Post 10: Summary

     The Problems in Technology class was beneficial to my growing in the technology field but kept the elements of fun and challenge to problem solving. During this class, I learned about the tools even more. Before this class, I hardly used the power tools and I mostly concerned myself with the designing part of the challenges. Now, I feel more comfortable in the lab and I am able to work more confidentially with the drills and saws. Another thing that the class taught me was about planning. Many of the projects has multiple aspects to it, thus I had to be all inclusive with the thought process. Getting into the project without a well laid out plan often meant what we made was going to fail. Seeing the difference an extra day in the computer lab could do was influential to my problem solving methods. Another main focus of the trimester seemed to be aerodynamic principles. We used the concepts of lift and drag in the CO2 powered vehicles to ensure we were able to make the car fast. We used aerodynamic principles a little in the ballista project since we wanted the marshmallow to fly as far as possible. Now, we are finishing with a glider project where we revisited the concepts of lift and drag. I have become very familiar with these concepts and are able to apply them to more everyday situations. Beyond these technological concepts, I learned about physical components such as torque. These things I already knew about from a physics class, but I was able to apply the concept to a real life situation to help solve problems.

Airfoils used to explore drag and lift

    The projects in the class have been a blast to conquer. The first project of the CO2 powered vehicles was fun since we got to make two cars. We were able to correct our mistakes with the first car in designing the second car. The end product was a second car that functioned very well. The siege the castle project created a heightened sense of independence since we were given many choices in how we wanted to go about solving the problem. We had the opportunity to pick the type of machine we wanted to create which we then had to seek out information about. This project gave me real experience with problem solving since the hand holding of old projects wasn't an aspect. The last project that I am working on is a glider project. The challenge is to build an aircraft that will stay afloat for a long period of time. This final project has been a lot of fun since it also wasn't well planned out. We were able to get all the initial research we needed for designing the craft and from there is has been testing of many different designs. The freedom of the project has been great for my further exploration with problem solving skills.

Projects done this class

     With my interest in engineering, I will used all of the skills I have learned in this class. I know that I will have many labs where I am required to use the tools I have become familiar with. Problem solving skills will also play a huge role in my classes. This one technique that I am working toward perfecting will help with all aspects of my education in the future no matter what. Working in a team has also helped my openness. I am used to cooperating with other and listening to all design ideas. Working in groups is inevitable and people skills are necessary. Being able to research and design on my own will aid in my study of various machines. Since I am interested in mechanical engineering, the concepts that I have learned about in each project will be very relevant. I know that going into college, I will already have many of the skills that I will need to be successful by working through this class.