Post-Competition Reflection

Yesterday we completed our project by enduring the competition day. Things didn't go quite as planned, as were warming up with everything going well. We were getting some long hurls, and it was fairly consistent when we were consistent in setting it up. However, the trebuchet didn't come through, as it hurled a really short distance during the first couple throws. For the accuracy part, our trebuchet generally shot in the right direction, however it seemed to go farther than the hoop. Our trebuchet shot the ball 260.1 meters from the central target.

Our completed trebuchet

 

One of our hurls - 10.5 m

If I could modify our trebuchet to improve its performance rate, I would likely include a release system in order to improve consistency. This would allow our pouch to leave its spot from the same place each time.

If I could design and build a completely new trebuchet, I would design it in a way that makes the arm a bit more sturdier and consistent. I think we could've made our trebuchet better if we had made it taller, however we were a bit confused about the requirements as we were building it.

Things that went well: I think our team work ethic worked well, as we were able to meet out of school with our whole group to work on the project. We came through in trying to work around each individual schedule. We came up with supplies, and were able to use our problem-solving skills to get through obstacles.

Future recommendations: I would recommend that future students manage their time well, and don't leave the project to the last minute. If they are given the chance to choose their partners, I would recommend they do this in order to ensure they are with someone they can work well with.

Front view

Test Day Trebuchet

On Test Day, our group was able to make some excellent progress. We started off by making our ball go straight up in the air, but by making minor adjustments, such as shortening the string, etc. We now need to add supports in order to strengthen our trebuchet and cut down our weight axle. These are changes we think will be very effective.

                                                This was our trebuchet as we were building it

Cardboard Trebuchet Project

For part of our Challenge Project, we had to build miniature cardboard trenuchets in order to give us an idea how to build the real ones. The whole point was to try and apply our physics knowledge with our building skills to build it. We used balancing principles (with the weights), and trajectory concepts (the angle of release being 45 degrees).

Some performance factors were the angle of release, and the amount of counterweights. Some environmental factors included the glue maintaining its elasticity, and the string not fraying over time.

 

 

Field Trip Reflection

On Thursday, October 11th, our Physics class (along with power mech class) went to Brandon to check out the Hydro plant and ACC. In my mind, what stands out as the most interesting part of the Hydro plant was seeing inside the burner where all the coal is burned, and just feeling/seeing the intesity of the fire. The most interesting part of ACC was checking out the different classes and seeing familiar faces, because that isn't something you get to do on a daily basis. I think that if we had checked out different colleges/universities as well as ACC that it would've been more beneficial to me, because the part we viewed was pretty much different variations of power mechanics only. On this trip, I learned that the majority of the smoke that you see from Hydro plants is actually just water vapour, and it isn't pollution at all.

Game Day Results

      Our egg container appeared to have worked well! It was 92.2g with no egg inside of it, and it was rougly 10cm X 15cm X 8cm. Our container (with the egg inside) fell a distance of 5 meters and it took 0.81 seconds. After a much-anticipated drop, our egg was found to be completely unharmed and crack-free! In total, our team had an overall score of 134.86 points.

      I felt that when building our container, the thing that was most restricting was the fact that we weren't allowd to use a parachute on our container. I felt this because it was the first thing that came to my mind, and I believe that with a few creative ideas, our team could've been very successful with a parachute on our container.

     I thought that the most effective part of our design was that our container was so small, ensuring that we were not exceeding any limitations. I also felt that since our container was so compacted with sponge-like material, that it was really good at absorbing any shock that might harm the egg. Our egg was able to be placed right in the middle of our container, ensuring that it was completely surrounded by sponge and pillow-fluff.

     I think the least effective part of our design was the outside box. It was nice because it kept all of the components inside of our container, and made it easily-accessible; however it made for a much harder landing, allowing a greater force to reach the egg. I also feel that if somehow our design could've included lighter materials, making our container lighter, that it would've been better because we would have gotten a higher score.

     If our container needed to be adapted to fit two eggs, I would keep the basic design the same, but I would cut the hole bigger in the box to allow a little bit more room for the two eggs. I would then apply more pillow-fluff in the middle, separating the two eggs, so that they are not touching. I think we could've been able to adapt our container quite easily to fit two eggs.

     All in all, I would say that Emma and I's egg container worked well, making this challenge project a success!






Our egg container being opened

Me dropping our egg in the competition

Preparing for Game Day

          Today in Physics it was Test Day, which meant we got to test out our egg-drop contraption. We are doing a challenge project to see if each team can design a container that can be dropped 5 meters without breaking the egg inside.

          Today our group (Emma and I) got sent to the science stairs, and from there proceeded to drop our box. We started out dropping our box from 2.5 meters above the ground, then proceeded to drop the box 4.3 meters above the ground, and finally dropped it from 5 meters above the ground. (All measurements were rough estimates.) In each round, the egg survived. We dropped the egg several times from the estimate of 5 meters, and it also survived each time. This is almost ensuring that our egg will survive on Game Day.

         We feel that no changes need to be made to our box since the performance rates were so high (100%). With all this in mind, we know that anything can happen, and if anything can go wrong, it will...so here is hoping for the best of luck on Game Day!



Emma preparing to drop our egg

 Emma dropping our egg at 5 m

Spaghetti Bridge Project- The Aftermath

 These are some questions that we were to answer upon completing the challenge:

1. I think that the most rewarding part of doing this project was getting to actually see the final copy of our bridge, because we had all worked on different apects of the bridge so it was cool to see it all come together.

2. Our bridge did have some really strong points to it, but the weak parts of the bridge didn't really allow the bridge to show its strong parts. The strong parts would have to be the design and the base. The base was carefully made, it just needed to be taken to the next level and reinforced. The design was also a really good idea, it was just wasn't built the best.

3. If I could've changed one thing I would've made the base stronger by putting spaghetti vertically as well as horizontally, and I would've layered it a bit more. I think this would've made the bridge stronger in general and it wouldn't have started bending so soon.

4. If I could suggest some tips to future bridge designers I would tell them to accurately research what type of bridge would be best for their needs. This would help because they would actually know what bridge they are making and they would know that it is the best option.

Photo taken by: Mike Bertram               (l-r) Blake, Quinton and Agnessa

Video taken by: Agnessa Janz