Makerspace Showcase: Evaluating the Solution

Describe detailed and relevant testing methods, which generate accurate data, to measure the success of the solution.

To measure the success of the solution, I am going to compare my finished product with my design specifications and see if the product accomplishes the design specs. To test some of the design specs, I will need to ask someone to test my "lounge chair", and also ask for some feedback.

Explain the success of the solution against the design specifications.

I think I am not extremely successful, but it wasn't too bad.

The first thing that my design spec says is that it has to be made out of newspaper stixx (not counting the zip ties and top covering), which it was, but no entirely. Those two metal rods plays a big role in the whole support of the chair, and they were not newspaper stixx. Also, there was a very thick stick that I found, it was my classmate's experiment and it was layers of newspaper wrapped around a wood stick, which I used for the part that supports the bottom (body part).

The second thing says that it should be able to support at least 60 kg. My classmate who was almost 60 kg sat on it and it was able to hold him for almost a minute (before I asked him to get down). However, I am a little more than 40 kg and it was able to support me for at least 5 minutes. And a classmate of mine who was 35 kg sat on it for 15 minutes and it is still fine. Speaking of support, it leans to one side a little and if the longer you stay on the chair, the more it leans. (Although it seems to stop when it leans to an extent).

The third thing is that it should be durable enough to be used sometimes (30 mins each time 3 times a week) for at least four months. That means 4-5 minutes every day for four months. This hasn't been tested by I think it would need to be adjusted every time after being sit on since it tilt/leans afterwards.

The next spec says that it has to be rock-able. Although it seemed to rock fine when you get up and do it by hand, it's hard rock when you are sitting on it.

The fifth spec says it has to be comfortable. I think it does well here. The cardboard and thin cloth I added on top feels dry and cool. I thick the whole shape of the "lounge chair" is natural and fits the shape of a body well. My classmate sat on it a couple times and he said it was comfortable. I haven't ask some taller people to try it yet. But I think the main people this is for is perhaps the grade 5s or 6s (who are about the same size as me).

Covered by cardboard for better look was the next design spec. I did cover it with cardboard but the cardboard was for more for comfort and extra support (even though messy newspaper stixx probably looks worse). The white cloth gives it a better, cleaner, and more comfortable look. After all, I did put a cardboard and I did make it look better. So this design spec is accomplished.

The last design specification says it should be less than 140cm in length, 80cm in width, and 90cm in height. It didn't pass the limit so it fit this design spec.

Describe how the solution could be improved

I was really hoping that it could rock, but it was hard to get it rocking when you actually sit on it. So I think after adding more stixx at the bottom, I can attach on more large piece of cardboard on the bottom. I think that would make the bottom rounder instead of having a spiky bottom, so it should be easier to rock on.

If I were to make a new one, I would also roll more and tight (and thick) newspaper stixx. That way, I have strong newspaper stixx which I can put close together for more support.

Describe the impact of the solution on the client/target audience

The purpose of this unit/project was to showcase what we have in our design class. It was to let others know what we do in this class. Tell them what is available in this class, how to use them. Unfortunately, the possibilities here that are showcased is only newspaper stixx and how to put them together. However, this project is also to inspire others to make things. I think my project was a very big project, and I think it should inspire the younger grades how much can be achieved and what can be made in this class. This lounge chair will be left at school, and it is something that kids can actually see and try physically, and I think it will be something that kids will find interesting or cool and will be inspired.

I think that using newspaper stixx to make a chair is a good method and I would definitely recommend using a newspaper stixx machine to make a chair like this. I think this material is great because it can actually be really strong, and newspapers are things we have daily access to, so you can roll a lot of stixx and make a chair out of many newspaper stixx. It is even better if your family reads newspapers, now you can upcycle it in a pretty fun and interesting way. Newspaper stixx are also easy to roll, cut and put together (using zip ties), so the imagination and creativity can be turned into reality probably quicker and easier than other materials, such as wood or cardboard (not as strong). It doesn't require a lot of practice or high-level skills. However, it does train a person's patience and time as you are putting small pieces together. If people are working as a group then it's even better. It is because there are many parts in the process of rolling, cutting, and assembling the stixx that require people to discuss and work together. Everyone would have to understand the design and skills well enough, and work can easily be split and done separately, so it also makes a great group project. Therefore, I would recommend a Newspaper Stixx rolling machine for making a chair like this.

Makerspace Showcase: Creating the Solution

Makerspace Showcase: Creating the Solution

Demonstrate excellent technical skills when making the solution

 (I forgot to take a picture of my chair with the cloth on top and a fixed "head and neck rest".

Construct a logical plan, which outlines the efficient use of time and resources, sufficient for peers to be able to follow to create the solution

I had a set of measurements and a drawing on how long each stixx will be and how far they would be from each other. My design was to have two identical sides and a row of sticks connecting the sides and supporting the actual person.

1. I was going to roll a lot of newspaper stixx. I was going to make about 100.
2. I was going to cut every stick with a saw for both sides and mark them. Most of the measurements were paired up with another, so that I turn one stick into two, and roll less stixx.
3. Then, I was going to make the two sides first by precisely tying them together with zip ties.
4. And then, I was going to use the sticks that were not cut (which are mostly the same length) to connect the two sides together and make the top and bottom. That was also going to be done using zip ties.
5. Afterwards, I was going put a surface on top which was very likely to be cardboard. It was so that people will not be lying on thin hard stixx with gaps between each of them, and to spread the pressure a little.

Follow the plan to create the solution, which functions as intended and is presented appropriately
and
-explain changes made to the chosen design and the plan when making the solution.

1. I rolled about 70 newspaper stixx.
2. I started to cut them according to my measurements. I looked at the measurements, measured the correct length and cut it. Afterwards, I gave them a number according the their position in my list. (I turned most of the stixx into two). I only finished cutting the stixx for one side for this part. This is because I didn't have enough stixx, and it was time to start assembling the pieces.
3. I assembled the first side, and this part is basically just using zip ties to tie all the pieces / stixx together. I started with the part for the head because I marked the stixx from the front to the back. (The first few stixx I had someone hold them when I tied the zip ties diagonally for each interception, ending up with little crosses). I only had the back part (part for the legs) left before the main stick snapped. That stick connected the sections together. Since I was missing that part, I couldn't continue the leg part.
4. Then, I remembered that I collect two metal rods from an old laundry hanger that was going to be thrown away. So I brought them to school and replaced the original "main stick" with one of them. And then I finished that side. I thought it was great because the thickness of the rod is close to the newspaper stixx and it is really strong and hard to break.
5. Since I found out it took a lot of time referring to the measurements, cutting the stixx, and marking them, then sorting them out. I decided I would start with the metal rod and build the new side on top of the completed side (the completed side was strong and also rolled fine when I tried by hand). And I cut each stick and zip tie them immediately. Even if it sounds inefficient, it was actually a quicker process than cutting all the stixx and trying to find the right one. It was also easier and more convenient. For this side, I also used a plier to tighten the zip ties which was much easier and less painful than doing by hand. This part went much smoother and there wasn't much challenging about making this side since I had some experience with tying and cutting the newspaper stixx already.
6. In the middle of step 5, I actually had to roll more newspaper stixx because the ones left were poorly rolled and were not strong enough.
7. Afterwards, I picked the strongest newspaper stixx left and made the top of the "chair", which also connected the two sides and allowed it to balance on its own. For this part, I had to use long zip ties because there were three sticks for one intersection point. Most of the stixx were of the same length and I kept that approximate length. So I did not cut any stixx for this step. The stixx left were not the strongest ones, so I had to use more of them and put them closer than I expected for the bottom and back part. I didn't connect the bottom of the sides because I was out of stixx and running out of time. This made an unfixed distance on the base and made the chair tilt easily when people sat on it. Therefore, I added a cross brace for both the front and the back and at the bottom.
8. This part was when I added the cardboard on the top. The cardboard makes the chair more comfortable to lie on, spreads the pressure from the weight of a person, and also acts as stixx since it goes beyond the sides. I found a big cardboard box in the class and cut it out so it's not too wide and I left the end extended so not the feet can also be placed, not just the legs. Then, I poked holes with scissors so I could tie a zip tie around a small section of the cardboard and tie it to the stick available below. I did a couple of these throughout the cardboard so it is fixed and secured.
9. Then I added a piece of thin white cloth on top of the cardboard. That way it looks a better, and will perhaps feel better than just a piece of cardboard.

Modigliani-Style Self Portrait Reflection

I don't think what I did was the best I could do, but I think it's a fine result and process.

I picked Modigliani because I didn't hear or know much about him and his style before, I wanted to have a better knowledge on that. Therefore, I chose to modify his drawing into my self-portrait. I think it is a good choice. To choose three drawings, I just browsed the web and see which ones more complexity not including the face. Because I would be changing the face, but I wanted it to be more recognisable the original drawing more easily recognised. Two of my three sketches were good, so I asked for some opinions and feedback, and decided to do what I did. Now, I feel like perhaps it would be more different from previous experiences if I went with Picasso, since his style is really unique and I have never tried it. Next time, I would go for something unique and new.

I picked red and green for the coat, yellow for the background. These were my main colours. I chose red because it was a very very eye-catching colour that attracts attention really well. Then, I chose green to make it an odd combination on purpose. This was to give it contrast and make it more appealing and interesting to look at. The reason I picked yellow for the background was also because of contrast. It was also a light colour unlike the colour of the body and hat, which allows makes the body stand out more. I also avoided dark colours because a serious, deep wasn't the mood I wanted. And yellow is also similar to glowing light from behind.

I blended the colours for my skin and beard (and hair) quite well. Both colours were tested a few times on another piece of paper. Before I coloured it in, when I copied it down to the A3 paper from my sketch, I way paying attention to the proportions and I also made a few changes to the proportions of my facial features. I think that also went pretty well. After I had coloured it in, I added thick and dark outlines to separate parts more clearly (and to cover some pencil strokes). It took me some effort to make the colouring thick. However, I didn't pay a lot of attention to the dirt on the background when colouring it in with yellow, mostly because I didn't have much time. But seeing this result, I will always remember to make sure the surface is clean before colouring it in with light colours.

Except for some of the facial features, and the tie (I take stuff seriously), I haven't really thought of how the portrait reflects who I am. Which is why it is not a very good portrait. Or if I had to come up with something, I would say I try to get people's attention a lot, but unlike the drawing, I don't attract attention that much. However, the contrasting colours can be compared my attitude, which changes a lot at different times.

Math: Pyramids Assignment - Investigating & Application

Pyramids Investigation & Application Assignment

In this assignment, we basically looked at different parts of a pyramid. Especially the slant height on their sides. We were given the formula on how to find the slant height of a pyramid when given the base and vertical height of a pyramid. We were then to find out how the equation works. The Pythagorean theorem is applied into the formula basically. Then, we looked at some Aztec Pyramids (ones with a flat top) and equations on finding the slant height of an Aztec Pyramid. This time we were asked to explain how the equation works. It also uses the Pythagorean theorem and also the properties of trapezoids. Then, we were asked to apply our knowledge of these equations to find different measurements with the other measurements of a true pyramid. Then, we were asked to make a net for a pyramid only provided with the base and the vertical height of it. In this assignment, I did pretty well - 7/8 for investigation and 7+/8 for Application.

Science: Wave Technologies (Rex & Phillip)

Science Ultraviolet Radiation Introduction & Technologies

https://drive.google.com/a/huskymail.cis.edu.sg/file/d/0B3W2TnKf20njM2pidGtiVkpRZ1U/view?usp=sharing

The above is the link to a video (too big to embed) about what ultraviolet radiation is, with its wavelength, how it's discovered, what technologies it is used in, what are the pros and cons of the technology. There was a calculation mistake with the speed of Ultraviolet Radiation though.

In this project, and Phillip was my partner. I made a lot of decisions, and we both agreed on making a video instead of a poster of slides which we can do. I knew it would be challenging since I have never tried to make a narrative video before with markers and a whiteboard (based on ASAP Science on Youtube). However, I thought it is a good skill to learn since I might use it in my other presentations in the future. I also wanted to do something that is new and make the presentation interesting. And of course, I thought it would be fun. Thus, I took the risk.

I ended up using a lot more than 6 hours in total to complete this. We researched our sources, and then I came up with the main things to present. After that, I prepared a whiteboard with different coloured markers (and tissues), with my phone as my camera. I tried to use time-lapse, but it was too fast, so I had to record it again and again, and import it to iMovie to edit - changing speeds and adding transitions. Next, I came up with a script which Phillip used for this video.

It was a lot of hours. However, I think I practised and tried this presentation technique and I am definitely going to be way better in it than others the next time. Next time, I might try to separate the work equally so I can take some rest. I also learnt that sometimes things don't have to be perfect, and we should do our best but not start destroying our bodies.

Science One World Investigation Project

Science Solar Cooker

For this project, we had to use our knowledge about refraction, reflection, and some previous knowledge of insulation to make a device that can heat up food using the heat from the sun, with portability, serving the purpose of cooking food in areas that lost or do not have access to fire or electricity.

For this project, I went with a small solar cooker at first. I chose that because I wanted it to be portable, and I thought that a smaller space would allow the radiation to be more focused (trapped and condensed) in the container. It turns out it couldn't collect enough energy with that small area. Moreover, there was a failure of using reflection to aim to a hole into the container. Also, I added too many layers that were suppose to absorb heat and keep the heat in, but all it did was keep the heat out. After the first trial, I left it at school so I had to create a new one and conduct more trials.

First solar cooker design

The second design I came up with was a transparent one. It has a built-in thermometer so the temperature could be observed easily. It was also transparent so heat / infrared radiation can come in from any angle. The design was simple and easy to use. The magnifying glass serves as a transparent cover but also focuses heat into one spot. I made some improvements and finally covered a tissue box with aluminium foil so there is a bigger are that collects the radiation. The aluminium foil also prevents radiation going in, out of the plastic bottle and away, but reflects it back in the bottle again.

These ideas were based on my knowledge, and the idea of the tissue box is from other solar ovens. I tried to not do the same as all the others I have found. I tried to be different. The second design was much better than the first one. The results were about 10ºC every 15 minutes. But what I heard of my classmates' was much higher. So next time, before getting too confident, I would consider why everyone else on the internet uses the same design and find out the reason behind it. However, it was a fun and great learning experience.

My lab report:

https://docs.google.com/a/huskymail.cis.edu.sg/document/d/1cAgRIMCxfqDhfQnJLIvtzPvb_1EenaHnTV565eDYBjA/edit?usp=sharing

Maths: The Math of Forensics - Unit 3 Assessment

Math of Forensics - Application Assignment

This is an application assignment, meaning we have to apply math to a real-life situation. In this assignment, we are applying math to forensics - the study of crime scene evidence. There are different "branches" of forensics, such as DNA, fingerprinting, car accidents, ballistics (gun-shots).

There were three different parts to it. The first is about the length of bones in our bodies. We were to measure the length of some (fake paper) bones from the different body parts of a "dead person". Then, we were to use math equations for men and women and compare it to the provided measurements of bones of three people. Afterwards, we were to hypothesise whom the bones belonged to and explain. I did very bad on this part since I forgot to take it home the day before this part was due, and so I didn't finish even half of it.

The second part is about a car accident. We received another booklet and we were to follow the instructions of an online activity. We examined car(drawing)s - how and where they are damaged; took notes from (cartoon) witnesses; substituted our (online) measurements into equations to find collision speeds and impact forces on people.

The third part is a "crime scene" that was set up at school by the teacher to represent the road the road outside the school. For this part, we made measurements of tire marks and the distance between body and point of collision. Next, we read some short "witness statements" and took important notes. Afterwards, we substituted our measurements into formulas involving drag factors and brake percentages. The formulas were complicated so we didn't really learn what's behind them. But for this part, we had to understand them a little more to find the thinking distance, and what how long would he need to brake before the pedestrian if he wasn't speeding.

I got 7 for KU, 5 for Comm, 3- for App. I didn't do very well for application because I didn't finish the first part so I couldn't hypothesise with the mathematical data. And I didn't have enough time to answer "would the car have collided with the pedestrian". They were the main parts where math was applied the real life situations to find solutions. But I didn't do them. So I didn't do very well on this assignment. I think I will remember to take my work home to finish and be more responsible. I will also try to work quicker the next time and arrange my time better.