Design Portfolio: The technology of batteries

We watched a movie about batteries a few days ago in class. Batteries can store a lot of energy. They can power up so many things. For example instead of having to charge an electric car you could put a battery in it instead. Batteries are a great way to power devices like phones and tablets as well. Technology is something that helps us in our every day lives. Batteries do just that. However some batteries can be expensive especially large ones.

Design Portfolio : Building a Circuit

Today I built a Circuit. I did not know we would need a battery so that slowed down the process. Another thing I thought was challenging was stripping the wires. I had to do it multiple times for each side. It was really cool though when the LED light lit up. When you think about it all of the electricity is traveling through those wires. This was probably one of the hardest project we have done this quarter but one of the most fun.

Design portfolio: Building an Electroscope

Today I built an electroscope. I did not even know what an electroscope was until I made one. An electroscope is a piece of technology that detects electricity. The way I created that electricity is by taking a balloon and rubbing it on a felt cloth. My electroscope turned out really well. However the teardrop shaped tin foil pieces kept falling off the paper clip. This was slightly frustrating but in the end I got both of them to stay on the paper clip. This project was one of the most fun this quarter and I really enjoyed it.

Design Portfolio – Cam A

I finished making my cam. It did not turn out the way I expected it to. The tube that sticks out of the top does not move as freely as I would have liked. Something I thought was challenging is making the cross cuts. The paper ripped whenever I tried to do the cross cut. We are going to make a crank later this week. I hope that turns out better than my cam did. Also I have had a little practice using the slice cutter. I think that will make it easier. Overall it was a fun but challenging project.

Design Portfolio: Building Cams

Today in class we started building our cams. Everyone was given a template. We were allowed to choose what cam we wanted to make. There were 3 types of cams we could make. I chose cam A. We were supposed to cut the small shapes out with our safety scissors. It was a little hard to do that. You had to cut all in one direction and you can’t go back and forth. So far I have put together the base of my cam. I am super excited to see how it turns out.

Design Portfolio: The Technology of Simple Machines

What are machine made out of? Machines are made out of smaller, simpler machines called simple machines. These machines are combined in order to make more complex machines such as cars. There are many simple machines some of them include levers, wheel and axel, inclined plane,wedge and the screw. These machines are combined in different ways to create different  machines.

Design Portfolio: Catapult

Have you ever been to an arcade? Have you ever played a game with a catapult? Chances are you might have. Catapults are used to launch something to another area. They are a type of lever. At home we are making catapults. I chose to do the first catapult. I hope it works well. It uses the stretchy rubber band to make the object go a long distance. A bigger catapult would be able to make an object travel a farther distance. I think my catapult will work well.

Design Portfolio: Trust Project

At home we are building a truss structure. I decided to make my shape for the structure a cube. I wanted to make it a cube because using trusses I could turn the sides of the cube into triangles. I know that triangles are one of the most popular shapes among engineers because their strength. Something I thought was challenging was that my toothpicks kept falling out of my carrots. I had to try 4 times before I got it right. It will be interesting to look at the Flipgrid  and see what shapes other people did. I think this is a challenging and important project.

Design Portfolio: The Technology of Buckets

Have you ever carried a bucket of sand to build a sand castle? Well I know I have. Something I have always wondered is what is the technology of buckets? Buckets can hold things so you don’t have to carry them by hand. If you are carrying them by hand  they may slip or fall. This invention is definitely helpful and one of the most used inventions in the world. It helps make carrying things easier. If you combine a bucket with a pulley it can work to cary the contents of the bucket over to the other side.

Design Portfolio: Technology of Glass in Windows

Glass. You see it when you look out your windows, but what is the technology of glass? The technology of glass is that it is hard and clear. These things make glass a very popular material to make windows out of. They solve a  problem as well ,when it is really stormy outside and you want to make sure that trees are not going to fall on your house you can look through a window and still be warm inside your house and you do not need to get wet in the storm. Glass in windows is specifically clear so you can look outside but solid and strong so wind or rain does not get into your house.