Simple Machines Energy Transfer (SMET) device project

After completing your SMET project comment on the following:

1.       Do you feel that you have a better understanding of the six simple machines after completing the project?

2.       Explain mechanical advantage.

3.       What is the difference between Ideal Mechanical Advantage and Actual Mechanical Advantage?

4.       Did you have an adequate amount of time to complete the project?

5.       If there were one thing you would change about the project, what would it be?

6.       In your opinion, what was the most difficult aspect of the project? Explain.

Mailbox Woods project

As I was riding my bike through a neighborhood it came to my attention that all the mailboxes were very similar with the exception of their color. Not only did all the houses look alike the mailboxes did too. If your living situation is similar to this, wouldn't it be nice to have some individuality? Some things to consider prior to construction: 1) Are there size requirements for mailboxes  2) Does the flag have to be red  3) Does the flag have to be a 90 degree pivot lever arm? 4)What type of building materials would be appropriate?

After some initial research, sketch out 5 ideas for mailboxes you would consider making, list construction materials, develop 1 idea using technical drafting techniques (orthographic, isometric), get approval from instructor.

Using Autodesk Inventor to Create Fliers

As the new Ultimate Frisbee Club Advisor I thought it might be cool to create a flier with information regarding the club on Autodesk Inventor. My idea was to model a Frisbee and emboss text from the top for the flier to be printed. This idea has multiple applications and may be altered for different subjects.

 Does anyone have another idea for expressing information through Inventor. Please share...

Quick Post: Bed Frame Idea for IED

As a general idea for the Project Lead the Way, Intro to Engineering and Design class, students could utilize the design process for creating a collapsible bed frame using design requirements specified by the teacher.

Simple Machines Project Idea

After reconsidering a change for the current simple machines project in place for Principles of Engineering, I stumbled across a website Automata by Stuart Chalmers. After viewing the site, I felt that the mechanisms shown could potentially be worked into a pre-engineering curriculum in the simple machines/gears and pulleys unit. Instead of spending time creating an SMET (Simple Machines Energy Transfer device (a.k.a. Rube Goldberg), the students could design a mechanism using the six simple machines to create a moving mechanism designed for a specific task.

Home Repair

This past week I worked on repairs to my newly acquired home. During the repair process I came across a few structural issues and uncommon problems that needed to be addressed. As I thought about solutions to the problems I also thought about ways to incorporate them into daily lessons and/or projects for my technology students. The first problem occurred when I was doing the planning for installation of a new basement window. The original window was rotted and a new header was required, also the new window was smaller in height my 2 inches. It was my goal to replace the window, header, scrape away any rotted wood, insulate, and seal using waterproof materials. If I were to give this project to my students I would provide them similar dimensions, visible issues, tools available for use, and a monetary budget. The students would have to research building materials, develop a systematic approach that would solve the problem quickly, efficiently, and under budget.

Blog change

In pursuit of a Master's of Science degree in Information Design and Technology, I had originally planned to post specifically about happenings in the organic food community. I have discovered that it would benefit me more, personally, to blog about my career of teaching and helpful hints/tools for followers. My previous post describes a project idea for my high school Principles of Engineering students.

Truncated Icosahedron: AKA Soccer Ball

As I was recently watching an episode of "Through The Wormhole" on the Science Channel I thought of an idea for my high school Principles of Engineering class. This project could potentially be introduced within the first few days of class as a quick team-building exercise. The general idea is to create a truncated icosahedron using Autodesk Inventor (3-D modeling program). The basic premise is to have each team or individual figure out how to create the object using mathematical formulas found in their textbooks or from reliable internet sources. Other parameters may be set up by the teacher to make the project more difficult.

Despite Fears, More Genetically Modified Crops Are on the Way

Despite Fears, More Genetically Modified Crops Are on the Way

This is an interesting article that was fed to me through my Organic Consumers Association News Headlines subscription in Google Reader. The article describes bioengineering's impact on consumer crops. It touches on the percentages of different crops being grown using seeds that have been genetically altered by seed companies. It also gives a bit of history about the immersion of genetically engineered crops, what is currently happening, and the future of bioengineering for food production.

Whole Foods

As an enthusiast of food, and especially fresh organic foods, I have discovered that Whole Foods has their own blog which I have subscribed to via Google Reader. Their post are informative and easy to read which is why I have chosen to follow them. As I receive updates in Reader I will be selecting blog postings I find most suitable to comment on in my blog. To subscribe to the Whole Foods blogs click on Whole Foods.

Atomic Force Micoscope

This piece of equipment is used by material science engineers and researchers. It is employed for usage at Cornell University. It's general purpose is to measure (hence microscope (a distance measurement)). The user is able to look at three dimensional rendered images from compiled data which comes from a laser, vibrating cantilever, and a photo diode sensor not glass optics. Its magnification capabilities are to the nearest 10 nanometers (that's 1 x 10 to the minus eight meters (VERY SMALL!)). Here's an image of one of the rendered plots.

I spent the summer of 2010 at Cornell [University] Center for Materials Research enrolled in a six-week Research Experience for Teachers program sponsored by the NSF. Excellent program for Math, Science, or Technology Teachers interested in a mind blowing experience!

Macrophotography

Macrophotography: "

This is a macro photo of...what do you think this is?

Click through to find out and see more macro photos from Caren Alpert.

Tags: Caren Alpert photography"

AFM Looking pic

This picture reminds me of the time I spent at Cornell.

Geographic Differences in the Relative Price of Healthy Foods

Geographic Differences in the Relative Price of Healthy Foods: "Although healthy foods can be affordable, if less healthy foods are cheaper, individuals may have an economic incentive to consume a less healthful diet. Using the Quarterly Food-at-Home Price Database, we explore whether a select set of healthy foods (whole grains, dark green vegetables, orange vegetables, whole fruit, skim and 1% milk, fruit juice, and bottled water) are more expensive than less healthy alternatives. We find that not all healthy foods are more expensive than less healthy alternatives; skim and 1% milk are less expensive than whole and 2% milk and bottled water is generally less expensive than carbonated nonalcoholic drinks. We also find considerable geographic variation in the relative price of healthy foods. This price variation may contribute to geographic variation in diet and health outcomes."

Blog Intent

The intent of this blog is to give you [the reader] insights into the food industry. It will be my goal as the blog editor to carefully select news feeds from GoogleReader and share my comments regarding those feeds. This blog may also be used as an ongoing conversation between myself and followers. To keep things interesting I will occasionally share food recipes and reviews that have worked for me and have also utilized local and organically grown food products.