Give an overview of your design process, sharing the product & your learning.

My design process was overall successful. With many obstacles on the way, we still managed to finish the design.  Below is our final product. Next to it is the wiring and electrical system inside. In my designing process, I did many attempts at technology but failed many times. However, I keep on working on my model. Which led me to a finished model. Another big obstacle is electrical wiring. I watched many online Tutorials on how to create a lighting system, in which I did find a suitable one. However, as I tried the tutorial, I realized that many light bulbs didn’t light up as the tutorial showed. I struggled for a long time and I watch the video multiple times. At the last, I finally notice that the voltage of the battery I use is not powerful enough for 2 light bulbs and the transitioning process. One lightbulb requires 1.7V and I need two of them, while my batteries only have 2V in total. After adding two more batteries, my lighting system finally work properly. Everything else than the electricity went smoothly, with me carefully measuring the areas of grass/ decorative items, and following my steps. However, My mistake with the light system taught me the important things about scientific modeling — care and patience. Under my constant observation, I found and corrected my mistakes, which also brought the project back to life when it might have failed. This is the most important thing for me to learn from this experiment.

Use the rubric & your success criteria to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the product.

In the HS-PS3-3, the rubric states that “Design, build, and refine a device that works within given constraints to convert one form of energy into another form of energy”. Reflecting on this, I was able to design, build and refine a device, which explains energy transformation. My model educates children about energy transformation from electrical t light. This type is energy transformation is crucial to our daily life, from powering a car to lighting up a house, which is what I decided to make. In my model, I used a telephone pole to represent the source of electricity, this is because, in a regular household, electricity is often powered by the poles that Carried electricity, transmitting electricity into the household. Since it is impossible to build a functioning full system of how electricity is distributed from its origin, I decided to use a telephone pole to represent it. This is what I think my product’s strength is: using a simple and understandable model to explain a complex concept that is difficult to understand by an early elementary student. One weakness of the product is the details. In my product, I think that the overall structure and design are fine, but the details such as the connecting point from the house to the ground, windows, and doors need more work. If we had more time, we might be able to make it better and have a better decoration for our roof, which also count as details. Overall, it was a good model.

  Explain how and why your toy/device meets the design specifications.

As explained above, my model explains the conversion of electrical energy into light energy. This is fundamental but important energy conversion. My model Simple models allow my clients, early elementary school students, to see at a glance what energy is being converted. Electrical energy, which I represent with telephone poles, is familiar to many elementary school students, who understand that there is electricity in these poles and that they are connected to the home. Light energy, I use a home shape to represent. This is because pupils are most familiar with home and school, and know that they need to use light to make their homes light up. Such a simple model allows elementary school students to understand a concept (energy transformation) that may be complex for them. Outside of the model, I have a drawing of my circuit, which contains some basic circuit representations, such as batteries and light bulbs. This allows elementary school students to learn how energy transformation takes place, and how electricity is turned into light to illuminate their homes, after receiving simple models.

Other reflections: What are you most proud of? What was most challenging?

The thing that I am most proud of is also what is the most challenging part, which is overcoming problems. At the beginning of the design, I thought it would be a very simple model that would just be 3D-printed and wired. But the truth is that it’s not that simple. As an electrical novice, I had little understanding of wires and batteries. On the day of my production, many people who could help me were absent, but I was able to finish my work with the help of a few. At the same time, during my production, the failure of 3d printing delayed my plan a lot, but I was still able to complete it within time, and when faced with difficulties, I thought outside the box to solve the difficulties. To me, that’s was I am most proud of.

video of my device 

Blog Post #3

1. Reflect on your prototype. What were some strengths? What needs refinement?

My prototype didn’t succeed as we planned, since our 3D piece was too big for the printer, which led to the edge bending, and not having a final 3d design. So we switch to laxer cuts, which I was able to finish in less than a class. (shown in the image below) , after finishing the laser cutting model, everything else went according to plan. One of the strengths of our design is that we can quickly adapt to new obstacles, and face problems with quick and doable a solution. One thing that needs refinement is the atheistic approach to our model. In the beginning, I wanted to use 3d printing, but I didn’t think about the look of the house, whether we need to add color or additional design. This allows us to switch to the laser cut, where the house is plain wood and the wires inside are visible.

2. Outline the feedback you received from peers. Share some changes you will make as a result of this feedback.

One of the feedback that we get is that the light inside the house is minimal to see, after getting this feedback, we add a black background (we color the inside of the house black. Statistically speaking, white is brighter and more reflective. But the black contrast is even more striking). Which did result in more visible light.

3. Include photos of your prototype and details of the feedback received.

This is the prototype before the house and decor were placed

Blog Post #2

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

To arrive at this iteration of my device, I went through several design thinking processes. First, to start my design of the device, I have to make sure my measurement of the device will be accurate, at the model that I drew, I make sure to draw out all the measurements of my model. Then, I Decide on the materials I will be using, this is also included in the drawing of the model. At last, we figured out how to correctly use and understand the wires and electrical Structures. This process helps me to be sure that my model will be successfully made with zero to no mistakes.

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

Shown are some of the materials that I will be using, including fake grass for decoration, and stick for the telephone pole. There is also a sketch model of the prototype we will be making. This includes the measurements and materials of the prototype. Some of the techniques we will be using include 3d printing, glue guns, sanding, cutting wood, and connecting wires

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

First, after sending the 3d printing model to print, we find a wooden piece that is 50*50, if not possible, laser cut or cut by hand. Then, find materials for the lighting system and finish the wiring by following instructions online. After, label out the areas that will be decorated with grass and other objects. Then, I will securely the finish light system on the 50*50 platform. Then, place and secure the finished 3D model onto the platform. At last, we add grass and other decor on top and check everything.