The project.
In this project we had to research a world problem and use the engineering design cycle to find a solution. My group chose maintaining wildfires because fires recently ravaged California. My group researched wildfires, what causes them, how they impact the environment and people around them, and then using the knowledge we learned from the research to come up with 20 or so possible (although unlikely) solutions. Then we narrowed down our selections to a few that where make fire retardant 'bombs' placed in forests that explode when exposed to heat, drones that carry fire retardant and drops it over fires, and drones that fly over wildfire-prone areas to scout out fires and alert fire departments.
We used the idea of a drone partoling an area to alert the fire department when a fire is detected
We used the idea of a drone partoling an area to alert the fire department when a fire is detected
Content.
For this project we used the engineering design cycle, described below
1. Identify need - we need to find a need that need to be met we chose wildfires.
2.Research the problem - After we chose wildfires we need to research wildfires to find more about the problem. Our group looked at 3 articles each and annotated them
3.Develop possible solutions - We brainstormed any solution no matter how unrealistic or crazy.
4.Select the most promising solution - We looked at out brainstormed options and narrow it down to 1 idea which we thought was the best. I was drones with thermal cameras scanning for fires and putting them out with fire retardant.
5.Construct a prototype - We went to Mr. Williams to talk about our idea because we couldn't make a physical prototype so he showed flaws in our design like a drone couldn't be powerful enough carry enough fire retardant to put out a fire.
6.Test and evaluate the prototype - Same as above because we couldn't make a physical prototype.
7.Communicate the design - We showed our design in a presentation shown above
8.Redesign - We had to redesign our drone when we talked to Mr. Williams, we changed our design from a drone with fire retardant to a drone with a thermal camera searching for fires, notifying the fire department when one is detected.
9.Repeat - We would have repeated the processes if we had time seeing that our project had major problems like price and problems with wildlife
1. Identify need - we need to find a need that need to be met we chose wildfires.
2.Research the problem - After we chose wildfires we need to research wildfires to find more about the problem. Our group looked at 3 articles each and annotated them
3.Develop possible solutions - We brainstormed any solution no matter how unrealistic or crazy.
4.Select the most promising solution - We looked at out brainstormed options and narrow it down to 1 idea which we thought was the best. I was drones with thermal cameras scanning for fires and putting them out with fire retardant.
5.Construct a prototype - We went to Mr. Williams to talk about our idea because we couldn't make a physical prototype so he showed flaws in our design like a drone couldn't be powerful enough carry enough fire retardant to put out a fire.
6.Test and evaluate the prototype - Same as above because we couldn't make a physical prototype.
7.Communicate the design - We showed our design in a presentation shown above
8.Redesign - We had to redesign our drone when we talked to Mr. Williams, we changed our design from a drone with fire retardant to a drone with a thermal camera searching for fires, notifying the fire department when one is detected.
9.Repeat - We would have repeated the processes if we had time seeing that our project had major problems like price and problems with wildlife
Reflection.
I think our group did a good job working together even though we had some problems. Some things I feel we could have done better is time management, we started off pretty slow not getting much done in the first few days then rushed in the finally days of the project and our presentation lacked because of it. I also didn't really enjoy this project that much, I felt that it was to slow partly due to our slow start and the break we had in the middle of the project.
I think I improved my presentation skills. In previous presentations I talk to fast and was to quite and wasn't looking at the audience, but I felt like I did a better job at this this presentation. Another thing I did well was my Work ethic even though I didn't particularly enjoy this project I felt like I was on task more than previous projects. I felt like this was one of my better projects in terms on staying on task and being focused and I learn a lot about wildfires.
I think I improved my presentation skills. In previous presentations I talk to fast and was to quite and wasn't looking at the audience, but I felt like I did a better job at this this presentation. Another thing I did well was my Work ethic even though I didn't particularly enjoy this project I felt like I was on task more than previous projects. I felt like this was one of my better projects in terms on staying on task and being focused and I learn a lot about wildfires.