Sort It!

Andrew and Connor have figured out an elegant way to seperate their wood and metal marbles from their glass ones:

Machine Control: Elevator!

Branch Functions

We're getting into our RoboPro visual programming environment and Fishcertechnik robotics hardware in the Principles of Engineering courses.

What does this program do?

Class of Magicians!

We've turned our POE students into Magicians!

By calculating the material properties of this 2x4, they are able to predict the weight of another student based on how much it deflects (sags) beneath them.

It's a primitive set up but we've had groups calculate within a pound of the student's actual weight. Impressive!

The point of math and science is to be able to work our way up the "Knowledge Pyramid" (Data > Information > Knowledge > Wisdom)

Although this is a rough/hasty set up, we are able to take our measurements and gain a predictive capability from them. Very neat!

Arduino

We're going to get going with some Arduino Projects in our Principles of Engineering Courses (2nd and 4th Period) and in our Engineering Projects Class (3rd Period). I had ordered a batch for the students that had chipped in on the Engineering Fund. If you didn't contribute, and would like to get some hardware for yourself, here are some links to the products on Amazon:

The Arduino Uno on Amazon. When I posted this, the board was listed at $20, a very competitive price (The best price I could find when I ordered them for the class was closer to $30 :( )

The Uno Starter Pack on Amazon. This kit provides some basic goodies to get going with Arduino projects.

A USB A to B Cable is needed to interface the Arduino with a computer (Mac or PC). Programing is done in the Arduino Integrated Development Environment (free to download at Arduino.cc). An A to B USB cable is the type of cable that is typically used to connect a printer to a computer. You may be able to use an existing/left over one so only order if you do not have something on hand that is usable.


Optional Texts:
There is a plethora of information on Arduino on the web. If you prefer having a physical reference, here are a few to consider.

We have one or two copies of this in class. You may like to have your own:
Getting Started with Arduino

This book appears similar to Getting Started with Arduino but focusses on the programming aspect of the process:
Programming Arduino

Making Things Talk (as in electronic communications between objects) is an incredible text that a person could make a full college course out of. We will attempt a few of the projects in this book. At $20, this is an incredible value (even more so compared to the $100+ that you'll be paying for texts in college).

UNO

Speaking of integrated circuits (see the Google post beneath this), some hardware arrived today for our Principles of Engineering students just in time for the holiday.

What could these be?:

"I Love It When A Plan Comes Together"...

... well, we hope this one comes together!

4th Period reminded me there was a Holiday Door Decoration contest and was enthusiastic to participate. So we took today to brainstorm/prototype some engineering based decoration solutions.

Having an impromptu contest pop up is the perfect way to engage our Creative Problem Solving minds and it was neat to see how effective the class was at developing concepts and informally collaborating:





The proof is in the pudding however so we'll see if we're able to get something organized. Judging is after lunch tomorrow so we don't have a lot of time!

Contests/Problems seem to bring the best out of our teams. My goal is to have all of our efforts revolve around team based problems/challenges and I am working to that end.

Renewable Insulation Challenge!

The largest amount of energy consumed within the average home is related to maintaining adequate climate control through heating and cooling systems. To conserve energy and decrease expenses associated with climate control, proper home insulation techniques are required. Insulation technologies relating to materials and application have advanced throughout the home building industry with time. The home building industry once relied on straw and newspaper for insulating material. The industry currently utilizes technology such as fiberglass and blown expandable foam. Insulation material advancement is driven by consumers demanding insulation material designed for high insulation value along with positive occupant health and environmental impact. Many homeowners today are designing new “green” homes. To meet the needs of green consumers, insulation manufacturers are developing insulating materials made from recycled products such as jeans, t-shirts, and other low volatile organic products that can be treated with boric acid. Manufacturers have found that going green has other benefits to the homeowner as well, such as cotton’s ability to provide excellent soundproofing.





Criteria:
• Design a renewable composite insulation material.
• Achieve the highest R value in the class with your design.



Design Constraints:
• Composite insulation material must have overall uniform thickness less than or equal to one inch.
• Composite insulation material must have consistent internal composition.
• Individual insulation material(s) must be environmentally friendly.
• Individual insulation material(s) must be recyclable.
• Individual insulation material(s) must be economical.
• Composite insulation material dimensions must not exceed the overall dimensions of Heat box apparatus top.



Measurements and Calculations
See class handout


Conclusion Questions

1. Explain how your house might lose energy through radiation.



2. What modifications could be made to your team’s insulation design that allow for more energy efficiency?



3. Which beverage would be more beneficial for cooling you on a hot summer day – a cup of ice cold water or a cup of hot cocoa? Justify your choice.



4. How do birds insulate their bodies to prevent energy loss on the skin’s surface?

Safer Nukes?

Would this be a safer system for harnessing nuclear energy? How does this work?
Thanks to Joe Lee for the heads up on this (click on the image to enlarge it):

(Also a good example of an image that "tells a story")

4th Period Getting Ready to Race!

4th Period has been making some solid progress on getting their Mousetrap Racecars together. Here is a sampling of the teams in mid build on their designs:





Kudos to Dan. To celebrate our Inaugural Moustrap Racing Series, he had the thought to bring donuts in for the class. That's "Human Centered Design" in action! :)

West Point Bridge Designer (WPBD) Challenge

This is a department wide challenge available for any Engineering student to participate in. Rather than devoting specific in class time for this event, it's an ongoing game that is an approved activity whenever you've completed your current coursework. Engage with this in place of non-engineering related activities.

The Challenge:
Build the cheapest bridge possible that successfully spans the gap (Your bridge must not only stand under its own weight, it must also support the weight of the test vehicle).

How To Get Started:
Click on the West Point Bridge Designer icon on your desktop to get the software going (If you are unable to find the icon, search for the software the traditional way using start>program files):




Proceed through each setup step to reach the bridge editor:




Build and test your bridge. The key way to reduce cost is by changing your bridge members to the smallest members possible. This is an "iterative" process. Fail early and fail often!

Achievements
You may earn the following Achievements. These are worth extra credit. Justification for each Achievement (screenshots and text explanation) should be compiled into a single post on your blog (remember, you can edit and update blog post to keep it current). You may be required to verify any results so keep copies of your files:

"Build it" (1pt) - Build a functional bridge. Display a screen shot and list the total cost. List one feedback item for each of our four feedback areas for this design (+, change, ?, !).

"My Best Result" (1pt) - Post your best result and your period in the comments section of this post.

"Best in Class" (1pt) - The best score posted in the comments section from each period may earn this Achievement.

"Best Bridge" (1pt) - The best score overall from any course posted in the comments section earns this Achievement.

Student Blog Links: 4th Period

4th Period - please comment on this blog post with your blog title and blog url listed. I will use these addresses to make a list of class links on the right sidebar. Thanks!

As an example:
"Hi 4th Period! Hi Mr. Olson!
My blog is called Creative Problem Solvers!
The url is www.creativeproblemsolvers.blogspot.com"

Simple Machine: Wheel and Axel

Andrew and Isabel show off a very clean design for the examination of a Wheel and Axel simple machine:

4th Period!

Our last day in class with our Seniors. Congrats on making it through 13 years of school! Here's 4th Period taking a break from their Capstone projects to get this photo:

Class Assignments: Monday and Block Day

Students,

As mentioned last week, I am attending the University of California Curriculum Integration conference to participate in the design of a possible new UC approved course. So far, things are off to a great start.


The following are tasks for you to complete listed by period:


2nd Period
Please continue your deisgn efforts on the Glider Challenge. You will likely want to start assembling your Glider if you've completed your "Prototype of the Prototype" and other Design Phase requirements. Be sure you photograph your work to make it easier to create your blog write up!

Please click here to see all your Glider Challenge Deliverables.

Elmers glue is available under the projector. The "Glue All" version is more effective than the "School" version. What other glue might you use to assemble your glider? Be resourceful.

Additional tissue paper can be found in the blue IKEA bag.

If you complete the fabrication of your glider as well as your write up, please watch the Making Stuff: Stronger video.

We will "compete" with our Gliders on Thursday when I return. I'm sure you'll have some amazing flights!



3rd Period

Do the Locker Design Activity.

You have Monday and Block Day to complete this design task. If you finish your work, you may watch the Making Stuff: Stronger video.



4th Period
Please continue your efforts with the Machine Control Capstone Project. Once you complete your simple pneumatic machine, you will need to investigate how to use the photoresistor.

Investigate this sensor and also make progress on your overall design.

Be sure to capture images of your efforts (brainstorms, sketches, decision matrix, etc.) to help support your Machine Control Capstone Project Deliverables.

Click through here to find out how you will be graded on this project.



5th Period

Do the Locker Design Activity.

You have Monday and Block Day to complete this design task. If you finish your work, you may watch the Making Stuff: Stronger video.




If any student is roadblocked on their assigned tasks for any reason, please fall back on watching the Making Stuff: Stronger video.

Machine Control Capston Project: Grading

You will be graded in three areas on your project:

1) Blog post write up based on these questions (tuned up version of handout).
2) The performance of your product (machine) based on the build achievements you earn. These will be ranked and updated on a class "Leaderboard".
3) Participation. Spot checks will be conducted to determine your level of involvement on the project.


Please familiarize yourselves with the new build achievements that have been established.

Machine Control Capstone Project: Build Achievements

We will implement an "Achivement" based system in evaluating the "product" portion of our Machine Control Capstone Project. The following is a breakout of the current achievements that are possible to earn. Team procucts will be ranked off of the number of achievements they earn:


Marble Sorting (some achievments scored multiple times):
Sort one marble (x1)
Sort two marbles (x1)
Sort three marbles (x1)
Sort four marbles (x1)
Sort four marbles (x2)
Sort five marbles (x1)
Sort five marbles (x2)
Sort five marbles (x3)


Marble Delivery (may use non-robo pro 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


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

Machine Control: Pneumatics

The following image may be helpful to you as a reference in setting up a pneumatic system with your Fischertechnik parts:




Click here for more (not much more) information on setting up a pneumatic system.

Python

Our work with the Fischertechnik robotics kits used Robo Pro, a very nice visual programing environment.

For our first efforts with actual text based programming, we will have a look at the language Python. You can click through here to visit Python.org.

Non essential trivia - Why was this language named Python? A clue is that the command line shell (not quite an actual IDE (Integrated Development Environment)) is named IDLE.

Is this Real?

We talked about the Turing Test in class today. A book called The Most Human Human was recently written on the topic (linked for anyone that's interested in learning more about the test and its history).