Class Summary

This was by far my favorite class this trimester. It was very hands on and at the same time I was able to learn a lot. My biggest complaint would be all of the paperwork. I spent as much time working on unnecessary paperwork that I felt did little to enhance my learning experience. Other than that the class was structure great, with a good progression of projects.
Of the 3 main projects that we did, my favorite was definitely the mouse-trap powered vehicle. The design process was open ended with a simple goal, and there was plenty of time to fine tune our vehicle. But I feel as if the MPV project could be improved in the future by giving the students better mousetraps, the mousetrap the me and Michael Chen were given was not nearly powerful enough for our origonal design, and so we had to scrap it and start again.

This class has taught me much about technology and building. I learned much about the design process, trial and error, and testing. I also learned about the various tools and machines we used, like the chop saw and belt sander. In the future I can use these skills as a possible career, or even if I need to make something at home. I am glad that I took this class and look forward to taking other classes in this series in the future.

Seismograph

Intro to Project
The purpose of the project was to make a seismograph capable of detecting small and large tremors made by shaking a table. There were no size or material restraints.

Tech Concepts
For this project we used tech concepts like inertia for the measuring of movements. 

Learning goals
The learning goal of this project was how best to make something with no requirements, only an end goal.

The Seismograph
For our seismograph, we decided to make the arm long so it would be able to make small detections. We therefore made the whole project long and heavy so only our extended arm would move in relation to the table. It worked decently, but because there was roughly equal weight on the front and back of the arm, it didn't move as much as we'd wanted it to.

+ Feedback
This was a good project to do, although not as good as the others. As the trimester has gone on they have become more and more open ended, and this is by far the most open. However, there wasn't much creativity involved in designing and it was relatively easy to build.

Redesign
If we were to do the project over we would make the arm shorter and more sensitive by putting the weight mostly in the front of the arm.

Tech resources
In this project we used technological resources such as

Tools

Machines

People

Energy

Time Information

Biggest Challenge

Our biggest challenge was balancing the weight so the arm moves smoothly. We solved this by adding large binder clips to the back end of the arm, evening out the weight

What Was Learned

We learned about the Richter Scale, how seismographs work, and how inertia affects seismographs.

Popsicle Stick Bridge

Intro to Project
The purpose of this project was to build a trussed bridge out of 120 Popsicle stick that could hold as much weight as possible. It also had to be between 16-20 inches long and the sides had to each be at least 4 inches long.

Tech Concepts
For this 3rd project, we delved deeper into forces (compression, tension, torsion, and shear). Also we looked at the different types of bridges and the pros/cons for each of them. In the end we used a trussed bridge because it was the easiest to make and the easiest to build.

Learning Goals
The central learning goal in this project was that sometimes multiple tests aren't possible, so you have to think it thorough and do good on the first.

The Bridge
For our bridge, we decided to make our bridge as small as possible, so the sticks could be used for strength instead of for unnecessary length. We also decided upon focusing on making the sides as strong as possible, then making a strong bottom, then a decent top to hold it together. To make it we  first made the sides, then connected with the top then put sticks across the bottom. It worked very well, and held 165 lbs.

+ Feedback
I liked this project a lot, although not quite as much as the MPV. Putting together the bridge proved a difficult challenge, but once we got it, it was very rewarding. It was highly important to build it exact, everything needed to line up. IT was tons of fun, and the best part was testing it with the weights instead of the bridge tester.

Redesign
If we had to do the project over again, there is absolutely nothing that I would change. Our bridge worked very well and held the most weight in the class.

Tech resources
In this project we used technological resources such as

Tools

Machines

People

Energy

Time Information

Biggest Challenge

Our biggest challenge was figuring how to best put together the bridge, we knew that if it was poorly constructed then no matter how good our design was then it would perform poorly.

What Was Learned

In this project we learned about the different types of bridges, their pros and cons, and when each of them would be used.

Mouse-Trap Powered Vehicle

Intro to Project
The purpose of the lab was to build a vehicle, powered only by a mouse-trap, to go as far as possible. The spring pulled a string which was wrapped around the axle so as the string was pulled the wheels spun, propelling the car forwards.

Tech Concepts
In our 2nd project the biggest tech concept that we explored was was torque vs speed, trying to get the perfect ratio of length of the arm to the size of the wheel. We decided upon a small arm with large wheels to make the mouse-trap car go quickly but for a short time.

Learning Goals
The main learning goal in this project was trial and error, making us realize that technology has to be tested again and again for it to improve.

The Vehicle
For our MPV we decided to try to get our vehicle to go quickly and then glide for a long distance. we accomplished this by making it lightweight with only 2 wheels and a small body and by having a short arm attached to the spring of the vehicle. It worked very well before the testing, but during our tests the spring got caught on the axle so the car wasn't able to glide for nearly as far as it normally would have.

+ Feedback
I liked this project very much, even more than the first. It was much more open ended, which allowed us to be much more creative and try multiple ways before our final vehicle. And yet it was far from easy and challenged us to think of many solutions to the same problem.

Redesign
Overall we have next to nothing that we would change if we were to do the project again. The legos were easy to put together and made to axle spin much smoother than any of the other groups. The only thing that we would change would be the way that we spun the string around the axle, the method we used of making a loop like a yo-yo was simple to wind, but got caught during our tests, stopping the vehicle from gliding as we designed it to.

Tech Resources
Again, we used many tech resources such as

• Tools
• Machines
• People
• Energy
• Time Information

Biggest Challenge

Our biggest obstacle in this project was preventing the vehicle from curving. One of the wheels was slightly larger and so when it spun it pushed the car towards the opposite wall. It took a while for us to figure this out, but once we discovered it it was very easy to fix.

What Was Learned

Me and my partner learned teamwork, time management over a few weeks, and trial and error

Egg Drop Project

Intro to Project
The purpose was to build 2 devices to protect an egg whe droped from various heights. The first was from relatively short distances but had a limited amount of materials. Then in the second there were unlimited materials as long as it fit onto a piece of paper and had no parachute.

Tech Concepts
In this project, multiple technology concepts were explored, such as trying to minimize the impact as it relates to impulse. In the first we tried to make it very light and bouncy on the bottom, which worked except when it bounced onto its side. In the second we put a large crumple zone on the bottom, except it failed when it flipped midair and landed upsidedown

Learning Goals
The design process was the biggest learning goal introduced during this project. We started with 4 designs and narrowed them down to one, which we used and made changes to as needed.

Mini Drop
For our mini drop we focused on making the device very light so the parachute would slow it more efficiently, as well as making the bottom bouncy and flexible to reduce the impact on the egg. It worked excelent until when it bounced too much on one of the drops and landed wrong, cracking the egg.

Big drop

In our big drop we focused more on creating a large crumple zone and reducing the chance of it tipping over once it landed. We used a waterbottle for most of the body, added Popsicle sticks on the bottom and sides, and put the egg in a foam basket of sorts. It worked well and survived 1 story, but on the way from the 3rd floor to the 1st floor it tipped upside down and landed on a metal railing. So while we started with large expectations, we still ended losing.

+ Feedback
I think that this was an excelent first major project. Not only was it fun and excitng, it was also very educational. Also, it was different from egg drops that we have done in middle school and this made it more interesting and challenging. It was a great project, and I hope that the other projects will be half as good as this one.

Redesign
In the 1st drop, we decided that the only thing that we would have changed it to have made it so after its landing it wouldn't tip to its side as it did when it broke. In the 2nd, we decided that the only major change we would have done is to make the bottom more heavy so that's where it would have landed. Other than that the only thing we would have changed it to add more padding to the egg.

Tech Resources
In this project, we used resources such as

• Tools
• Machines
• People
• Energy(human)
• Time
• Information(internet)

Biggest challenge

Our biggest challenge in the first drop was how to make a good enough parachute using only the materials provided. In the big drop our greatest challenge was how to have it land on the bottom, which we eventually failed at. However, in hindsight we now know how to fix both of these problems.

What was learned

I learned about the design process, time management, using only certain materials to solve a problem, and being realistic.

What is Technology

The general definition of technology is "the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, esp. in industry". However, for this class we use the definition "human made products and processes that extend human potential and satisfy human needs".

Examples of tech.

• Smart phones
• Cars
• Computers
• Pencil

Areas of tech

• Physical-transportation, manufacturing, and construction
• Info/communication-sending and recieving of information
• Bio Related-prostetics, human safety devices, environment, etc.

Tech resources

• Tools/machines/processes
• Materials
• People
• Capital
• Energy
• Time
• Information

Problem solving process

• Identify problem
• Set goals
• Research
• Create ideas
• Select the best idea
• Implement
• Test
• Feedback

Tech system models

• Open-allows interaction with outside environment
• Closed-no such interaction

Technology is a central part of everyday life in the period of exponential technology growth. I wake up on a bed, which is technology. I put on my clothes that were made through technological processes. I turn on the lights, which are technology as well. This continues throughout the day, I am almost constantly using some sort of technology  Technology gets me to school(cars), keeps me cool(AC), and and cooks my food(ovens). It also helps me live a healthy life through bio-medical advances. Simply put, technology affects nearly every aspect of my life. 

Introduction

"The advance of technology is based on making it fit in so that you don't really even notice it, so it's part of everyday life." -Bill Gates
My name is Matthew Lougheed and I am a sophomore this year(2013), part of the class of 2016. This is only the 2nd technology class I have taken after Digital Photography. I love penguins. I play many sports, such as hockey, tennis, and lacrosse. I am also a Boy Scout and am about to obtain my eagle rank.