9/28

Today we played around with the AutoCAD software which we need to use for our big statue that we are going to make with one piece. This software is linked to the laser cutter that we are going to use to cut the pieces for the statue and CAD means Computer Aided Drawing. Mr. Neale taught us the basic tools in AutoCAD and using those tools we needed to create a cylinder. We also needed to use the array tool because we may use it a lot for our next project.

AutoCAD home screen

Playing around with some tools

Cylinder

Array

HW: Create a shape for a test round next class

9/24

In todays class we firstly talked about our last project, which was the soft circuit LED light design project, and we talked about how we could make it better and what the steps were to making the project. We then moved onto the continuation of our designing of our next project. We all worked on what type of shape we wanted to make the next project and every group came up with different ideas and next class we are going to vote on one to use.

HW: weekly blog

9/17

Today in class, we continued working on our circuit project and finished them. Most of the people had different type of ideas such as lamps, masks, birthday cards, etc. Some people (including me) had some problems with their own projects but found out a way to clear that up and solved it. I think this project was really fun because we got to make anything we wanted but at the same time it was a bit difficult because we had to figure everything out ourselves. 

Here are some photos from this class:

 

9/15

Homework: none

In class today, we continued our projects from last class. Everyone's project are all coming along really well. We are all on to the building part of the project. Some students are making lamps while others are doing cards. Everyone's idea is creative and unique. Two people who are making the same thing put there ow twist on it. Doing this project can be messy and hard but it is really fun. The students have all come up with there own switch and have solved all of their problems.

Here are a few pictures of everyone's projects and work:

9/11

Homework: None

In class today, we built upon the circuits we created in the previous class. Each student had to research some ideas online for a project we would be doing involving lights. For example, many kids decided to create a lamp, and use their circuit to light up their creation. Others decided to make a light-up birthday cards or a face where the lights would be there in place of the eyes. Since most of us only got to the designing and planning stage this class, in the following one we will begin to create our projects.

Here are some photos from this class:

 

9/9

Today in class we learned about circuits and how electrons travel through circuits. This was taught to us using a flooding-classroom analogy. If there was plexiglass in the middle of the classroom and one half of the room was full of water while the other wasn't, what would happen if you drilled a small hole in the glass? The water would shoot out fast, which symbolizes the voltage. The voltage is the same as water pressure in the analogy. We tried making our own circuits with one battery, copper tape, and a LED lights.
Homework: none. 

9/6 monday 3D carboard models

On Monday during class we did our first 3D model of the shapes from the original sheet.  Everyone started with cardboard graph paper, knives, a cutting board, and scratch paper.  The first step when making the 3D models was to pick what shape we wanted to make, and sketch out its surface area on a piece of paper.   You would sketch the surface area because the surface area is equal to the shapes sides folded up.  Next, after we finished our sketch we transferred what we sketched on the extra paper to our graph papers and cut it out.  This is was only our first draft because it is not including the slots and folds that keep the shape together without tape and it was most likely not perfectly made.  After we cut this out, we made sure that our shapes is mainly put 

together before starting our second draft.  For the second draft you could either make a new sketch or add to your previous sketch the slots and folds you were going to add to make your shape stay together freely.  Once you have completed your sketch we  sketched the same design on our graph paper either the same or double the size of our previous shape.  After we sketched it on the graph paper we cut out our final model and checked to see if it worked.  If it ended up working that would be our final draft, but if it didn't we would have to complete a third draft for our final.

If you didn't finish the final model it was hw.