HOT WHEELS AND PHYSICS - AN INTERACTIVE LEARNING PRODUCT
This page details my first-year engineering project. The task was to create a product that teaches any STEM topic to elementary school students, and our team chose the topic of conservation of energy. Below you will find images of displaying our design process as well as my individual contributions to the product. The final image will display the results in terms of our three main goals.
BRAINSTORM PHASE
The sketches, Duncker diagram, and AutoCAD designs are all my own work. The AutoCAD design, in my opinion, did a good job of displaying how the product should be built as well as using visual imagery to appeal to the eyes. The reason for the colors was not only to show the race lights and netting, but also so that I could sell this project to the client during my presentation of my design.
Duncker Diagram
Word Cloud
Project Sketches
My AutoCAD Design
Final Product
The photos below show the final design. The design implements buttons, lights, LCD display, ultrasonic sensors, and ramps which were used to track the car as they raced across the track. I think that this project would have benefitted from having more exhibit space as our race track was too short which made it difficult for students to observe what was happening at times. The final product utilized hand tools and laser cutting in order to put together the wood pieces and ramps.
Hidden Wiring
Side View of Hidden wiring
Final Product
Main Contributions
Below are my main contributions. My job for this project was to implement the Arduino components into the final design while also making sure that they were coded properly. The most difficult part of this task was setting up the four ultrasonic sensors which were not the most consistent when gathering data. Overall, I learned that testing components often is quite important for a successful final design as it allows for potential errors to be caught early.
Button and LCD Display
Lights
Ultrasonic Sensors
Flow Chart
LCD Display Circuitry
Results
The results that you see below was gathered using a Google Survey. These results demonstrate how the audience felt regarding our three main goals, but the questions asked the gauge understanding are not posted as there were quite a few. Overall, our product was a success when it came to being engaging and fun, but our expectations regarding learning were not fully met given by the answers to the survey from the younger children.
Goal 1 - Learning
Goal 2 - Interactiveness
