Creative Engineering Design
I was a bit behind for this project because I came back from break a bit late. This project was using the engineering method to solve a large problem in the community, nation, or world. I joined a group that was working on the treatment of animals in zoos. We started by finding animals that were treated badly in zoos, and finding ways to fix the enclosures to be more lifelike. Next we designed new enclosures using these changes, and put them on a map of the zoo.
We looked through many animals and finally decided, for now, to give new enclosures to elephants, giraffes, and polar bears. We began by looking for natural habitats of elephants and giraffes, deciding to put them in the same enclosure. We made a large ring around the outside of the zoo in order for them to be able to walk around, and see long distances like they are used to. Next we put in another ring for polar bears, putting in more water, a cooling system, and a glass roof to keep in the cold. Then we would put the rest of the zoo in, but we were fairly time constrained. We then made a presentation for our project. This is our final product.
We looked through many animals and finally decided, for now, to give new enclosures to elephants, giraffes, and polar bears. We began by looking for natural habitats of elephants and giraffes, deciding to put them in the same enclosure. We made a large ring around the outside of the zoo in order for them to be able to walk around, and see long distances like they are used to. Next we put in another ring for polar bears, putting in more water, a cooling system, and a glass roof to keep in the cold. Then we would put the rest of the zoo in, but we were fairly time constrained. We then made a presentation for our project. This is our final product.
presentation.pdf |
Concepts:
-Engineering Design Cycle
>Identify the need: animal mistreatment in zoos
>Research the Problem: how they are mistreated in the zoos
>Develop possible solutions: create new enclosures, create a full better zoo
>Select the most promising solution: create new enclosures
>Construct a prototype: diagram map
>Test and evaluate prototype: Unfortunately we were not able to complete this step
>Communicate the design: our presentation as seen above
>Redesign: how could we make it better?
>Repeat: making a better design...
-Engineering Design Cycle
>Identify the need: animal mistreatment in zoos
>Research the Problem: how they are mistreated in the zoos
>Develop possible solutions: create new enclosures, create a full better zoo
>Select the most promising solution: create new enclosures
>Construct a prototype: diagram map
>Test and evaluate prototype: Unfortunately we were not able to complete this step
>Communicate the design: our presentation as seen above
>Redesign: how could we make it better?
>Repeat: making a better design...
Reflection:
This was one of my best projects so far, because I was more focused, on task, and not as rushed last minute. I joined this group because animals should be treated with the same luxury that suits them as we are with what suits us. I had two peaks. I felt that I did well in the researching part, finding things nobody else was able to. I also did feel that I did well in the designing of the enclosures. This area was an easy part because it was colorful, and it was fun to figure out how to make a man-made space more lifelike.
I have two pits, or areas for improvement. First is I could work on getting more involved. I feel so distracted during every project, that I don't get enough of my share of work done as anyone else, I will continue to work on that. My other pit is not speaking up while I presented. I could have talked much louder and projected better while we were presenting.
This is all experience that I will take with me through the rest of the year.
This was one of my best projects so far, because I was more focused, on task, and not as rushed last minute. I joined this group because animals should be treated with the same luxury that suits them as we are with what suits us. I had two peaks. I felt that I did well in the researching part, finding things nobody else was able to. I also did feel that I did well in the designing of the enclosures. This area was an easy part because it was colorful, and it was fun to figure out how to make a man-made space more lifelike.
I have two pits, or areas for improvement. First is I could work on getting more involved. I feel so distracted during every project, that I don't get enough of my share of work done as anyone else, I will continue to work on that. My other pit is not speaking up while I presented. I could have talked much louder and projected better while we were presenting.
This is all experience that I will take with me through the rest of the year.