Sean Andreassen constructed a magnetic generator for his senior project to explore alternative energy sources. He has a passion for science and engineering and plans to major in Aerospace Engineering. The magnetic generator relies on the earth's natural magnetic field and changes in wiring as magnets pass over it. While the project was interesting, Sean learned he does not wish to pursue a career in alternative energy or deal with extensive wiring, but still recognizes the importance of alternative energy sources.

1. 1550 Owens Store Road
Canton, GA 30115
April 18, 2012
Judges, Senior Project
Creekview High School
1550 Owens Store Road
Canton, GA 30115
Dear Judges:
I am Sean Andreassen, and I have chosen to construct a magnetic generator for my senior
project. I have a passion for science and engineering, which has led me to take engineering and
architecture classes throughout high school, and will continue to propel me in the future as I
major in Aerospace Engineering at the Honors Program at Georgia Tech. My goal for this project
was to explore alternative energy sources. I am very interested in this topic, in particular because
it will shape a large part of my future. I know that this industry will become very large and I look
forward to seeing where it will go, especially now that I have constructed a magnetic generator.
I chose to construct a magnetic generator because it is a simple concept, and because it is by far
the most versatile of all alternative energy sources. Through my researched I explored many
different types of alternative energy and the effects that current energy sources have on the
planet. My project relies on the natural magnetic field of the earth to provide a constant field,
which changes for the wiring on my project as magnets pass over it. I chose this because of the
importance that this currently has, and I was stunned to find out facts such as coal being the most
unregulated source of mercury emissions in this country, yet it provides close to 90% of all
domestic energy needs.
The magnetic generator that I constructed relates to the field of engineering, and more
specifically with engineering dealing with alternative energy sources. While I find this field
interesting, I now know that I do not wish to pursue this career, and instead I have chosen
aerospace engineering. Also, there was a large amount of wiring that was involved in this
project, which involved studying plans, and continuous checks to verify that it works. I do not
have the skill or desire to master this, so I know that I do not want to deal with electrical aspects
of a project in the future. I enjoyed this project, but I know that I don’t have the patience to sit all
day trying to guess what is wrong with something that is in front of me that I cannot see working.
Overall though, this project was a good experience, and it has given me more knowledge of
myself and my aspirations for the future. I feel that even though I do not wish to study this,
alternative energy sources are very important to the future, and I will continue to follow this
while I am in school. Thank you for spending the time to review my project.
Sincerely,
Sean Andreassen