Everyone Works in CHS Engineering :)

And Back to School Night is no exception! Your parents got to participate in our Card Tower Challenge. Game based problem solving is the metaphor for our experience in class so this gives them a tangible experience while we talk about the course and the year ahead.

A Millie

We watched the Millie preview during 6th Period. What a show! Nice job to our Engineers that participated in the performance (Chase, Matt, Shana, am I missing anyone else?). Looks like you can catch the show the next two weekends:

Fest!

The San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering! Starting tomorrow and running through next week.

Flat Top

What's going up on the deck of the Carl Vinson?

Find out more about tomorrow's game here.

The Needs of the Customer

As Engineers and Designers, we create solutions to meet the needs of people and solve problems.

? - How does the revolution in Libya and the capture/execution of Gaddafi reflect poor design thinking on Gaddafi's part? Are there other places in the world that are facing challenges related to a lack of human centered design?

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 your blog. Ensure your product is organized and professional:

Define the Problem (1pt) - What types of emergency situations might you and your family need supplies for? Include an image at the top of your post related to one of them. List at least 3 types of emergencies you want to consider for your list.

Brainstorm Ideas (1pt) - List at least 20 ideas for supplies you could use for the given emergencies (number your ideas). 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 !).

Haze Fest

Wow... I'm glad I wasn't new this year...




Kudos to the new teachers for their bravery! Welcome aboard!

Welcome Back!

How was your summer?

Get ready for a great year :)

Happy Graduation!

Thanks for a fantastic year!

It was a gorgeous evening for an auspicious occasion.

I recieved some very meaningful feedback this evening. It's difficult to be everything for everyone and I'm proud to have made a positive difference for as many as I did.

Thank you for the opportunity... have a great summer!


The stands are filled with family and friends well before the ceremony starts:



A stunning backdrop for Mr. Mueller's talk:



The Seniors will be missed.

Looking forward to next year!

Good Luck Engineers!

Good luck to all our AP Physics takers!

Happy Mother's Day!

Congratulations to all the mothers out there! We appreciate your efforts.

Mrs. Olson enjoying some time with Dane today:


Did you get your Mothers something for Mother's Day? What makes a good gift?

How does good gift giving align with our "Design Thinking" experience?

Good Luck Engineers!

Good luck to everyone taking the AP test today!

Empty Bowls

Tonight at CHS!

This sounds like a wonderful event and benefits a good cause. I encourage everyone that can to attend!

LAX: "Duh... Winning!"

When does CHS play La Jolla? Looking forward to seeing if you can beat my Alma Mater.


***Update***
Extra credit to Nick for bringing in a schedule:

Team Olson will plan on attending the away game at La Jolla (easier for us to get to at 7:00pm!). Looking forward to it.

FIRST Robotics - 2011 Game

FIRST stands for For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. Thursday, Friday and Saturday saw the FIRST Robotics Competition come to San Diego. Our CHS team, Crown City Robotics, have been working diligently all year and have fielded a robot for the event.

The artist formerly known as the San Diego Sports Arena:



This was a new experience for me and I was amazed by the production value of the event. Here's a view of the competition floor:



The other half of the arena floor was dedicated to the team pits. Teams came from as far as Hawaii:



Stay tuned for a post that shows off our team in action as well as some information regarding the rules of the game it's self.

"Fry a Servo!"

Good luck to Crown City Robotics, the CHS Robotics Team! They embark today on the beginning of their weekend long competition at the complex formerly known as the Sports Arena.



If this were a stage show we'd say "break a leg". What's a good robotics related expression we could use? "Fry a servo!"? "Burn out a motherboard!"?

Whatever the case, best of luck!