Freshman Year Science - Physics
Instrument Project
After we studied sound waves and concepts, we completed a project applying the concepts of sound waves to the construction and playing of an instrument. I was partnered with Will and due to lack of inspiration, we decided to build a wave tank. We had completed a water test and our tank was holding water. At exhibition, our wave tank leaked! This was a very disappointing turn out for me. At exhibition, we took the opportunity to teach our observers about waves and to describe to them our mistakes in the process of building. We explained how we would change the process if we could go back in time.
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Wave Tank Reflection
Did your build go according to plan? Why or why not?
Our build went mostly according to plan. My partner and I only changed a couple of characteristics of our wave tank. In the beginning, we planned to have two or four motors on the wave tank in order to demonstrate diffraction and refraction. Soon after we began shopping for windshield wiper motors, we realized that they were too expensive to use for a science project (they cost $70 per motor). We ended up having to hand-make our own motors using robotics gears and parts. The construction of the motor took so long that we only had time to assemble one. That was the only big difference between our original plans and our final product.
If you could start the project over, what would you do differently?
If I had the chance to start over on this project, I probably would have opted to challenge myself a little more. There are plenty of really radical instruments in the world and I wish that I would have done the research and come up with a more creative project. I think that I would have even been open to making a cigar box guitar because it ended up that not many people made a cigar box guitar. The exotic and unique instruments are really going to stand out, especially at the exhibition, and if I could start over, I would have tried to make one of those exotic and unique instruments.
What were the most difficult parts of building it and how did you problem-solve to find a solution?
For us, the most difficult part of the building process was building the motor. As soon as we realized that we couldn’t buy one of the windshield wiper motors, we decided to construct a motor. This was difficult for us because we had to construct a motor from scratch and somehow attach a board to it. The motor had to run and push the paddle back and forth. On the day that the instrument was due, the motor was finished, but unreliable. It would turn but wouldn’t function the way we desired. We still have refinement to complete and hopefully by exhibition, our wave tank will be fully functional.
Were you able to work disputes or disagreements out with your partner?
Yes, after a good amount of argument, we were able to come to an agreement about what to use for the motor. Will was very committed to buying a windshield wiper motor, but he had already bought all of the supplies for the wave tank and I wasn’t willing to spend $70 for one part of my project. I finally convinced Will that it wasn’t necessary to spend that much money and we could construct our own motor. Other than that, we didn’t have that many disagreements. I did end up noticing, towards the end of the object, that we had a bit of a concentration problem and that we weren’t working as efficiently as possible.
Our build went mostly according to plan. My partner and I only changed a couple of characteristics of our wave tank. In the beginning, we planned to have two or four motors on the wave tank in order to demonstrate diffraction and refraction. Soon after we began shopping for windshield wiper motors, we realized that they were too expensive to use for a science project (they cost $70 per motor). We ended up having to hand-make our own motors using robotics gears and parts. The construction of the motor took so long that we only had time to assemble one. That was the only big difference between our original plans and our final product.
If you could start the project over, what would you do differently?
If I had the chance to start over on this project, I probably would have opted to challenge myself a little more. There are plenty of really radical instruments in the world and I wish that I would have done the research and come up with a more creative project. I think that I would have even been open to making a cigar box guitar because it ended up that not many people made a cigar box guitar. The exotic and unique instruments are really going to stand out, especially at the exhibition, and if I could start over, I would have tried to make one of those exotic and unique instruments.
What were the most difficult parts of building it and how did you problem-solve to find a solution?
For us, the most difficult part of the building process was building the motor. As soon as we realized that we couldn’t buy one of the windshield wiper motors, we decided to construct a motor. This was difficult for us because we had to construct a motor from scratch and somehow attach a board to it. The motor had to run and push the paddle back and forth. On the day that the instrument was due, the motor was finished, but unreliable. It would turn but wouldn’t function the way we desired. We still have refinement to complete and hopefully by exhibition, our wave tank will be fully functional.
Were you able to work disputes or disagreements out with your partner?
Yes, after a good amount of argument, we were able to come to an agreement about what to use for the motor. Will was very committed to buying a windshield wiper motor, but he had already bought all of the supplies for the wave tank and I wasn’t willing to spend $70 for one part of my project. I finally convinced Will that it wasn’t necessary to spend that much money and we could construct our own motor. Other than that, we didn’t have that many disagreements. I did end up noticing, towards the end of the object, that we had a bit of a concentration problem and that we weren’t working as efficiently as possible.
Rube Goldberg Project - Partners With Riley
The purpose of this Rube Goldberg Project was to make a series of steps that results in one simple task. Riley and I chose the task of closing a book. I was proud of our work although refinement could have been accomplished. We at first planned on spray painting this project, but in the end ran out of time.
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Bottle Rocket Project - Partners With Natalie
In the bottle rocket design project, we were paired with a partner and asked to build a new design of a rocket of to replace a recently retired rocket. You were only allowed to use plastic bottles to construct the body of your bottle rocket. The rocket you build has to have a body and a parachute must deploy at some point in flight. You could also add fins and a nosecone to your rocket to make it more aerodynamic and your project cannot be propelled by dry ice.
Natalie and I decided to go with a more simple design. We used one two liter bottle for the body of our bottle rocket. We added three fins and a nosecone. During the exhibition, our rocket launched successfully and the parachute deployed. The parachute DID slow down our bottle rocket and we had a successful project.
Natalie and I decided to go with a more simple design. We used one two liter bottle for the body of our bottle rocket. We added three fins and a nosecone. During the exhibition, our rocket launched successfully and the parachute deployed. The parachute DID slow down our bottle rocket and we had a successful project.
Design An Experiment - Partners With Natalie
High Altitude Question
How does extra flour in brownie mix affect the turn out of the brownies?
Research
When we researched the idea of adding extra flour to brownies, the only information that we could find was that adding flour to brownies made the brownies drier.
Initial Hypothesis
When you put extra flour in brownie mix, the brownies will turn out taller and/or puffier because the density of the batter is greater.
Want to read more? Click Here!
How does extra flour in brownie mix affect the turn out of the brownies?
Research
When we researched the idea of adding extra flour to brownies, the only information that we could find was that adding flour to brownies made the brownies drier.
Initial Hypothesis
When you put extra flour in brownie mix, the brownies will turn out taller and/or puffier because the density of the batter is greater.
Want to read more? Click Here!
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Animas High School Durango, Colorado 81301Updated on November 16, 2011