Term Three
Term Three began with what I believe to be the most adventerous project yet. We were to construct a 40' bridge (scaled, of course) only out of materials from Home Depot. This limited the size of the planks we could use. Out of the vast amount of types of bridges I could choose, I picked the drawbridge. I started by creating the framework for each side of the bridge out of scaled planks. I covered the top with plastic planks, and drilled holes near the ends for the string. After cutting four pipes to 20", I filled them almost to the top with concrete to provide stability. I attached hinges to each section so it would swing up and down with ease. To finish it off, I threaded a piece of string to pull up the bridge. I think it turned out well. This project taught me about structual design. Feedback told me to make a weight at the bottom of the pond to support the bridge. If I were to do it again, I would add a motor, or at least a crank, to wind up the bridge.
The next task was to test the solar-panel powered cars we had built. Mine had worked in the past, but for unidentified reasons, was unable to start. I slowly began to take it apart to locate the problem, but was unable to fix it before the test. My car had to go through the test with no rear wheels or a working motor. Obviously, this car was a FAILURE. It taught me not take the wheels if you can't get them back on. If I were to do it again, I would be sure to make the car less complex.
Our final project for Term Three was the biggest, longest, and most complex project yet. It would utilize every skill we had learned so far in this class. We had to construct a scale-model house. The house had to include five features to make it enviromentally friendly. I started off by sketching a house with a square base and four towers on the roof, with a courtyard in the center. The base was pink foam with concrete within it.wooden framework was placed upon it, along with the floor. Then, the walls and roof were put on, made of white foam board. Plexiglass windows were slotted into the walls, and folded paper acted as stairs to the roof. The four towers were topped with an almagamation of both sheet metal and pinkfoam to attract and lock in heat. I put a water tank inside the courtyard to catch, filter, and reuse rainwater. Feedback from Mr. Ramos told me to add a lawn...on the roof, to make even more eco-friendly. The finished product looked amazing, and if I were to do it again, I would add another floor, just to make it look better.
The next task was to test the solar-panel powered cars we had built. Mine had worked in the past, but for unidentified reasons, was unable to start. I slowly began to take it apart to locate the problem, but was unable to fix it before the test. My car had to go through the test with no rear wheels or a working motor. Obviously, this car was a FAILURE. It taught me not take the wheels if you can't get them back on. If I were to do it again, I would be sure to make the car less complex.
Our final project for Term Three was the biggest, longest, and most complex project yet. It would utilize every skill we had learned so far in this class. We had to construct a scale-model house. The house had to include five features to make it enviromentally friendly. I started off by sketching a house with a square base and four towers on the roof, with a courtyard in the center. The base was pink foam with concrete within it.wooden framework was placed upon it, along with the floor. Then, the walls and roof were put on, made of white foam board. Plexiglass windows were slotted into the walls, and folded paper acted as stairs to the roof. The four towers were topped with an almagamation of both sheet metal and pinkfoam to attract and lock in heat. I put a water tank inside the courtyard to catch, filter, and reuse rainwater. Feedback from Mr. Ramos told me to add a lawn...on the roof, to make even more eco-friendly. The finished product looked amazing, and if I were to do it again, I would add another floor, just to make it look better.