Automation and Robotics 1/14

Currently in Automation and Robotics, the students are half way through their basic mechanisms. 

The students have been working hard to complete these mechanisms and learn about the benefits of each one. In about two weeks, the students will have 10 mechanisms they have learned and have experience with. The mechanism to the right shows a lead screw, one of the main mechanisms in many car jacks!

These mechanisms will help the students out immensely, as the students are asked to build more challenging and complex machines when they enter our apocalypse scenario!

Flight and Space 1/8

One group's first design idea.

Currently in flight and space, the students are beginning their biggest project of the year so far—their commercial project! The students are using the design cycle to invent or improve an aerospace vehicle of futuristic proportions! 

Once the students research the plausibility of their invention, they will be constructing a commercial built around their new idea. Once the project is finished, the students will have the option (and I will strongly encourage them) to pick a company such as Space X, Boeing, etc., and submit their idea to that company, looking for design feedback. We’ve just started brainstorming ideas in class, and they have been spectacular so far. I can’t wait to see the finished product!

Design and Modeling 12/17

Currently, in Design and Modeling the students have been learning a lot about how subsystems work within larger systems, and how simple machines can be combined to create complex, compound machines. This learning is building a base of knowledge for when we return from winter break, and begin to work on one of the most exciting projects of the year—the Rube Goldberg Project! Every year, student groups are challenged to create a complex machine to perform a simple task. The introduction to this project, as well as the simple task the students will need to perform, is going to be announced when we return on January 4^th!