What was this project about?
For this project we had to pick a world problem, research it, and find a possible solution for it. As a class we generated a list of problems that affected someone, whether it was a global problem or something much smaller scaled. We then got into groups with people who had similar interests and picked one problem. The problem we decided to focus on was space travel. We researched what had been done so far, then created a presentation on how we planned to solve the problem.
Our presentation
The Creative Design Cycle
To complete this project we used the creative design cycle. Our steps are listed below.
Step 1: Define the problem/identify the need. Our problem was with space travel. We don't have any space craft that are fast enough or efficient enough to get far.
Step 2: Research. Each person in our group picked a different area of space travel to research. We had to find and annotate three articles. Even though not all of the research ended up being useful, it is important to have as much knowledge on the topic as possible.
Step 3: Brainstorm possible solutions. As a group we came up with over 20 different ways we could solve this problem. At this stage, any idea was acceptable, even if it was ridiculous. We eventually narrowed it done to just a few of the best possibilities.
Step 4: Choose a plan. We discussed the pros and cons of each idea, as well as the probability of it being possible. We decided to use multiple ideas, nuclear fusion, solar sails, and Annihilation.
Step 5: Design a prototype. Using previous projects such as Project Icarus and Project Daedalus we designed a few prototypes. Our prototypes were based off research and theories.
Step 6: Test and evaluate. We discussed our ideas and researched them even farther, then we edited and revised them based on what we had discovered. We added new ideas double checked our information.
Step 7: Communicate. Our last step was to design a presentation so we could show what we had designed to others. We decided to make a slideshow to display our data.
Step 1: Define the problem/identify the need. Our problem was with space travel. We don't have any space craft that are fast enough or efficient enough to get far.
Step 2: Research. Each person in our group picked a different area of space travel to research. We had to find and annotate three articles. Even though not all of the research ended up being useful, it is important to have as much knowledge on the topic as possible.
Step 3: Brainstorm possible solutions. As a group we came up with over 20 different ways we could solve this problem. At this stage, any idea was acceptable, even if it was ridiculous. We eventually narrowed it done to just a few of the best possibilities.
Step 4: Choose a plan. We discussed the pros and cons of each idea, as well as the probability of it being possible. We decided to use multiple ideas, nuclear fusion, solar sails, and Annihilation.
Step 5: Design a prototype. Using previous projects such as Project Icarus and Project Daedalus we designed a few prototypes. Our prototypes were based off research and theories.
Step 6: Test and evaluate. We discussed our ideas and researched them even farther, then we edited and revised them based on what we had discovered. We added new ideas double checked our information.
Step 7: Communicate. Our last step was to design a presentation so we could show what we had designed to others. We decided to make a slideshow to display our data.
Other Content
Annihilation- A proposed method of spacetravel using antimatter and matter. When they are combined it results in a complete conversion to energy.
Breakthrough Starshot- A laser grid on the surface would propel nanobots attached to solar sails at 12.5% the speed of light.
Nuclear fusion- 2 nuclei are combine to form another element. This conversion isn't perfect, and there is excess energy is used to propel a spacecraft.
Solar sails- Solar sails reflect photons and use their momentum to push the spacecraft forwards.
Project Daedalus- A theoretical project that used atomic hydrogen bombs to propel a spacecraft. It was never used because we don't have the fuel for it.
Project Icarus- Based off of Project Daedalus. The theory was that we could use thermonuclear fusion as a propulsion system. Unfortunately, we can't control thermonuclear fusion right now.
Thermonuclear fusion- Nuclear fusion caused by extreme heat. It requires 1.2 billions kelvins of heat.
Breakthrough Starshot- A laser grid on the surface would propel nanobots attached to solar sails at 12.5% the speed of light.
Nuclear fusion- 2 nuclei are combine to form another element. This conversion isn't perfect, and there is excess energy is used to propel a spacecraft.
Solar sails- Solar sails reflect photons and use their momentum to push the spacecraft forwards.
Project Daedalus- A theoretical project that used atomic hydrogen bombs to propel a spacecraft. It was never used because we don't have the fuel for it.
Project Icarus- Based off of Project Daedalus. The theory was that we could use thermonuclear fusion as a propulsion system. Unfortunately, we can't control thermonuclear fusion right now.
Thermonuclear fusion- Nuclear fusion caused by extreme heat. It requires 1.2 billions kelvins of heat.
Reflection
I felt like my group could have stayed on task a lot better. We would get distracted talking about other subjects, which were interesting, but not related out project. We ended up falling behind and had to do a lot of last minute work. The gantt chart could've been useful, but we we got off track so quickly that it was no longer relevant. We also had trouble making decisions as a group. We would debate different options, but a lot of the time we would never come to an agreement. We have things that we could improve on.
This project was fun because it was very open, and there wasn't a lot of strict guidelines on what had to be done. I think my group did well with that because we liked being able to design how we wanted to do the project. I think all of my group members were interested in the project and everyone was willing to do their part.
This project was fun because it was very open, and there wasn't a lot of strict guidelines on what had to be done. I think my group did well with that because we liked being able to design how we wanted to do the project. I think all of my group members were interested in the project and everyone was willing to do their part.