Rile 'Em Up: Physics
For the Physics portion of the Rile 'Em Up project, we had to create a butterfly that is able to light up and move its wings. We had to build a mechanical system that moves the wings and a circuit for the lights. My butterfly fortunately worked and it functions beautifully, the lights turn on while the wings are flapping up and down. However, the movement is a bit on the spazzy side, but it still works either way.
I got the most help from Ricky during this project because he helped me with the mechanical system, he told what things I needed to fix, and he helped me with some of the assembly. He gave me reasons why my mechanical system wasn't working when it didn't work and how to change them, and by using that feedback I was able to create a successful butterfly. Many other people helped me like Bonnie May, Natalie Au, Lorenli Cloes and Mr Schwartz, but the most of the help was from Ricky.
In this project, I made a butterfly that moves its wings and lights up. I learned how to build a mechanical system that works with a motor, and it is very simple if the wood pieces are the right length and none of the wood is split. I also learned how to build an electrical circuit that is in series and in parallel. I learned that it is way easier to create an electric circuit than a mechanical system. I had to figure out ways to fix whatever broke and so that developed my thinking and problem solving skills.
Something that went well was the creation of the wings as a whole and the connection of the wires. It was very simple to make the wings out of copper because it is easily shaped, plus the mylar went onto the wings easily so I had no trouble with that. SOme struggles I had was that my mechanical system kept breaking and the wood was splitting, so it was very hard to make the system work. Finally I was able to find out what was wrong and I fixed the issues so that it could work.
Concerning work ethic, I feel I stayed on task with my butterfly and I never gave up when it became very challenging. When it broke, I would find what was wrong with it and fix it. I never gave up on my project because I knew that it was possible for me to complete it, even though I didn't think that in the beginning of this project. I think I could improve by asking a variety of people for help instead of students that I am comfortable with. It would help me broaden my ideas to make my butterfly the best it could possibly be.
I would change this project by having more time because the butterflies were constantly breaking and many didn't work. This would make students stress out and get agitated, which is not the funnest thing in the world. By having more time, I feel we could make our butterflies the best it could be without getting stressed. Otherwise, I enjoyed this project because it was really hands on and I had fun with it.
I got the most help from Ricky during this project because he helped me with the mechanical system, he told what things I needed to fix, and he helped me with some of the assembly. He gave me reasons why my mechanical system wasn't working when it didn't work and how to change them, and by using that feedback I was able to create a successful butterfly. Many other people helped me like Bonnie May, Natalie Au, Lorenli Cloes and Mr Schwartz, but the most of the help was from Ricky.
In this project, I made a butterfly that moves its wings and lights up. I learned how to build a mechanical system that works with a motor, and it is very simple if the wood pieces are the right length and none of the wood is split. I also learned how to build an electrical circuit that is in series and in parallel. I learned that it is way easier to create an electric circuit than a mechanical system. I had to figure out ways to fix whatever broke and so that developed my thinking and problem solving skills.
Something that went well was the creation of the wings as a whole and the connection of the wires. It was very simple to make the wings out of copper because it is easily shaped, plus the mylar went onto the wings easily so I had no trouble with that. SOme struggles I had was that my mechanical system kept breaking and the wood was splitting, so it was very hard to make the system work. Finally I was able to find out what was wrong and I fixed the issues so that it could work.
Concerning work ethic, I feel I stayed on task with my butterfly and I never gave up when it became very challenging. When it broke, I would find what was wrong with it and fix it. I never gave up on my project because I knew that it was possible for me to complete it, even though I didn't think that in the beginning of this project. I think I could improve by asking a variety of people for help instead of students that I am comfortable with. It would help me broaden my ideas to make my butterfly the best it could possibly be.
I would change this project by having more time because the butterflies were constantly breaking and many didn't work. This would make students stress out and get agitated, which is not the funnest thing in the world. By having more time, I feel we could make our butterflies the best it could be without getting stressed. Otherwise, I enjoyed this project because it was really hands on and I had fun with it.