Sarah Schrass
39-245 Portfolio
Design Games
January 16
Through these design games, I gained the ability to be more outgoing. Icebreakers open people up to each other. They may seem corny from the outside, but once one gets involved, they enjoy it. I was amazed how comfortable I felt around the other students by the end of the class. The stereotypes I held from first glances diminished and I think that I was less intimidated by others whom I would have been afraid to talk to otherwise.
Toy Disection
January 18
During this class, I learned how different toys work. It was surprising to me that many of the toys used simple machines to work. Some of the toys seemed very complex, but the system that controlled it was not. Other toys that appeared simple were not always as simple as they appeared. I learned how many different mechanisms can be put together to create working machines. Looking back, I thinki that these would be very easy to create using rapid protyping.
MBTI( personality test)
I had taken the MBTI test previously, and I was not surprised by the outcome of the test. I had been fluctuating between two personality types. Ilearned how the different types act in group situations. My type was supposed to be idea generators, while the opposite was supposed to try to tie everything together to make a final decision. I was sure that I was not my type at least in a group setting because I hate generating ideas. Once a decision is made, I like to organize the action plans and to distribute the work. I learned that the test is not always accurate and that I know myself better than a test would. I'm sure that in some instances my personality type would be accurate in predicting how I would act. This just isn't the case for group work.
Project 1
January 23 - February 1
In this project, I learned how to design something acording to certain requirements. The toy was supposed to attract a child's attention, be interactive and fun, be self explanatory, be durable and safe, allow for cooperative play with groups of children, and engage all of the child's sense. In order to do this, I brainstormed, thinking about all the toys I really enjoyed as a child. I then try to figure out how I could include a physical principle in the toy. I think the hardest part of the project was figuring out the cost of production because I don't know how to produce the toy in the first place. Through the presntation, I learned that I am not very good at standing still. I think that is because I was nervous. I think if I had prepared my speech better, I would have been more confident in my approach. Looking back at project 1, I think that I would be able to produce beter ideas, because I have learned much about children through this class. I also think that I would create toys that could be developed easily using rapid prototyping. The toys I created were too big or too complicated to be manufactured using these techniques.
Essay Assignment
February 2
In this assignment, I wasn't very sure how the design process worked. I thought aout how I would run the process and the steps that I would take. The process I discussed is very similar to that which we later discussed in class. This shows that critical thinking can be very effective. Although I thought I knew nothing about the subject, my experience in other group situations, as well as my common sense helped me to figure out a proper technique.
May 3
I was much more comfortable writing the second essay. Through this class I learned a lot about the design process and team work. I think this essay demonstartes this skills I learned. Although Iused some ideas similar to my first essay. I wrote an entirely different essay because I thought it would be better than rewriting my first essay.
Design and Build Exercise
February 1 & 6
Design: I think that the design part of this assignment was very difficult. We did not want to deplete our resources by rolling the papers and using the tape, but we needed to determine how to build the structure. I think that we would have been wiser had we built prototypes of the structure. A poor quality in our design was that we designed a rectangular shaped structure instead of a triangular shaped one. I thought that a triangular one would stand better, but I did not voice my opinion loudly enough. I think that I need to present my ideas in a more forceful manner.
Our Design (Not built to specs)
Build: The building part of this assignment was more fun than the design part. It required less thinking. A major complication was that the design we were building could not withstand lateral loads. There were no components to stop tortional movement of the structure. We added side brace inorder to keep the structure standing. The process of modifying a structure is much simpler that creating an entire sturucture because there is a certain problem area that one must focus on. Perhaps, in the design phase, the different team members should focus on specific parts of the design.
Our Construction
Exercise 1- Role Mole
February 13
In this exercise, there were many possibilities for design. Many students built their design into human attire, such as: ties, hats, belts. I tried to stay away from using articles of clothing. I guess that I just designed a new article, the arm band. I learned how to sew. It was fun making my idea because in most classes, we formulate ideas, but never implement them. Through this exercise, I learned that a simple concept may take a while to put into action. It took me much longer than I had expected to build my design. My design also didn't end up as nicely as I had wanted it. I didn't have the best colored material. I learned that if I want a satisfactory design I should start earlier and know what stores to visit to find what I need.
My Role Mole Design
Stupid Consumer Product
February 15
The main point of this was to learn how to conduct a meeting. We each were assigned a different role. I think that this made the meeting run smoother than it would have in other contexts. The fact that we had to come up with stupid ideas made each of the group members more apt to talk. Usually people are afraid to bring up ideas because they think they are stupid, but in this case, they had to be stupid. Our final product was Presidential Patties, burgers in the shape of presidents heads. We thought that this Idea was very funny, but stupid which is why we finally decided upon the idea.
click here to view brainstorm and drawings
Project 2
Group Report on Manufacturing Processes
February 15
Once groups were made, our group set right to action with our first meeting. I think that we were very efficient. We each read the explanation of the project. we then decided to divided the manufacturing processes between the 4 of us to do research on. We then scheduled our next meeting. Each of us was to bring a report to the meeting about our manufacturing processes.
February 19
Not all of our members showed up to the meeting. But we were able to decide what the optimum process of manufacturing was because other members of my group understood the processes that we did not have information on. In order to build shaft 1 we thought that CNC would be the best process. I learned that group work is very good when I'm not to sure about the subject. Other members of the group helped me to understand the processes better.
February 22
After negotiation in class, our group got the injection molding process
February 27
We emailed Mike to help us understand the process of injection molding. I was amazed at how helpful he was. It has encouraged me to seek help in the future. I usually like to try to learn things on my own because I don't want to bother people who know more than I do on the subject, but now I know that was foolish. I realize now that people want to share their knowledge with us. We scheduled a meeting with Mike.
February 28
We learned during our meeting that the actual process of injection molding requires that we cast a mold. This would require CNC machining. We would not be able to machine the mold in the time restraints provided to us. Instead we used FDM to produce our part.
picture of final assembly of all parts
Iron-CAD Labs
I learned how to create machined pieces using Iron-CAD. I also realized that the software is pretty hard to use. I got very frustrated and I don't think I would use this software if I didn't have to. I would have liked it better if it would be more straight forward. Searching through menus to find certain functions can get very confusing. I wouls rather use a ruler and paper to draw that this application.
Exercise 2
Cardboard Six Pack Holder
March 15
I created a basket type can holder. I learned how to manipulate cardboard with and exacto knife. I made corners for the basket and experimented with different connection pieces. I first created a rough prototype, and experiment with the conection pieces to determine which were the most effective. I then destructed the prototype by gradually cutting pieces away from the structure to reduce total area used. This method was very effective because I was able to test many different parts of the basket without destorying the actual basket. This takes a fair amount of time, but it yielded a good design. Many of the other students created designs that used much less cardboard. They were able to think outside of what exists now. I find that for many of my projects I merely redesign something that has already been made. I would like to have the ability to think outside of that realm.
my basket
Egg Drop
April 5
We tried to spend as little money as possible in our design. We created a cone shape holder to protect the egg. we expected that the poited end of the cone would hit first and then smash, but protect the egg. We were wrong: the heavier end of the cone hit the ground first, (as we should have expected.) I thikn a better method would have been to make a parachute. the egg would probably not have broken, but may not have been very close to the target. I learned that eggs need to be cusioned when they fall. If I were to extend to think in everyday terms I would have known that easily, but I trusted my team members. Although at first I had suggested a parachute, I was pretty confident in our design. Once again, I underestimated my own intelligence. I need to speak up and be more forceful when I think I have a good idea.
The confident team
failure!
Green Acres
April 12
I made a very stupid decision in this exercise. I chose to use a rigid cardboard structure, similar to the one used in the egg drop. I hoped that the shock from the drop would be totally absorbed by the out box and would not be felt in the inner casing. I should have tested my design, but I had put so much effort into it that I didn't want to put in any more effort if it were to fail. This was also a bad decision. I should have built prototypes before hand to protect one egg being dropped and then chosen the best method to produce a full scale model. I need to remember what I have learned in the past in everything that I do. I also need to use my common sense.
the egg holder
Project 3
Outreach Activity for Engineering Education
brief description of our project
First In-Class Testing of Prototypes
Many people really liked our project. There wasn't much criticism and therefore, we couldn't make many improvements on our project. In trying out other people's projects, some I liked and some I didn't. If a group was all of the same gender, they tended to have activities that were more interesting to their own sex. It also seemed like many of the groups did not involve that much engineering in their projects. They children could learn, but would not be pushed into the engineering or science field because of it.
Sequence of Prototypes
Our project generally remained the same over time. The one change we made was on the spinner for the record, we decided that it should be the rapidprototyped part. We wanted to give each child the spinner, but they take 5 hours to make, which adds up to 150 hours for 30 parts. That was unreasonable so we made one part foe dmonstration puposes and the children will use pencils for theirs.
Testing with Children
I learned that children comprehend ideas when they concrete examples. Visual examples make a lot of sense. They also are more interested in what you are teaching if you relate it to something they are interested in, like their favorite band. They also have very short attention spans and one activity will only captivate them for a short period of time. We decided that 3 activities will break up the time better and they will be more apt to learn.
Final In-Class Presentations
I learned that I can get my ideas across easier in an informal setting than a formal setting. It seemed like most of the people learned similar things about the kids.
Poster
We used Adobe Photoshop to design the poster. This way we can look at the design before it is finished. We will print out a large copy and it will look very professional. I learned about Adobe Photoshop and some different things it can produce.
Design/Build - Take 2
May 1
We realized that a triangular type structure was the most effective and our group therefor created our design very easily. We divided the task of writing directions into 4 parts and compiled them in the end. This was very time efficient and resulted in very precise directions that were easy for the build team to follow. I learned that it is more effective to split the work among team members than to do the work together.
In building I learned that it is a good idea to follow directions. Although they may seem a bit extreme, ( a structure that nearly touches the cieling) they probably are correct. We should have realized that the people needed a very large structure, and since thier structure was too big to build, we could have changed the design while keeping the volume. We made the legs too sort and therefore the people didn't fit.
Self-Critiques
I think that this process is very helpful because I can see exactly what I am doing wrong, and how I can be more effective in my presentations. I have been trying to be more professional in my presentations and motion less.
Making Web Pages
I have discovered the joys of making webpages in this class. Before this class, I never published a webpage. What you have seen through out this portfolio is a demonstration of what I have learned.
Making Presentations
I learned that my presentations were much better when I was prepared. It is very hard to be professional in front of a group of my peers.
Watching other people's Presentations
It seemed like most of my classmates had a unique speaking style and no matter how many faults they had, they were never able to change their style. They seemed to fall into the same pits they had in the past.
Jornada Experiment
I learned that the software for the jornada interaction needs to be improved. Communication woiuld have been much easier had the group been able to talk. I think that talking is much faster than typing and is a beter form of comunication. Email is just as effective as the jornada.
My Portfolio
In reviewing my portfolio and reflecting on this semester, I realize that I learned a lot about group work, and effective group strategies. My Social Psychology class taught me a lot about group dynamics, and I am able to apply this to working in groups. I learned that I need to speak up and take charge. If I am not leading a group, I feel like what I say doesn't matter. I like being in charge because people listen to me more.
Meeting of the Minds
May 10, 2001
We had our final presentaion of our last project at Meeting of the Minds. I found myself comparing my project to other students' and and made the following observations. Some projects drew more attention. These seemed to be the ones that were more creative. The one that made Gak or some kind of sticky goo was the most visited. I think that this is because everyone likes to mix things together and create something cool. Our project definitely was not as cool, but I think that it did a good job at teaching sound. It will probably be able to captivate 30 students for a class period. It seemed like some of the projects would only be able to accomodate up to 5 students at a time. What will they do with the other kids while they wait?? Overall, I learned that people are most interested in things that are out of the ordinary. They aren't as interested in activities that are very basic. I think that or project woud have been more interesting if we have done something more creative.
last edited May 11, 2001