Work Log 3/17-3/20

What I did:

Tuesday: Christian and I tried refininf our new propeller blades for our water turbine, but to no avail. We will definitely need to remake our turbine. 

Wednesday: Day spent watching presentations: Short day

Thursday: Christian and I came up with the design for our new turbine, we mostly practiced for our presentation the next day. 

Friday: Presented. Rest of the day was spent refining design for water turbine and searching for materials. 

What my teammamtes did:

Tuesday: Chrstian helped me with brainstorming, Monica went over the PP. 

Wednesday: Short day

Thursday: Chrsitian, Monica and I practiced for our presentatrion the next day. 

Friday: Christian helped me in researching the water turbine materials that we would need. 

What I learned:

I learned about the really most efficient, and for us, most feasible option for our final water turbine. And some good presentational skills! 

Work Log: 3/9-3/11

What I did:

Monday: Christian and I worked on making the new blades for the turbine, which meant using the table saw to cut out PVC and using a heat gun to bend them in the right direction. 

Tuesday: The solar panelled car got damaged today, and stopped working, so I went out and bought a new one. I refitted it, and it works beter than the last, heavier, remote controlled car. It's also a Ferrari! 

Wednesday: We met with Spencer, and talked about our final weeks goals. Christian, who was a key person in the turbine construction, left early, so I spoke with Monica about our science presentation. 

What my teammates did:

Monday: Chrsitian helped me with making the blades for the turbine, while Monica worked on the PowerPoint. 

Tuesday: Chrsitian helped me in trying to fix the broken car, but it couldnt be fixed. 

Wednesday: Monica and I went over the PowerPoint, fixing some mistake and practicing. 

What I learned: 

I learned that a remote controlled car cannot withstand being around teenagers for too long, and that the best design for a turbine is the one based off a simple propeller. 

Work Log 3/2-3/6

What I did:

Monday: Christian and I worked on attaching the flaps to the wind turbine. 

Tuesday: I attached the solar panel to the larger, working car. Chrsitian and I discoveres some malfunctions in the turbine design. 

Wednesday: Christian and I attempted to improve on the design of the water turbine, by lining it, so no water would leak through. 

Thursday: I cleaned up the inside of the remote controlled car, made it neat, so the wires would not disconnect and become tangled, I also brought in a water pump for the turbine. 

Friday: Christian and I decided that we were going to completely refit the turbine design, since it wasnt working as good as we had hoped. 

What my teammates did:

All week, Christian and I worked on the physical projects, while Monica researched, and wrote the PowerPoint Presentation outline. 

What I learned: 

I learned from Christian on how we could improve ourturbine design, while Monica informed me on the mechanics of Solar Panels. 

Week 2/23-2/27

What I did:

Monday: Christian brought in his Turbine wheels (hamster wheels) and we tried figuring out a way to connect them, and create flaps. 

Tuesday: I brought in the remote controlled car and a frame that I had built for it, but due to electrical malfunctions, we cannot use the small car any longer.

Wednesday: I brought in zip-ties and metal strips, to tie the wheels together and to make flaps. It worked rather well.

Thursday: Christian and I figured out the best way to wire together the solar paneled car, and determined to buy a rechargeable 9V battery.

Friday:  Success!!! The solar powered car works fabulously!!!

What my teammates did: 

Monday: Christian brought in the wheels, and all three of us tried figuring out a way to connect them.

Tuesday: Christian and I worked on the frame of the car.  

Wednesday: Monica studied about Cubric Oxide, and Christian helped me connect the waterwheel and the flaps.

Thursday: Both teammates and I figured out how to wire the larger car. 

Friday: Christian and I got the car to work!

What I learned:

All wekk, i learned how to succesfully wire and create a solar powered and car, and how to make a decent water turbine! 

Week 2/17-2/20

What I did:

Tuesday: see prior post

Wednesday: Today Christian and I tried to figure out a way to charge the batteries of the car with the solar panel, until we realized we didnt have rechargeable batteries! Tomorrow I must bring those.

Thursday: Started making the homemade solar panels, which was an interesting experience. 

Friday: Finished the solar panels, started rewiring the car and Christian and I figured out a way to charge the batteries while the car was moving. 

What my teammates did:

Wednesday: Christian helped me fiddle with the car batteries and we checked in with Spencer. 

Thursday: Chrisitian and I made the solar panels today, although some help with cleaning up would have been nice. (Monica missing from school)

Friday: (Monica M.I.A. again) Christian helped with the solar panels and figuring out the way to remake the power source of the car. 

What I learned:

This week I helped figure out a way to rewire the car and how to make a body for the car we have strong enough to support the solar panel. 

 

2-17-09

What I did:

Today I hooked up the commercial solar panel to the little remote controlled car, with Christians help. And it worked! Sort of. For a split second. Chrsitian, Monica and I also worked on making the homemade solar panels as well.

What my teammates did:

Christian helped me with hooking up the solar panel to the car, and Monica helped me in making the homemade solar panels. 

What I learned:

I learned how to hook up a solar panels to a car!

2-13-09

What I did:

Today Christian and I took care of the remote controlled cars, which suffered some minor unjuries. I fixed the broken axle, which allowed the wheels to turn freely. 

What my teammates did:

Christian fixed the car when it broke in half, and Monica researched. 

What I learned:

I realized that copper plating is a bit more expensive than we imagined, running about $130 for a 4x10 sheet.