1. Explain how you used design thinking practices to arrive at this iteration of your toy/device.

To arrive at this iteration of my toy, me and my groupmate estimated a reasonable size for our model (house and base) to make sure that it would not be too big or too small, drew a detailed model with labels, specific measurements, and perspectives to make sure the size of our toy is precise, and that our toy is structured correctly, and lastly, we researched a simple circuit diagram and tutorial videos to prevent making mistakes.  

       2. Share your design concept–>show photos, measurements, materials, and techniques needed for construction. 

Materials: 

  • 3D printer (will be replaced by 6 pieces of wood) 
  • Color–>white 
  • 4 batteries 
  • 4 wood sticks 
  • 2 light bulbs 
  • 1 switch 
  • 1 ruler 
  • 1 pencil 
  • 1 paintbrush
  • 1 utility knife 
  • 1 battery container
  • Tape
  • Black paint
  • 50x50cm wood (base) 
  • 50×50 fake grass 
  • Glue gun  
  • Wires with clamps on it

The materials listed above are the materials that we planned to be using. However, problems occurred (will be later mentioned in blog post #4 about reflection) during the 3D printing process. Therefore, the 3D printer will be replaced by 6 pieces of wood. 

Measurements: 

  • House: 
  • 20cm long 
  • 10cm wide 
  • 10cm tall 
  • The roof of the house 
  • 20cm long 
  • 10cm wide 
  • Telegraph pole 
  • 30cm tall 
  • 10cm wide 

The measurements will stay the same with the 6 pieces of wood.

Techniques needed for construction: 

  • Using the glue gun to glue the parts together 
  • 3D modeling (failed)
  • Laser cutting wood
  • Painting

Picture of our final design ⬆️

       3. Develop a detailed plan for creating the preferred design, including success criteria.  

Plan/procedure: 

  1. Use TinkerCad to 3d model the house. 
  2. Use the 3d printer to print the model out. 
  3. Use the glue gun to glue the pieces (house, roof of the house) together. 
  4. Use the glue gun to glue the 4 wooden sticks together (telegraph pole). 
  5. Use the ruler and the pencil to measure the fake grass and wood (base). 
  6. Use the utility knife to cut the fake grass and wood (base). 
  7. Put the 4 batteries into  the battery container
  8.  Use the clamps on the wires to connect the batteries to the light bulb.
  9.  Use tape to stick the light bulb, wires, and batteries onto the 50x50cm wooden board (base).
  10. Use the utility knife to cut out part of the fake grass where the house and the telegraph pole is going to be.
  11. Use the glue gun to stick the 50x50cm fake grass onto the wooden board (base).
  12. Use the glue gun to stick the 6 pieces of wood together (house).
  13. Paint the inside of the house black, using black paint and a paintbrush.
  14. Use the glue gun to stick the 4 wooden sticks together (telegraph pole)
  15. Use the glue gun to stick the house onto the wooden board, keeping the light inside the house.
  16. Use the glue gun to stick the telegraph pole onto the wooden board beside the switch.

Success Criteria: 

  • I will be successful if: 
  • The light bulb can be successfully lit up and controlled by the switch. 
  • People can see the connection between the circuit diagram and real life.  
  • The intended audience can be educated about how the light switch & circuit diagram works, and where the electricity comes from.