Creative Engineering Design
What We Did
For this project, I was in a group with Joe Malliaras, Tony Molloy, and Zach Roesler. We brainstormed alot of ideas, but had no specific idea on what to do. We thought of resources, overpopulation, and pollution. After a few days of thinking, our group managed to settle on creating a bulletproof helmet.
Then we set off on designing. The first thing that we needed to do was find the dimensions of the helmet and create a model of it. So we used Zach's head as a mold and put aluminum foil around his head. Next, we put a layer of duct tape over the aluminum foil. After that, we cut air holes and placed goggles in the mask. The we added copper wiring to the mold to strengthen the frame. Next we covered the copper wiring with more duct tape. The final step was putting padding into the helmet. After that, the helmet was finished. But we had one last problem. The padding did not protect your hair from sticking to the duct tape. So we used a bandana to keep your hair from sticking to the duct tape.
Concepts
In this project, I did not learn many or use many physics concepts. But we did learn about the engineering design cycle and what it has to do with physics. The engineering design cycle has seven main parts to it. They are:
1. Define the problem/identify the need
2. Research
3. Brainstorm solutions
4. Chose a plan
5. Construct a prototype
6. Test and evaluate
7. Redesign or communicate
Reflection
My group worked very well together. We were very comfortable working together and therefore we got the job done. Some things that we could have improved on was time management and focus. Our group took great steps in completing the project when we were focused. But when we were not focused, we were not managing our time. This was two problems that our group encountered. Other that that, this was a great project that I learned a lot from.
For this project, I was in a group with Joe Malliaras, Tony Molloy, and Zach Roesler. We brainstormed alot of ideas, but had no specific idea on what to do. We thought of resources, overpopulation, and pollution. After a few days of thinking, our group managed to settle on creating a bulletproof helmet.
Then we set off on designing. The first thing that we needed to do was find the dimensions of the helmet and create a model of it. So we used Zach's head as a mold and put aluminum foil around his head. Next, we put a layer of duct tape over the aluminum foil. After that, we cut air holes and placed goggles in the mask. The we added copper wiring to the mold to strengthen the frame. Next we covered the copper wiring with more duct tape. The final step was putting padding into the helmet. After that, the helmet was finished. But we had one last problem. The padding did not protect your hair from sticking to the duct tape. So we used a bandana to keep your hair from sticking to the duct tape.
Concepts
In this project, I did not learn many or use many physics concepts. But we did learn about the engineering design cycle and what it has to do with physics. The engineering design cycle has seven main parts to it. They are:
1. Define the problem/identify the need
2. Research
3. Brainstorm solutions
4. Chose a plan
5. Construct a prototype
6. Test and evaluate
7. Redesign or communicate
Reflection
My group worked very well together. We were very comfortable working together and therefore we got the job done. Some things that we could have improved on was time management and focus. Our group took great steps in completing the project when we were focused. But when we were not focused, we were not managing our time. This was two problems that our group encountered. Other that that, this was a great project that I learned a lot from.
This is Zach wearing our helmet that we designed. In this picture, the helmet does not have a the copper wiring strengthening the frame of the helmet.