Hello Everyone I Am David
Welcome to my ePortfolio!
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Company/Organization
Internship Overview
Over the summer at the National Air and Space Musuem. My Internship locations included the two primary two locations for visitors: the Udvar Hazy Center near Dulles International Airport and the National Mall. I also worked at support facilities such as the Garber Restoration Facility in Prince George's County, Maryland. I was an exhibit production intern for the exhibits department. As an Intern in this department, my primary responsibility was 3D scanning artifacts and post-processing the 3D scans to be used later to create 3D model renderings of exhibits. In addition, I have completed CNC(Computer Numerical control) work and shop work. Some of the work that I completed was sanding, cleaning, and replacement of screws on the wall of honor panels, updating the exhibit signs, waterjet cutting of metal, and laser engraving of the wall of honor panels
Project Showcase
As an intern a key responsibility that reflects my contributions was post processing 3D scans. help in the post-processing of 3D scans and creating an inventory of them on the Smithsonian external network. Creating these 3D scans help determine how the artifacts will be placed in the exhibits and the exhibit cases, either through 3D renderings or by creating 3D-printed models. Also, having these models grants the ability to see how the artifact should be placed without messing with it, especially the delicate artifacts.
Reflection
How has this internship shaped your career goals?
This internship at the Air and Space Museum has significantly expanded my perspective on how engineering can intersect with history, preservation, and education. It confirmed my desire to work in aerospace engineering, but also deepened my interest in historic preservation and museum work. I now see a potential career path that combines both—contributing to the design of aircraft and also preserving their history. Working with professionals in museology and archival research helped me appreciate the technical and historical aspects of aerospace artifacts, and I hope to continue blending both fields during and after my engineering career.​
What new skills or knowledge did you gain through this experience?
During the internship, I gained practical skills in 3D printing, 3D modeling, and scanning, all of which are directly applicable to both engineering and museum work. I learned how these tools are used to prepare artifacts for display without physically handling them, which mirrors how engineers use CAD software to simulate and test designs before production. I also developed a deeper understanding of archival work, conservation techniques, and how to conduct historical research—skills that are essential for working in museums or in preservation roles.
