"Party Forever 2013"

Congrats 2013! What a great year (3 years for some!!!) :)

"Earn This"

I've been trying to share some thoughts with the seniors this week. Mr. Tanaka's speech brilliantly captured the spirit of what I was trying to get at... Had I known this was the talk he was giving I would have adjusted my approach as "what he said" :)

"Fail Early, Fail Often..."

Mr Mueller didn't actually use those words but that was the theme. Pretty inspired to hear his thoughts align so well with our design ethos :)

2nd and 3rd Period Final!

Greetings Engineers,

Here is a final engineering design challenge to wrap the year up with a bang!

You have the next two hours to exercise your creative and technical skills on this problem.


Challenge: Many members of the CHS Senior class will be heading off to college in the fall. Once at school, bicycles will be the primary mode of transportation for most. Student housing is often cramped. How can students store their bike inside without impacting their and their roommates living space?





Design a Bicycle storage system that allows a student to keep their bike indoors without taking up major space in their living areas.

Utilize the design process we've learned this year to generate a solution to this problem.


Post the following to your online portfolio (9 points):

-Define the Problem (1pt)
-Brainstorm Solutions (1pt)
-Define Criteria and Constraints (1pts)
-Generate Sketches (3 options with labels) (1pt)
-Select an Approach: Use a Decision Matrix to justify your approach (1pt)
-Model your solution with CAD software: Post an Isometric view of your assembly and a multiview drawing. (3pts)
-Use the 4 Quadrant Feedback technique to assess your model (1pt)

6th Period!

6th period always marches to their own drum so we had a spontaneous choice of a different location for our class photo. Thanks for a great year!

5th Period!

What a class! Thanks :)

4th Period!

Legends! Thanks for the many years of participation :)

3rd Period!

What a year, thanks!

2nd Period!

Thanks for a great year!

Toy Train CAD Project

My Engineering Design classes are going deep on our CAD Train project. There are some fantastic videos available on Youtube to help you complete the work.

This one has been receiving universal praise in class as being very helpful. Click through to Youtube to find more from this user:

Party Time!

2nd Period has organized more parties than any other class I've had. Today was an ice cream party!

Your Online Portfolios...

AP Computer Science

In case you hadn't heard, I am teaching AP Computer Science next year. "Computer Science" is kind of a fancy name for programming. Make sure you sign up if you'd like to have some neat skills for the interactive future!

Good Luck APers!

Lots of AP tests going on. Here we have Putnam, Jason, Kacie and Conner about to head over to AP Physics :)

"College Ready"? How about "Innovation Ready"?

Our class operates differently than many others. There is a method to our madness! If you'd like to get a third party perspective on why we do things the way we do, you can read this article here. :)

Architecture Capstone Project: Prototype - Architectural Model!

*****All Work Must Be Documented on your Online Portfolio*****


Step 1: Define the scope of your architectural model

• What does "scope" mean in the context of designing/building a project? Document the definition (1pt)
• Given your materials, ability and design, what portion of it are you going to physically model?
• Document the scope of what you plan to build (Important for your instructor score below) (1 pt)

Step 2: Construct your Architectural Model

• Safety first! Document 3 techniques from our 'How to Cut Like an Architect' video (below) in action (you could take photos of the techniques in action and describe them) (1pt)
• Choose a scale for your design. The scale should be large enough to show off your work but not too large so that you don't run out of material. Document this scale in your write up and on your architectural model its self. (1 pt)

Step 3: Feedback

• Client Feedback (3 points):
• Engage with your client (show them your model) and solicit feedback (+, delta, ?, !). Record at least 3 pieces of positive feedback (+) and 3 pieces of change feedback (delta). 
• Instructor Feedback (3 points):
• Did you complete the model according to the scope of the project that was agreed upon? Does your model have a polished appearance?
• Student Feedback (? points):
• Gallery Walk!
• Students will vote via colored post it note for the best build in the following categories (leave a short comment on your note to justify your choice). You may not vote for your own:
• Pink Post-it: Creativity in Construction
• Orange Post-it: Attention to Detail (quality of fabrication: cutting, glueing, etc.)
• Yellow Post-it: Proportion (is there a scale specified and does your model maintain consistency with that scale?)
• Blue Post-it: Best in Show (your subjective choice for a favorite model)
• Document any feedback your design receives during our gallery walk.

How to Cut Like an Architect!

Smaller than an Altoids Box?!

A couple of teams have come up with designs for the egg drop challenge that have earned the top size based Achievement. Nice work (that is if your egg can survive!):

Robo Challenges!

Two teams from 5th Period have completed the elevator design/build effort. It's straightforward to program the elevator for the top and the bottom floor (always go up or always go down). How do you set it up for a middle floor? That makes for interesting programming :)

Machine Control (Robotics!) Capstone Challenge 2013!!!

Welcome to our Principles of Engineering Machine Control (Robotics!) Capstone Project for the 2012-2013 school year. This is an exciting opportunity to work with your partners to develop a unique solution to an open-ended problem.

You will earn "Achievements" based on both the process you apply and the product you build. The team that earns the most "Achievements" wins!

This project is worth 7 points per week we spend on it and is capped at a maximum of 25 points. The top team will earn 100%. The second place team will earn a 92%. The third place team will earn an 89% and the fourth team will earn 85%.


Process Achievements:

Organize it!: Title your post and organize it by section in a logical manner.

Brainstorm!: Provide at least four of your team’s brainstorming ideas for the design solution. This should include brainstorming sketches. Each sketch should include labels and descriptions for communication.

CAD!:
Use our Inventor CAD software to model a prototype or your final design. Post screenshots of your model.

Enter the Matrix: Evaluate your solution ideas (4 minimum) using a decision matrix. Determine the best solution to the problem. Explain your rating system and share insight on why you rated your solutions as you did.

Design Solution: Create a detailed pictorial sketch or use 3D modeling software to document the best solution, based upon your team’s decision matrix. Your sketch or 3D model should include a rationale for the design selected as the final design solution. Each sketch should include labels and descriptions for communication.

"I've Made a Few Special Modifications...": Document modifications made to your design during implementation. Explain the reason for the modifications and describe how the new design solution will solve the problem. "Story" is the split between expectation and outcome. Tell us a story regarding what your plan was and how it actually came out! Use photos and sketches to call out three changes. (Nerd points if you know where the quote for this Achievement title comes from)

Final Implementation: This section will showcase your final hardware and software solution. Include photos of your hardware and program. Call out atleast three key features of your design that were significant to its performance. Report how your solution performed in the challenge.

Final Implementation - Video!: Embed a video that showcases your solution in action!

Reflection: Adress the four feedback types that we use in our courses (+, -, ?, !). Solicit feedback from someone outside of your team as well.
Some questions to consider in this section: How well did you accomplish your objectives? What would your team do differently with your design solution and why? Do the results fulfill the problem statement? Provide a brief explanation of what you learned, the challenges of working in a design team, and the purpose of the design problem.

Reference: Post a hotlink to material you referenced on the internet. Explain why this information is significant to your project.


Product Achievements:

Sorting Speed (15 marbels total: at least 3 different types):
Process 15 marbles in less than 2:00 minutes.
Process 15 marbles in less than 1:45 minutes.
Process 15 marbles in less than 1:30 minutes.
Process 15 marbles in less than 1:15 minutes.
Process 15 marbles in less than 1:00 minute.
Process 15 marbles in less than 45 seconds.
Process 15 marbles in less than 30 seconds.


Marble Sorting (Must sort at least 3 types. More than 3 types earns you a multiplier on your Sorting Speed achievements):
Sort 4 marble types = 2 x earned Sort Speed Achievements.
Sort 5 marble types = 3 x earned Sort Speed Achievements


Marble Delivery (may use non-fischertechnik materials to create a "hopper" to drop marbles into for "Drop" achievements):
Drop marbles from 6" above machine
Drop marbles from 1' above machine
Drop marbles from 2' above machine
Drop marbles from 6' above machine



Systems (not including motor or piston used to charge your pressure vessel):
Use at least one piston in a pneumatic system
Use at least two pistons in a pneumatic system
Use pneumatics but less than three pistons
Use at least one motor