Our Task
For this project we had two main tasks, our first task was with circuitry on small scale. We learned about breadboards and wiring and how to create small circuits. We then moved onto creating our own circuit and writing our own code to get the circuit to do what we wanted. For our second task, we had to design a micro grid electrical system for either Novato or San Marin High School.
Wind Turbine Experiment
For this experiment we were tasked with making wind turbine blades and testing them to see what qualities made them more effective. We tested the turbines and then had to make a poster displaying the data we collected and conveying our results.
Electromagnet Lab
For my group's lab, we decided to test if the material of a the core of an electromagnet affected it's strength. We tested different cores and wrote our results in a formal lab write up attached below. In the lab write up, I included our procedure, our materials, our data, our hypothesis and our results.
Robot Art Show
When we started working with breadboard we were tasked with making different circuits to get used to working with the materials. After many hours working with the bread board and completing the dreaded "Blinky Lights Quiz" we finally moved on to the Arduino board. While working with the Arduino board we started to learn code and computer language. Our assignment with the Arduino Boards was to complete 16 different circuits and take notes to learn the code language. After learning the code and mastering the circuits, we got to create our own circuit and write our own code to make the circuit function. For this project we chose to create a Christmas themed board...... in April. We decided to program the song Last Christmas by Wham! and complete the circuit theme by adding red and green lights which I set up and programmed in and decked the whole thing out with red and green wires (this caused a lot of awkward conversations of going to other groups and asking for a specific color wire). In the end the result was worth it because the circuit looked very awesome with our Christmas theme.
Designing a Microgrid
For this part of our unit we were tasked with designing a microgrid for either the city of Novato or San Marin High School. My group and I chose to do San Marin High School. We were given three days to make a presentation and plan our grid. However, my group personally had some some setbacks due to illness, each day of the project someone was absent and the one day I did come to school, both my teammates were absent. One of the things this part helped me learn was the importance of perseverance and communication when setbacks arose. My team and I did well with communicating and making sure everyone was working and aware of the changes and we managed to get the presentation done in the set time period. Below is our final presentation.
Concepts and Equations
- Circuit- a complete loop of conductive material from one side to the other power source to the other
- Voltage- potential energy different from one side of a component to the other
- Current- flow of charge through a circuit
- Resistance- the amount the current is slowed or resisted in an obstacle
- Series Circuit- resisting components one after another in a loop (current has to go through all components)
- Parallel Circuit- resisting components are on separate paths and current can go through either/ any path
- Power- The rate at which electricity is transferred by a circuit
- Ohm's Law- V=ir the equation for voltage
Reflection
In this project I had my ups and downs, as did my team mates. In this project I feel like I finally got a chance to improve my leadership abilities and work ethic and I did. I was able to keep up motivation throughout the project as I learned how to work with circuits and when we hit roadblocks. This unit was one I definitely enjoyed, while in the beginning it was a little boring. In the beginning the unit seemed uninteresting and boring but as we got more into the working with circuits and the hands on work I began to understand it more and began even enjoying it. I worked with my teammates to understand the code and got better at building circuits. I ended up setting up the circuits while my teammates took on the coding.
While I did have many ups on this project I also had my downs too, however I feel as they were fewer than on my last projects.I could have once again worked on my leadership and worked to help my group mates with understanding the circuits more. I could have also pitched in more with understanding the code and helping with that. I found that I struggled with understanding the code but many of my classmates did as well. I did improve on leadership overall however, so that is important to recognize.
While I did have many ups on this project I also had my downs too, however I feel as they were fewer than on my last projects.I could have once again worked on my leadership and worked to help my group mates with understanding the circuits more. I could have also pitched in more with understanding the code and helping with that. I found that I struggled with understanding the code but many of my classmates did as well. I did improve on leadership overall however, so that is important to recognize.