For this project, my group and I had to come up with any world problem, and create a solution. We decided self-harm as our world problem. At first, we had trouble coming up with a problem, so we didn't do much on the first day. While researching this topic, we learned a lot of new and interesting information. For our solution, we decided to make goody bags, with small and simple things inside them to make people a bit happier, relaxed, or distracted. Our first goody bag, is mostly for people who are into art, with things that appeal to them. Our second goody bag is for people who are more into science. Our third goody bag is a mix of some of these objects.
Reflection: I think I did better on this project than past projects. I showed more leadership and much more cooperation. I learned that when I really set my mind on something, I can get it done fast and well. I contributed many ideas to the group, and got off task much less than past projects. For future projects, my goals are to show more empathy towards my teammates, and better work ethic. Sometimes I would get off task and talk to my friends, and on some days I wouldn't talk much or I wouldn't contribute many ideas for our project. There were a few arguments with our group, but they were settled quickly. Overall, I really enjoyed this project and my group.
The Engineering Design Cycle: Identify need- The need was to partially solve self harm. We might not be able to solve self harm completely, but we hope our project will be able to lessen the urge for someone who abuses themselves.
Research problem- Researching our problem was harder than we thought it would be. There were many websites with too many advertisements and false information. Our group found and annotated many reliable sources, which were mostly educational and government sources.
Develop possible solution- While brainstorming, we came up with many possible solutions, such as, a website to raise awareness about self harm, adopting a pet, sledding/fishing, zip-lining, a playlist, an outdoor summer camp, or a goody bag.
Select the most promising solution- After brainstorming, we chose to make goody bags as our solution.
Construct a prototype- We made goody bags that would be distributed through schools to students who wanted them. We made three different goody bags with different objects that would appeal to different types of people.
Test and evaluate prototype- Since we had a time limit of two weeks, are high school freshman, and had no money, the plan to make a bunch of goody bags and distribute them to schools was not possible for us to do.
Communicate Design- We made a slideshow presentation to communicate our design. We were taught how to present, such as speaking clear and loudly, looking at the audience, and standing still and not slouching.
Redesign- I told some of my friends about the project, asked them what appealed and didn't appeal to them, and fixed the parts of our project and goody bags that they didn't like as much.
Repeat- The isn't necessarily a step. It is part of the design cycle because things don't always go as planned or perfectly, and there's always room to make something better.