were to grow my capstone organization out, I might consider giving a scholarship to young pilots who are legitimately interested in aviation.

Nickerson, Dana. “Can Grassroots Flying Solve The Pilot Shortage?” AVweb. January 03, 2019. Accessed January 24, 2019. https://www.avweb.com/blogs/insider/Can-Grass-Roots-Flying-Solve-the-Pilot-Shortage-232078-1.html. Dana Nickerson, a recreational pilot recalls the differences of what it meant to learn to fly back then, and how it’s different now. Nickerson stated that pre-9/11, students would gather at local grassroots airports and fly ultralight aircraft, such as hang gliders and airplanes with very small engines. It used to be accessible to anyone whom wanted to learn, and was willing to help the operation. Nowadays, flight training is being controlled by expensive flight schools, that sit behind the fences and gates, that prevent people from feeling welcome to an airport.

Tulis, David. “Boeing Forecasts ‘unprecedented’ Pilot Demand.” Senate Addresses Maintenance Tech Shortage - AOPA. July 24, 2018. Accessed January 23, 2019. https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2018/july/24/boeing-forecasts-unprecede ed-pilot-demand. David Tulis, an independent, vintage aircraft pilot discusses Boeing’s efforts to help alleviate the effect the pilot shortage has on the industry. What Boeing highlights in their activities is that there is not only going to be a pilot shortage, but also a technician shortage, and that the industry needs both. This narrows the scope of my capstone to include discussion on more of the technical sector of aviation. What I disagree with is the venue of their efforts; an event known as EAA Airventure, the world’s largest aviation convention. The reason why young people attend Airventure is because they already are interested in aviation. Some inner city child won’t attend Airventure, considering they don’t have the interest in aviation (at least yet).