2014 NSBE Aerospace Systems Conference

1. 2014 NSBE Aerospace Systems Conference Technical Paper Step-by Step Guide Complete actions in GREEN in Microsoft Word or PowerPoint as appropriate

2. Step OneDeclare Intent This step can be completed in one sitting

3. Select Idea for Paper • Suggestions • Technical project you are working on now (work or Space SIG) • Topic you wrote emails back and forth to more than one colleague about in the last week • A project you have to present a status on at work • The longest OR most interesting OR most rewarding project you have worked on in the last 2-12 months • Another project of extreme interest to you • Choose topic and write title or 1 phrase description now

4. Determine Audience • Identify your audience – why are you writing to them? What do they gain from this paper or how does it affect them? • For a peer scientist/engineer to verify your methods, results • To document a new development/process/design • To share an application for others to benefit from • To convince peers or management to adopt a recommendation • Write a one-sentence description of your audience and why you are writing to them

5. What Do You Expect to Share? • Types of papers • A research paper - culmination and final product of an involved process of research, critical thinking, source evaluation, organization, and composition • Analytical or argumentative research • Goal: argumentative research paper is persuasion, which means the topic chosen should be debatable or controversial • Goal: analytical asks a question on which author has taken no stance. Paper is often an exercise in exploration and evaluation • Practical applications paper • Cutting-edge technical paper • Experimental, comparative, design, or theoretical paper • Write a short description (5-7 sentence) summarizing the content you anticipate writing in the paper

6. Create an Outline • Based on statements in Word document, create a 2-level outline of your paper with elements as follows • Each roman numeral should have at least an A and B • Introduction of topic and purpose • Topic Description • Purpose for Sharing with Audience • History / background / context • Research methods / data analysis / design process (may have multiple instances of this section for each subtopic) • Results / findings • Conclusions / recommendations • References / Works cited

7. Create a Short Abstract • Using previous items as a guide, compose a 100-150 word abstract • Begin by turning outline into a paragraph • Incorporate any details from the 5-7 sentence short description not captured in the outline • Stay within 100 (min) to 150 (max) word count • Modify the phrase from slide 2 into a coherent title if not already done

8. Select ASC Paper Track • Review track descriptions and call for papers at http://www.nsbe-asc2014.org/index.php/technical-program/technical-paper-tracks • Identify and write down track that best matches your paper • Do not be overly concerned if paper overlaps multiple tracks; conference organizers will adjust track assignments if necessary • Save Word file

9. Create Paper Submission Account • Go to https://cmt.research.microsoft.com/ASC2014 • Login (if already have account) or click “Sign up here” • Complete registration questions / data entry • Once logged into system, click “Create a new Paper Submission” • Select track • Enter title and abstract information based on text generated in slide 6 • Upload Word File in File Upload section • Complete remaining questions and Submit

10. Step Two Compose Extended Abstract Depending on personal speed, this step may require several weeks to complete

11. Begin Researching Topic Area • Compile relevant reports/documents from work or online searches (expected works cited / reference material) • Determine design / experiment / computational / etc. work you will need to perform

12. Revise and Expand Outline • Incorporate insights gained from initial research • Expand outline to 4-6 levels of detail

13. Prepare Word File • Download ASC Technical Paper template from http://www.nsbe-asc2014.org/index.php/technical-program/technical-paper-tracks • Rename template with the name of your paper. This is the file you will use for your extended abstract. • Incorporate outline into paper, with top level outline elements as Section Headings

14. Continue Research / Data Analysis / Design • Complete a first pass, addressing all sections of paper • Take notes directly into relevant section of paper • Use proper quotations/citations when using another’s work • Be VERY careful to also add reference in References section • As notes are added, convert notes and lower level outline into paragraphs

15. Complete Extended Abstract • Assess grammar, flow, and content in paper as research continues • Extended abstract is complete when paper is approximately 2 pages (>1000 words) and coherently written • Each section should be roughly 1/4 to 1/3 the length the section will be in the full paper • Log into paper submission portal and replace uploaded outline with 2 page extended abstract

16. Step Three Complete Draft of Full Paper Depending on personal speed, this step may require several weeks to complete

17. Assess Feedback • Receive comments from ASC peer-review • Discuss with Track Chair any comments requiring further clarification • Ask for assistance for any difficult-to-implement comments • Incorporate feedback to paper and/or continuing research

18. Complete and Submit Draft Paper • Complete research / data analysis / design • Add new information to extended abstract to complete paper (5-6 page length) • Browse other aerospace proceedings (AIAA, IEEE, NSBE ASC) if available to compare against your paper • Proofread paper • Use spellcheck and grammar check • Also read for errors Word cannot detect • Complete any company/agency review or clearance to release paper to conference • Upload paper to paper submission portal

19. Step FourPrepare Final Submission and Presentation Depending on personal speed, this step may require 1-2 weeks to complete

20. Finalize Paper • Address / incorporate feedback from ASC peer review • Upload final, camera-ready paper to paper submission portal • Use outline and final paper to create a 20-minute PowerPoint presentation • Upload presentation to paper submission portal

21. ASC Technical Paper Vision Increase the visibility of our best African American engineers via peer reviewed paper presentations, published conference proceedings, and paper awards Alter the worldview of African American aerospace industry professionals via the unprecedented gathering of diverse technical talent

22. National Society of Black EngineersAerospace Systems Conference“Blazing a Trail” January 22-25, 2014 Los Angeles, CA