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

3rd Annual Egg Drop Challenge!!!

We will conduct the 3rd Annual Engineering Egg Drop Challenge next week!

Your goal is to design and implement a solution for our client that allows us to drop an egg from our class balcony onto the concrete below without it breaking.



The PLTW 12 Step Iterative Design Process (click to enlarge):




Our agenda for Egg Drop Week (next week) supports an iterative design process:

Monday is "Prep Day"
Team up with a partner
Define the challenge, criteria and constraints.
Brainstorm solutions.
Identify materials to bring in for "Build Day" (block day)

You must bring in the materials you want to use for Block Day!


Block Day is "Build Day"
Use the materials you've brought in to realize the vision of your design.
Crash test dummy eggs will be provided.
You may test your design off the balcony


Thursday is "Test Day"
Click here to see correct drop technique.


Friday is "Iteration Day"
Redesign as necessary.
Reimplement your design.
Capture your experience in your portfolio.


Score
An Achievement System will be used to score your effort on this activity.
The number one priority in this effort is to not make a permanent mess (no Jello, materials that will stain, etc. If you have any question about materials, please see Mr. Olson).
Our next priority is to have a great time solving this challenge! :)
Please note that all materials used in your solution must be "delivered" from the launch location (you may not place additional material on the target from the ground for instance).

League of Learners!

In conjunction with the CHS League of Legends Club, we're offering a one unit course this Spring titled 'League of Legends: Teamwork in Electronic Sports'.

We will use the rich context of the world's most played video game to not only have fun with some friendly competition but also develop communication and teamwork skills that can benefit you both in and outside of the game.

If you think that would be awesome to have a credit for "League of Legends" on your transcript, this is what you need to do:

1) Join the CHS League of Legends club: click here to go to the CHS LoL Facebook group and join it.

2) Earn 20 of the following "Achievements" (10 week course/by May 28th): 

Some achievements may be earned multiple times, others may be earned only once. The number of times you may earn an Achievement is listed before it in parenthesis (example: (5) “Meet Up” means the “Meet Up” Achievement may be earned up to 5 times). Document your progress as you complete Achievements. Turn in a record of your Achievements to Mr. Olson to earn credit for the course.

• (5) “Meet Up”: Participate in a Team meeting (May earn up to 5 times)
• Record date, time and location of meeting.
• List key topics discussed/key insights gained
• Share how you participated in the discussion.
• (5) “Player”: Play in an organized CHS Team match. This can be all CHS-ers (“practice”) or a team of CHS-ers against another team/group (“competition”) (May earn up to 5 times)
• Record date, time, champion played, K/D/A record and result of the match (W/L)
• (5) “AAR”: Conduct an AAR (After Action Review) for a match played in (May earn up to 5 times). This Achievement pairs well with the “Player” Achievement above.
• Address the four elements of an AAR:
• What was your team’s plan?
• Example: Champion composition, starting lanes, how to counter enemy Champions, etc.
• How did things play out?
• What went well?
• What could be done better?
• Share your experience on our Facebook group. Team members from the same match can comment on the same post to keep things organized/in context.
• (3) “New Blood”: Play a champion you’ve not played before from the current week’s Free Champions list (May earn up to 3 times)
• Consider sharing some of the following to spark discussion:
• How did you play the champion (AD, AP, Support, Jungler, etc.)? Was there an online build guide that helped you how to approach the match?
• What did you like best about this champion?
• What did you like least?
• How might this champion work well with a team?
• Share your experience on our Facebook group.
• (1) “Favorite!”: What’s your current favorite champion?
• Who is it?
• Why?
• Performance considerations?
• Any non-performance (aesthetic) considerations?
• Share your thoughts on the Facebook group.
• (1) “Dreaded Opponent”: What champion do you have the hardest time defeating?
• When played well, what about the champion makes them hard for you?
• Share your perspective on our Facebook group and solicit advice regarding how to handle them.
• (1) “Don’t Die!”: Set your new PR (Personal Record) for the least number of deaths in a match against real players.
• What was your strategy to stay alive more than before?
• Do you feel that fewer deaths contributed to the performance of your team? Support your answer.
• Share your results on the Facebook group
• (1) “Roll Your Own”: Design a LoLrs Achievement (approved by Team) and get someone to complete it. Share the results on our Facebook group.
• (1) “Well played Sir/Ma’am”: Post up something on the team facebook page that another CHSer did well in a match. Use the expression “Well played Sir/Ma’am” (gender appropriate version) in the post. Emphasize the accomplishment, not a negative result that someone else experienced (Keep good sportsmanship in mind: avoid being negative about another player or embellishing their defeat)
• (2) “Organizer”: Set up a team match (CHS team vs. CHS team or CHS team vs. others) (May earn twice).
• (2) “Good Host”: Promote team involvement by inviting a CHS player to play in a match whom you’ve not played with before (May earn twice).
• (3) “The Great Communicator”: Present to the team on a LoL relevant topic at a meeting (short but high quality information) (May earn up to 3 times). Some example topics include:
• What’s the goal of the game? To Win!... but how do you do that?....
• The “Meta Game”: Mid vs. Top vs. Bot.
• Champion Archetypes: AD, AP, Support, Jungler, etc.
• Team Strategies for winning.
• How to “Cross Talk” on a team - fight in relation to each other.
• (1) “Go Postal”: Make at least two different posts on our team Facebook Group.
• (1) “Comment Early, Comment Often”: Leave a comment on at least 5 different posts on our team Facebook Group.
• (2) "Getting Out": Attend a LoL related event/tournament. Post to our Facebook group where you went and what you saw/did (May earn twice).

We can add/edit/change Achievements based on the consensus of the team. The goal of the Achievments is to incentivize experiences that support the team and the development of your skills in and outside of the game.

A Day at the Races!

4th Period inaugurated this year's round of RC prop car races. A good story is full of unexpected moments. This race was exciting! Lots of twists and turns (bad pun!).

Congrats to "The Racing Stripes" who ended up prevailing in the end:

Problem Solving In Action!

We don't have a scale at home and we needed to figure out how much the squash weighed so we can cook it the right amount. What was the solution? This should be easy for anyone who's had our Principles of Engineering course!

The weight is 5lbs and located 10" from the fulcrum. The squash balanced out at 14" from the fulcrum. Why did I choose 10" for the distance of the known weight (why not 1')? How much does the squash weigh?

First satisfactory answer given to me gets an Awesome Point.

Design Thinking in Action

Juan, Austin and Augie were showing how to get things done today. You'll do lots of projects in college and more often than not, one person will do most of the work. Not the case with these guys. Here they are, each working on a separate aspect of our Architecture Capstone Project:

March Madness

I usually have students in my classroom at lunch so I couldn't figure out why no one was here today...
Then I remembered that Mr. Farrar has his annual student organized Super Smash Brothers tournament going! A lot of engineers in the mix over there. Fun!:

Fail Early, Fail Often!

I say it all the time and we got to experience it first hand during our RC prop car time trials today.

What did you learn about your car design by testing it against the reality of our race course?

I knew my car was fast but had no idea it would fall apart by repeatedly bouncing over each crack in the walk. My potential "killer" didn't even finish the course. What should I change? What will you do for yours?

Mo Fire!

Another fire alarm this week. Good job staying organized 3rd Period.

Land Shark!

I modified a failed RC airplane design into my entry for our Prop Car Races. How do you think it'll go?

Lego NXT Design-Build Challenge #1

A short course to start with for our autonomous robot challenge. Using a set pattern proved to be ideal in this case. You can expect that later challenges might be more complex! :)

FIRST Robotics

Crown City Robotics had a great time at the FIRST Robotics competition today. I brought The Danish with me to see the extravaganza (He loved it!). The team did well finishing eighth out of more than 60 in the qualifying rounds before the final. Each match is played with an "alliance" of three teams competing against another "alliance". The eighth place finish qualified Crown City to select their alliance going into the final. Congrats team!

Crown City fixing their bot after their final qualifying round:

Cheering on Crown City with Shana and Carlos:

This is what the "arena" looked like:

Andrew and Connor helping another team with a technical problem:

Engineers at work:

The robots had to shoot frisbees through those "goals" to score points. At the end of the match they could earn bonus points by climbing those "pyramids":

Safety first! Everyone including Dane wears eye protection in the pit:

Quite a spectacle:

Those wacky engineers!:

Epic!

Andoni and Ryan sported the Mr. Olson "uniform" in class today. Nice job guys. A polo and khakis are flexible like a "mullet" haircut (which some describe as "business in the front, party in the back"). It's all about "optionality". This outfit lets a person not stick out as completely under-dressed with a professional crowd but also lets you relax in a casual setting:

First Prop Car!

Sean, Stan and Trenton have completed their first prototype. It jams!

If this was your prototype, what would you change/work on next?

Everybody Loves Legos!

In 6th Period, we're starting our unit on robotics with Legos. Fun!

What Comes Around, Goes Around :)

Mr. Hoang brought cookies to 4th period as a thank you for the delicious breakfast food they'd brought over to him the last couple of Wednesdays. Nice!