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What I have done: |
What I have learned: |
| In Class Activities |
- Toy
Dissection
- Toy
Dissection Results
- Toy
Dissection Explanations
- Newspaper Structures - Design
and Build Exercise
- Egg
Drop Activity
Egg Drop Results
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- From the Toy
Dissection, I became much more aware of the different materials that toys
are made from. I now look at objects and not only see their outer
appearance, but look to see how they work.
- The Newspaper
Construction was an interesting one because, although we had a good idea,
it took us way too long to arrive at that conclusion. Thus we ran
out of time while trying to write down the directions for the other group
that was to build the structure. The team that tried to build ours
had some difficulty with our directions and basically built our structure
without regard to the instructions. Let’s just say it didn’t fit
our design intention at all. Building the other group's structure
was fairly easy, but it started to twist so we put guide wires on for
support. This project really showed me the importance of expressing
your thoughts clearly on paper, especially when it comes to having someone
else build something they have never seen before. Also it shows me
that I need to be more focused when I am working in a group situation and
try to contribute more and keep the group moving forward.
- The Egg Drop was an interesting activity since we were limited to
the amount of materials we could purchase and the materials
available. We tried to go with an air bag approach (similar to
those found in packing), but without the proper materials ours failed
miserably. Zip lock bags just don't hold air as well as those
that are vacuum sealed. The zip locks leaked air. Some of
the best designs can be seen on the Egg Drop Results link to the
left.
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| Exercises |
- Exercise
1 – Role Mole
- Exercise
2 - Garfield
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- The Role Mole exercise
showed me that there is always more than one way to solve a problem.
I had several different ideas before settling on my final model. I
thought about a bow tie with glasses in it, but didn’t have the
necessary material for it. I was thinking about something attached
to the wrist, but rejected that idea because it would have had to be big
and bulky. This exercise allowed me to be resourceful and creative.
I made a bag patterned after the “in” messenger bags like those at ebags.com.
The idea was that you could wear it like a bag but it would be out of your
way and still easily accessible. In my presentation of this idea, I
also mentioned that if role mole had a cell phone, he could have an
additional pocket added on later for that or any other small ideas he
wanted with him on his date.
- The Garfield Exercise showed me that what is being used in the
market might not necessarily be the most efficient way to carry
cans. Several students in my class came up with designs that
were just a strip or a single piece of cardboard. I realized how
important it can be to try and think outside of the box when trying to
redesign some object.
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| Projects |
- Project
1 – Toy
Concepts
- Bottle
Teaser
- Mission
Possible Set
- Modified
Pool
- Project
2 – Manufactured Assembly
- SDM report
- Handle
- Redesign
Part Files
- Project
3 - Engineering Outreach Activity
- Our
Proposal
- Our
Updated Proposal
- Meeting
of the Minds
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- Project 1 allowed me to
use some creativity and engineering to design three different toys for
various ages. Also, through
this project I learned how to make web pages! From watching the video of
my presentation, I realized that I needed to be more prepared and relaxed.
I tended to play with my hands, which can be distracting.
I also need to speak a little bit louder and slower.
When I get nervous, I tend to talk faster.
- The Bottle Teaser is a mind teaser that I saw at the Museum Store in
Tower City (Cleveland, OH) when I was home over break.
This teaser makes you “think outside of the box.”
- My Mission Possible Set is based on the Science Olympiad Event that one
of my friends in high school used to do. It allows a child’s imagination and creativity to come out
during playtime.
- The Modified Pool is just that – a version of pool for younger players
who are don’t have the coordination to play with a pool stick yet.
- We are almost done with Project 2. So far I have learned how difficult it is to even get 3
people together on a Saturday afternoon to meet. I was one of three
people in my class to redesign the parts in Iron Cad. I spent
about 10 hours drawing and resizing the parts. Now, that those
have been completed the next step is to send the part files (in the
appropriate form) to the FDM machine. I have yet to
present for this project, but I am doing the next presentation so I should
have more about what I learned then.
- We are now in the middle of Project 3. Our group is having
students make their own barometer to help them understand how pressure
works and affects the environment that we live in. We are trying
to show them that by paying attention to the level in the barometer,
they can predict the weather!
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