Random Number Generator

Rube Goldberg Machine

Driving Question: How can I successfully communicate and complete tasks which promote the success of a classwide Rube Goldberg?

In this project, my group and I were tasked to make two steps for the class Rube Goldberg machine. We were responsible for making the second and tenth step of the project. For the second step, we made a conveyor belt for a foam golf ball (left photo) and for the tenth step we made 2 hammers to knock over the dominoes of the group before us. Both of our steps were activated by buttons pressed by the groups in front of us. Once all the different groups steps were combined, the Rube Goldberg machine ran through all sixteen steps, only needing to be touched four times to complete it. 

For this group project, I had to learn how to be a more effective communicator, how to persuade people and how to be more flexible with ideas. I learned a lot about being an effective communicator because, in this project, we needed to communicate with the groups before and after our group to make sure the transition from their steps to our steps worked seamlessly. I also learned a lot about persuading people. I learned this skill in this project when I needed to convince the first group to change their idea so we could do our idea of the conveyor belt. The last major thing I learned in this project was how to be flexible in changing ideas and adapted the ideas we already had to make them fit in better with the surrounding groups. While those were the three major things I learned in the project, I also gained more knowledge about how to build and code with the Vex V5 kits and how to integrate Vex parts into non Vex machines.  

Dream Differently PBL

Driving Question: How can I be successful in an ever-changing world?

This project started out with reading our summer reading book Dream Differently by Dr. Vince M. Bertram, this book told us about how the world is always changing, and new jobs are requiring new skills. After reading the book, I took that knowledge and started to do research about future careers, colleges, and internships that I think will help achieve my version of success. I then took that research and made an essay and presentation about my two careers, two colleges, and two internships.

In this project, I learned lots of new skills and knowledge that will be useful in the coming years. The first main skill I learned in this project was good research skills, doing things such as using credible sources and citing where I got my information. The second skill I learned during this project is how to make more professional presentations, and I learned a lot about what I need to do differently when presenting. I also learned a lot about my character traits. I work well on the fly, can see the big picture, enjoy finding simplicity in data, and need time to reflect. The one last big piece of information I learned during this project is how much college can really cost, I had always known it was expensive, but I had not fully understood how expensive until this project. In this project, I developed valuable research and presentation skills, learned about my personal strengths, and learned more about the true costs of college. 

Zoo Project

This was the final 3D model of our Koala Exhibit using the Fusion 360 software. From start to finish, we spent probably 3 weeks total. We had to do everything from research to writing about it and then producing the 3D model.  Due to limitations in our academy, we were unable to build a physical model, instead we spent a lot more effort building the 3D model and making the presentation on PowerPoint. 

In this project, I learned a lot of leadership skills trying to help keep my group members together and on task. I also learned a lot about presentation skills, communication, creative thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving.  

Automata 

In this project, we had to create a version of an automaton using Fusion 360. During this project, I learned how to animate parts within Fusion. This was a fun project that really helped push the limits of my 3d modeling skills.  

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