Rules of the Road

Rules of the Road

We've seen some extremely creative solutions to our Moustrap Racecar Challenge.

Much like our nation's tax system, there are some clever "exploits" (loopholes) available to sharp players. These aren't "wrong" for our game, just an opportunity for motivated Engineers to create a decisive advantage in the context of the current system.

Unlike our nation's bureaucracy, we have the advantage of being a lean, agile, design focused organization. We can rapidly collaborate to optimize our game design.

With an iteration of competition complete, what Criteria (rules) would you add to the Mousetrap Racecar Challenge to help "level" the playing field?

Generate a list of at least 3 ideas and be prepared to advocate at least one of them in our next class (Monday).

List:

1. Mousetrap must be intact to car in some sort of way.

2. Car must use about 20-35 parts for maximum efficiency.

3. Multiple people timimng the  acceleration to have a exact time.

Pumpkin Pandemonium

Energy Sources

1. Describe one thing that surprised you about the energy source that you researched and presented. What surprised me about my energy source is that there are many different types of ways that you can convert solar energy in to usable electricity.


2. Describe one thing that surprised you about an energy source that another team presented.  The one thing that surprised me was that from Joe and John’s presentation is that the U.S. has 3% of the world’s oil deposit and the rest has to be input.


3. Describe and defend what you believe to be the most important technological need regarding energy.  I think that electricity is the most important technological need, because we rely a lot on it because it powers our house and powers the stuff we really need.

The 2nd Annual Cardboard Canoe Challenge!

The 2nd Annual Cardboard Canoe Challenge!

We earned 11 achievements total

DESIGN ACHIEVEMENTS Define and Brainstorm the Design:
We need to create a boat made of completely cardboard and duct tape that will float in a body of water.
Brainstormed Ideas: Flat bottom, longer length, high walls, low walls, shorter length, v-shaped bottom, pointed front, angled front, pointed back, flat back, completely covered in duct tape, duct tape only covering cardboard exposed to water, wide bottom, narrow bottom, oars, pull with a rope, push with swimmers, paddle by yourself, one person in boat, two people in boat, lay down flat, sit up on butt, kneel in boat, stand in boat
Big Brain: I think I had the most brainstorm ideas WRITTEN DOWN; however, our whole team contributed to the entire brainstorm list
Criteria:

- Build a watercraft that allows you to traverse the CHS swimming pool.

- Your "boat" must float at least one student through the course of the competition.

- Protect your workspace from damage!

- Implied: Keep your workspace clean

Constraints:
- You may only use Cardboard and Duct Tape for this event.
- All Staples or other foreign material must be removed from your cardboard. If we trash the pool, we will not be invited back for other activities during the year (yes, we have other activities in mind for 2nd semester).
- Cardboard must meet our quality standard and be approved by the instructor (more info to follow)
- Each boat must have a minimum of a 3" tall "sidewall" (no completely flat designs).
- All exposed cardboard must be covered in duct tape (this will reduce cardboard disintigration in the pool).
- Each team will be provided one "versa table" cardboard box piece and two 60yrd rolls of duct tape. Any materials beyond this (likely need more cardboard) need to be resourced by your team.
- Implied: The boat must fit out of the doorway
- Implied: The boat must be able to be transported from the classroom to the pool
- Implied: The boat can not pose any threat to the students in or around the boat while it is in the water

SKETCH:
First Idea:

Second Idea:

Third (Final) Idea:

PROTOTYPES:

First Prototype:

- Flat Bottom

- Curved, pointed bow

- High Walls

Second Prototype:

- V-Shaped Bottom

- High Walls

- Short Length

Third (Final) Prototype:

- Flat Bottom

- Not so high of walls (easier paddling?)
- Rectangle with a pointed front (stable)
DESIGN SELECTION:
First Idea:
+ - flat bottom for stability
Change - High walls
? - What is the optimal boat length?
! - Shorten the walls and make it longer
Second Idea:
+ - V bottom for straightness
Change - High Walls
? - Should a flat bottom or v shaped bottom be used?
! - Use a flat bottom and shorten the walls and make it longer
Final Idea:
+ - Flat bottom and optimal length
Change - Final Idea- no need for a change
? - How should we propel the boat? (pulling or paddling)
! - Pulling could be faster and easier for the pilot to keep the boat stable
MATRIX:
First: short, high walls, flat bottom, one point in front, curved bow
Second: short, high walls, curved bottom, two points, looks a lot like a regular canoe
Third: longer (optimal lengthe between speed and handling), shorter walls, flat bottom, one point in front, point is slightly curved
We will use the third and final prototype for our cardboard boat.


BUILD ACHIEVEMENTS:
1. Build it!:
Finished Cardboard Boat

Cardboard Boat in the Water

TEST ACHIEVEMENTS:
1. The Fastest: We won the speed challenge
2. The Farthest: We won the distance challenge
3. The Longest: We won the time challenge
4. Videographer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcRkECo3AIM&feature=player_detailpage

The Deep Dive

1. “From the buildings in which we live and work, to the cars we drive, or the knives and forks with which we eat, everything we use was designed to create some sort of marriage between form and function.”
2. The folks at IDEO state that they are not experts in any given area. But, they do claim to be experts on the "They are the experts on the process to design stuff", which they apply to the innovation of consumer products.
3. After the team of designers is brought together, told the problem, and informed they have five days to “pull it off,” what phase of the design process do they immediately engage in?
The team splits into groups to brainstorm.
4. Give two examples of what the team members did during this phase.
a. The split into different groups and took pictures of shopping carts.
b. They asked questions with experts and users of shopping carts and the builders of them for details.
5. List five rules-of-thumb that IDEO employees follow when they share ideas during the brainstorming phase:
a. One conversation at a time
b. Stay focused on topic
c. Encourage wild ideas
d. Defer judgement
e. Encourage ideas of others
6. Why should wild (and sometimes crazy) ideas be entertained during the brainstorming phase?
It could give other people ideas and show another side of ideas. The wild idea could also maybe work. If they think about it, maybe this idea could work the best.
7. After the brainstorming phase was over, the team narrowed down the hundreds of ideas by using sticky notes for those ideas that were not only “cool” but also build able in a short period of time. What phase of the design process is this called?
8. IDEO believes that the ideas and efforts of a group will always be more successful than the planning of a lone genius.
9. Once the ideas were narrowed down and divided into categories, the group was split into four smaller teams. What phase(s) of the design process was each of these groups responsible for?
Model and build a prototype
10. The leaders at IDEO believe that playful behavior and a fun environment are two important reasons why their employees are able to think quickly and creatively to produce innovative results.
11. Sometimes, people come up with great solutions that work by trying their ideas first, and asking for opinions later.

12. Design is often a process of going too far and having to take a few steps back. What phase of the design process would the critique of the four mock-ups come under?
Refining and communicating results
13. Upon critique of the four teams’ models, it was obvious that none of the teams had developed an optimum solution. However, the people at IDEO believe that it is important to fail often in order to succeed sooner.
14. What percentage of the entire week’s time did it take to fabricate the final prototype?
About 14% of the week's time
15. Instead of showering his design team with a tremendous amount of praise, what did the boss require his employees to do with their new design?
Improve it
16. Of all the things that we are surrounded by every day, what has not been placed through the design process?
Nature
Conclusion
1. What did you find to be the most impressive part of the team’s effort?
It was interesting to watch the teams break off into groups and researched different aspects of the project at hand. This way they could accomplish multiple parts of research at one time.
2. What advantages are there to having a design team with members that have non-engineering backgrounds?
They all have different specialties so they can each contribute differently to the cause.
3. There was a point in the process where a self-appointed group of adults stepped up, stopped the ideas, and redirected the group to break up into teams. Why was this done?
They did this so they could get more research and ideas in a more timely fashion. This could also give the team the option to focus more on the smaller parts of the project.
4. At the end of the video, Dave Kelly states, “Look around. The only things that are not designed are the things we find in nature.” Can you think of anything that would contradict this statement?
Rivers are designed by nature to allow direct flow of water in the direction of gravity.

Design/Build

Jason and Joe make progress on their cardboard canoe build:


Meanwhile, Putnam and John make progress on testing a prototype:













? - Even though this team is already under way with the construction of their boat, how might the prototype support the construction of their project?

It can show what works on the boat and what the flaws are that can be improved.
? - How effective does their model appear to be? What useful information might the team discover with their test?

The model was not a scale model but it had some of the general characteristics such as a longer length, a pointed bow, and a flat bottom. With the test we can find what will work well and achieve the goals of the craft and what needs to be changed to meet our goals.

 

Emergency Preparedness!

 

Thursday's county wide blackout and Sunday's 10 year anniversary of September 11th are powerful reminders that large scale emergencies can happen without warning. As designers, we will consider ways that we can be better prepared for life's unexpected events. This activity serves as an opportunity to apply the PLTW 12-step design process that is part of our Engineering and Design curriculum.
Task:
Use the 12-step Design Process discussed in class to develop an Emergency Preparedness Plan. Define the problem, brainstorm solutions, create a prototype, generate user feedback and then readjust your solution.
Criteria:
Prepare a list of essential items your family would like to have on hand for an emergency situation.
You may collaborate with your classmates in developing your plan.
Each student will prepare their own list.
Constraints:
Items required for the plan/list must be affordable for your family.
Assignment: Emergency Preparedness Supply List (5pts)
Prepare and complete the following on a sheet of paper. Ensure your product is neat and legible:Define the Problem (1pt) - What types of emergency situations might you and your family need supplies for? List at least 3.Brainstorm Ideas (1pt) - List at least 20 ideas for supplies you could use for the given emergencies. Get input from at least one other student (list student next to any ideas they shared). Remember the rules of brainstorming is that there are no rules. Generate a Solution (1pt) - Given the constraints listed above, generate a list of supplies for you and your family.Solicit Feedback (1pt) - Get specific "+, delta, ? and !" feedback from your family. List who shared what input with you.Refine your Solution (1pt) - Adjust your plan based on your feedback. Cite a specific change based on each category of feedback (+, delta, ? and !).

The Problem: A family may need emergency supplies in situations such as earthquakes, tsunamis, blackouts, or major storms. This supplies list would be for extreme situations, such that individuals must fend for themselves.

Brainstorming Supplies:

-Flint

-Swiss Army Knife

-Nonperishable Food Items

-Water

- -Compass

-Map

-Clothing

-Boots

-Binoculars

-Whistle

-Car

-Gasoline (Joe Rodgers)

-Hydrogen Peroxide

-Band-Aids

Affordable List:

-Flint

-Swiss Army Knife

-Nonperishable Food Items

-Water

-Pot/Pan

-Compass

-Map

-Boots

-Binoculars

-Whistle

-Car

-Gasoline

-Hydrogen Peroxide

-Band-Aids

Generate a Solution:

+ (positive)
-Thorough and specific list (Mom/Dad)

Δ (what to change)
ADD:
-Duct Tape (Dad)
-Batteries (Mom)
-Radio (Dad)
-Cooler (Mom)
-Blanket (Dad)
-Tarp (Mom)
-Small generator (Dad)
-Hunting knife(Dad)
-Matches(Dad)

? (questions presented during the discussion)
Mom - None
Mom - Is this too much to be able to carry? (functionality)
Dad - Are we trying to stay alive or move? (purpose)
Dad - How long do we have to acquire these supplies?
Mom - How long does this situation occur for? Indefinite?

! (ideas to add/take off supplies)
-Pistol and Ammunition take off (Mom)... Doesn't know enough about guns to want to use them
-Take the truck instead of the car (Mom & Dad)... 4x4 - Bigger and can carry more-Substitute first aid kit for some individual first aid items (Dad)
-I would take the pistol and ammunition (Mom)

Refine the Solution:
-Flint
-Nonperishable Food Items
-Water
-Pot/Pan
-Compass
-Map

-Radio (Mom)

Mosue Trap Racecar

We've learned about a number of simple machines in the Principles of Engineering courses. A common theme amongst these devices is the concept of using mechanical advantage to trade force for distance or distance for force. How can we use this trade off in context in the classroom?
For this challenge you and a team mate will design, build and compete with a Mousetrap racecar. Specifically, you will use a third class lever and a wheel and axle simple machine to prototype a race vehicle.




Design, build and compete with a Mousetrap Racecar (A "car" uses at least two axles).
Maintain a clean workspace.
Constraints:
One mousetrap
No more than 12" of masking tape
Fischertechnique robotics parts
No more than 24" of string
You must work through the stages of the event (see Achievements below)
Additional materials by Instructor approval

Criteria:

We earned 12 ACHIEVEMENTS They are:

Brainiac: two axles, heavy, mouse trap OFF of car, mousetrap tied to black base, racecar launched from mousetrap lever, four wheels, lots of parts used, most weight in the back, traction made by black plastic wheels, focuses on weight of the car to drive it farther

Visualize It:

Build It:

The Price of Glory: It's worth $44 (44 parts)

Competitor: We competed in the race

Going the Mile: We had the second farthest distance

Heavy Foot: We had the second fastest acceleration

Feedback

+

-it gets good acceleration and distance

-it rides completely straight

-friction is the only thing working against the car (no strings to brake it)

change

-make it lighter for longer distance

?

-How can you keep the car completely on the ground upon launch?

!

-make it heavier to weigh it down so all wheels stay on ground

Re-Work

-add rubber-bands to the wheels for more grip on the classroom floor

Game Changer

-ALL wheels must stay in contact with surface being raced upon

-spending money ($1 per part) must be between 10-25 parts

Name It

-Led foot can become "Cheetah Speed"

-Heavy foot can become "Lion Speed"

Leave it Cleaner than you Found it:

Our car was completely disassembled and properly stored in the correct boxes of the parts. No leftover parts, scraps, or trash were left at our station.

Design/Build: A Design/Build process is the cycle of how solutions are designed and built. This process includes consulting, analyzing, building and financing, planning of building, and building management and delivery. This cycle is constantly repeated until the product is near perfection. How did your experience with this challenge relate to that? This challenge required consulting with teammates, analyzing possible building techniques, planning of building the racecar, actually building the racecar, and then fine-tuning your product to produce the greatest results. This process is needed and utilized in every technical innovation career. Engineers must think of how to solve the problem and then constantly revise their first idea for maximum potential.

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=lacrosse&um=1&hl=en&safe=active&sa=N&tbm=isch&tbnid=75SSGjzkcGcwDM:&imgrefurl=http://easypartytravel.info/&docid=dFGpCR3xP57-NM&w=594&h=470&ei=y59vTpnCN4nliALs0uzYBg&zoom=1&biw=1366&bih=571&iact=rc&dur=438&page=1&tbnh=138&tbnw=174&start=0&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0&tx=104&ty=71&surl=1
I put a picture of lacrosse because that is the sport I'm interested in.

First Post

First day starting to blog!!