We completed this engineering challenge successfully, with our second model built with a base of maximum 30cmx30cm, a minimum height of 60cm, constructed with spaghetti and Blu Tack under the budget of $60, and surviving the simulated earthquake for over ten seconds, which were the requirements set for this challenge. However, if we did this project again, we could improve the outcome by making a few changes to our engineering process.
One change we could make is to plan how we are going to use our time. We spent too much time planning our building, which meant that when we started to build too late and had to rush to get our two models completed. (One model was our initial building, and the other was the rebuild after testing the first one) Before actually starting to work on the challenge, we should have separated the project (Stile questions) into sections and set due dates for each section. That way, we would not lose track of time and have enough time for improving our initial building.
Another change we could make to our engineering process is to make sure to always refer back to the task sheet. When we were planning, we did not notice that the task had set prices for the materials. Spaghetti costed $1.00 per 10cm, and Blu Tack costed $1.00 per gram. These prices were much more expensive than the price of these materials on the market, which meant that we were much more restricted in terms of material than we thought we were. This led to some time being wasted on creating a design that was not under the budget of $60. We could have used this time on research, or building. It is important to read the task sheet carefully and check it regularly during the engineering process.
In terms of our teamwork, I feel that we worked together quite well. Everyone contributed to the process, which allowed us to complete this challenge successfully. In the beginning, we had assigned the roles of Project Manager, Equipment Manager, Speaker and Reporter to each team member. Each person made sure to carry out their role, but on top of that, we all helped each other when we could. We worked with each member’s strengths for this project, which greatly improved our efficiency in completing this challenge.
I was assigned the role of Project Manager, and I made sure that everyone knew what they needed to do for this project. However, I also helped with preparing the materials we were going to work with, asking for help and advice from our teacher, and ensuring that we were able to complete our project on time. My strengths were problem solving, collaboration and resilience. When our first building collapsed, I recognised that the top was too thin and unstable, as shown in the picture on the left in the featured image. That was a problem we needed to solve. Although the base was sturdy, it did not provide the potential of a strong, supported top. I thought of changing our base, so that we could build upwards with enough width. In our second building, we changed the shape of our base, which gave us the opportunity to build a more supported building, which can be seen on the right of the featured image. I collaborated with our team to complete this challenge throughout the planning and experimenting stages. We worked together to complete the Stile questions, and to build our two building models. When we faced challenges, such as getting our building to be made under the budget and preventing the spaghetti from snapping during the building process, I did not give up, I showed resilience and tried my best to help our team to reach the goal we aimed for.
The Equipment Manager made sure that we had all the equipment we needed, and packed them away at the end, but also helped with the other roles. Her strengths were teamwork, positivity, and dedication. She worked well in our team, and contributed ideas, thoughts, and work. She helped plan our initial design, and gave her opinions on our model, which helped us build our final earthquake-resistant building to the standard it was built. She stayed positive and did not let challenges discourage our team. This helped us overcome those challenges and complete the engineering challenge. Her dedication to help our team complete this engineering challenge has helped us to successfully complete this challenge. It would not have been possible if team members did not pull their weight in the group, which thankfully, did not happen. All team members contributed to the group and helped the team to finish this challenge.
The Speaker made sure that we got the information we needed, and asked others for help when we needed it. She also helped others with their roles. Her strengths were effective communication, motivation, and commitment. She communicated well, which was crucial for her to carry out her role well, which she did. Her motivation to complete this challenge to a high standard was really valuable, as it helped motivate everyone in our team to do the same. We all worked together towards a common goal, and her motivation helped us achieve that goal. She was committed to her role and this challenge, which helped our team greatly. Without these strengths, we would not have achieved the outcome we had.
The Reporter made sure that our project was completed on time, as well as helping everyone else in the team with their roles. Her strengths were organisation, responsibility, and determination. Organisation was a strength that made her perfect for the role of the reporter, since she ensured that we finished the challenge before the end date. She was responsible and contributed well to the team. Her determination to successfully complete this challenge helped the team to work well and complete the challenge successfully and on time. When we faced problems, she did not let them hinder us, and persevered to find ways to overcome those problems.
We all helped each other throughout this challenge, which made it possible for us to finish the challenge with a building that withstood the simulated earthquake. Each team member’s strengths helped us achieve such a result, and this challenge helped train those strengths. The process required us to work well together as a team, which we definitely did. This engineering challenge was a valuable experience, as not only did we learn more about earthquake-resistant buildings, we also improved our qualities and capabilities.