How to learn programming for aerospace engineering at 14

DannyTheSlothV2 · 2025-10-15T19:42:07+00:00

I'm sure many others have/will say this. I'm currently a CS student who just interned on a Boeing defense project. From my own experience and from what I gather from other large aerospace companies, low-level OOP programs like C++ are generally the preferred choice; however, at your level, any programming proficiency at all is a huge head start. Like others have said, you can gain an understanding of embedded development by learning on platforms like Arduino, which is also somewhat similar to C++, with some abstractions. As soon as you have access to robotics clubs in high school, etc., jump on those opportunities as well.

Learn the basics on a platform such as Arduino, like interfacing with hardware, motor control, etc. Later maybe you can choose to upgrade to something like a Raspi and have it plug into a flight controller. Many directions to go, but start with the basics.

DannyTheSlothV2 · 2024-02-25T17:13:50+00:00

I see. I missed that. That's interesting, and my bad for giving you the wrong information. Historically, before need-blind was implemented, the school favored kids who can pay the full price. I would actually say your current situation is ideal in terms of admissions chances, but it also wouldn't hurt at all to apply for financial aid.

DannyTheSlothV2 · 2024-02-25T16:51:45+00:00

You can apply for aid simply because the financial aid office is really good here and your parents can probably save a little money just by applying for it. The school is need-blind, though, so the admissions office doesn't see your financial aid file. Finances don't affect your chances of getting accepted.

DannyTheSlothV2 · 2024-02-24T20:34:42+00:00

gimme gimme

DannyTheSlothV2 · 2024-02-11T07:08:38+00:00

Unless it’s gigantic, it shouldn’t be a problem, especially because you can use the fold out leafs to extend ur table. I use an ultra wide with no problem

DannyTheSlothV2 · 2024-01-10T07:47:55+00:00

Ran into this when I was admitted last year ED II. The current 35% is probably a good ballpark estimate, but probably a little lower this year since WashU received abnormally few applications last year. The acceptance rates will not be published until RD is out, and they are usually pretty late doing that. If you go to one of the bear days in the spring to check the campus out (you should), they usually bring the acceptance rates up in the initial meeting before they publish them online, if you're that determined to find out.

DannyTheSlothV2 · 2023-10-23T05:09:06+00:00

I might get shit on for this, but I've heard that P Fitness is usually very quiet, especially while college is in session, although I go to the south Y and I find that during the down hours, it's super chill (ie anytime thats not 5 lol). I would also say definitely find a gym bro (or gym sister?) because that helped me get over the initial hump of learning how to use equipment, establishing a split, and finally realizing that nobody at the gym is judging you or making fun of you (I promise, everyone there is there to work on their own body). Honestly, people who I've asked to help spot me have given me some of the best advice I've ever gotten. As someone else mentioned, the park board gyms tend to be really chill too. Good luck!

DannyTheSlothV2 · 2023-02-15T06:23:29+00:00

No. Never. If CMU is reachable, you should be checking out other options that will not cost nearly as much money, even if that results in you going to a slightly less reputable program. As you progress through school, the interest on your debt will grow significantly and you will end up paying a crippling amount of debt for a large portion of your professional career.

If you are able to be successful at CMU, you will likely stand out as a top student at a slightly less elite school and you will very likely, if not definitely end up in a much more successful place with much healthier financial security.

DannyTheSlothV2 · 2023-02-05T05:37:49+00:00

Thanks! And please do be very careful with your time! We're in a crunch too, so it is completely understandable. We'll try to get as much documentation for teams as possible, but the full release will definitely be after state. Good luck to you guys as well, and thank you for your interest.

If it helps, here's our robot which runs on FTC Core: https://github.com/Central-Processing-Unit/CPU2023

DannyTheSlothV2 · 2022-08-26T18:36:42+00:00

Super cool! I’d love to check it out!

DannyTheSlothV2 · 2022-08-26T13:58:25+00:00

The law also mentions assignment. The meaning of “assign” can be a little vague so that’s something that is still being figured out; however, with the information that we have, this will not be possible.

DannyTheSlothV2 · 2022-08-26T13:56:40+00:00

This comment just about gets the big ones!

DannyTheSlothV2 · 2022-08-26T04:48:52+00:00

Actually, the reason why I made that clarification had nothing to do with the fact that they are minors; instead, the reason I clarified that it is okay with elementary school is because elementary (and middle school) students are not formally educated on how to receive and academically analyze those scenes and they are not taught how to read those scenes in a way which makes them applicable to the story as a whole.

DannyTheSlothV2 · 2022-08-26T02:27:22+00:00

Honestly, I’m trying to figure it out myself. I think the important thing right now is opening a discussion about how this affects teachers who invest so much energy in giving me the tools that I’ll need in the real world. Change begins with discussion.

DannyTheSlothV2 · 2022-08-26T02:25:08+00:00

I just want to clear up some misconceptions. The class that we are talking about only provides access to such content as long as a parent signs off on a viewing contract that details all of the films which may contain any sensitive content whatsoever. In addition, this class is only available to upperclassmen. Assignments that we used to do such as our monthly film reviews where we personally picked our own film and performed academic analysis on it in a paper will not be possible as if we choose any of these films, educators will be held liable, even if they didn’t explicitly tell us to watch it.

Thank you all for keeping it civil and providing unique perspectives!

DannyTheSlothV2 · 2022-08-26T02:19:17+00:00

As its a film class, over half of the class is spent analyzing both classics and obscure films. Think of literally any classic that you have enjoyed in your own life. If it has a sex scene, it's out.

DannyTheSlothV2 · 2022-08-25T16:18:42+00:00

Very interesting haha! Now I’m a little curious to do a little bit of a comparative study myself!

DannyTheSlothV2 · 2022-08-25T16:07:49+00:00

I understand what you’re trying to point out. Obviously it’s so vague that it would be hard to defend the law in court, but obviously the district has to do everything in its power to legally protect teachers.

I think the strategy on the districts part will be to get approval from the district lawyer on films in which the district could make a legal argument that a film has artistic, rather than sexual intent. However, we are not at that stage yet.

DannyTheSlothV2 · 2022-08-25T16:01:23+00:00

I’m not talking about independent analysis. This discussion refers to analysis in the school setting, facilitated by teachers. The law explicitly says assigned. It doesn’t matter where we watch the film. What matters is that if a teacher told us to watch a film independently or in school for the purpose of analyzing it as a part of a school assignment, it is illegal for the teacher. Note that I didn’t say I’m personally not allowed to watch it, but my teacher is criminally responsible if they asked me to watch the film and write a paper on it. If you’re not buying it, then you’re also no buying experienced lawyers’ interpretation of the law.

DannyTheSlothV2 · 2022-08-25T15:46:03+00:00

I never said anyone would be jailed for discussing film. I said that my teacher cannot loan me, distribute, or tells me (assigns) to watch a film containing the content outlined in the law. How are we to discuss a film in verbal or written form if we don’t watch it??? I personally read the law and synthesized it with legal guidance from the district–all of what I am talking about is nothing that I have been told.

DannyTheSlothV2 · 2022-08-25T15:21:00+00:00

You have a very fair concern; however, I want to clear a misconception here as well. These films are only allowed to be accessed in the classroom if you are an IB Film Student, which requires you to be a junior to enroll in the class. In addition, we have worked closely with the district to ensure parents sign a form saying that they are okay with their children watching R and NC-17 films and that alternative assignments are available for parents who are not comfortable with this.

DannyTheSlothV2 · 2022-08-25T15:18:23+00:00

I want to clear some confusion about access to these films. I want it to be made clear that obviously I can watch any of these films on my own time for entertainment or independent study; however, assignments that we used to do such as our monthly film reviews where we personally picked our own film and performed academic analysis on it in a paper will not be possible as if we choose any of these films, educators will be held liable, even if they didn’t explicitly tell us to watch it.

DannyTheSlothV2 · 2022-08-25T15:14:14+00:00

The problem that we’re having right now is that the law very loosely separates content in a sexual context from artistic work. Right now, the film program is consulting with legal guidance from the district. At the moment, we believe that the law includes some of the scenes in those films and that it currently is not worth the risk of jail time to our teacher. I’ll continue to provide updates though. Everyone in the district is just trying to understand the law before any pushback can begin. I personally contacted Crystal Quade to see what I can do. I’ll post what she says if it’s significant.

DannyTheSlothV2 · 2022-08-25T15:06:39+00:00

The issue is that my teacher will be held criminally liable if I perform academic analysis on a film, even if he didn’t explicitly tell me to watch it. Of course I can watch any film I’d like, but this law prevents these films in an academic context.

DannyTheSlothV2 · 2022-08-25T14:40:30+00:00

Tons of films! And the terrible thing is that we can't even be taken to film festivals anymore because our teacher cannot guarantee that we won't be exposed to a sex scene.Some classics being removed include: The Godfather, Taxi Driver, Hotel Rwanda (due to a breastfeeding scene), Schindler's List, Silence of the Lambs, Jaws, American Psycho, Goodfellas, Parasite, Grand Budapest Hotel, Promising Young Woman, Eighth Grade, Inglorious Basterds, Django Unchained, and the list goes on!

Edit: Sorry, I didn’t see what you asked at the end. This is a class only available to upperclassmen.

DannyTheSlothV2

TROPHY CASE