After working on those modules the time has come its time to think of our maker project we want to present at the Makers Fair.Doing on those modules was meant for them to spark some emotion and know its time to set our head on something we want to build.

I personally think its really hard to come up with an idea thats gonna catch peoples attention and its gonna serve someones need or want.I was thinking of making furniture,but not just furniture something that spins or something creative that will eating,sitting,watching tv much funner.

Working on this project is going to be a challenge because we don’t have the steps on how to to do or what to do.We’re going to have to go step by step until we get what we want.Its gonna take a while we’re not just gonna sit down and boom we know exactly what to do and were gonna get it on our first time,its gonna take failure.

To complete this project we need is teamwork,we need to work together and considers everyone’s idea and combine them together maybe everyone’s ideas together will lead to a better idea.

Look back soon to see what i decided to make!

Karla Jaramillo

This semester I completed the Prosthetics module for the Biomedical pathway.  The main idea of the module was to learn about medical innovations. The challenge was to create a functional prosthetic lower leg for a client in need, I worked alongside my teammates to successfully construct the prosthetic. We researched about prosthetic designs and took ideas to use as inspiration for our own design. When it came to the fabrication of the prosthetic lower leg we collected materials found in school and used that to construct it.

 

We were able to come up with a successful design in a short amount of time, which I think  the experiences that we’ve acquired from the completed modules this past semester, have facilitated these recently completed ones. The modules I’ve completed have taught me how to work efficiently and creatively. Since we’ve also been switching groups at the beginning of each new module, I’ve gotten to work with many people whom all have different working styles and ideas, which have made me a better work partner and a good listener with an open mind.

 

Getting so much knowledge out of each module, has provided me with a strong foundation for me to build off of. Which is exactly what I will be needing in two weeks when I fill in my maker project application with my group. If it wasn’t for the modules, I wouldn’t know how to commence a project that seems unattainable and executing it successfully would be super stressful. Another great thing about the modules, is that you get the opportunity to learn how to work with cool tools and machines that can take your project to the next level. We’ve gotten to work with the laser cutter, The 3D printer, the miter saw and much more.

 

Completing this most recent module was fun and taught me new material and skills. I think I am really prepared and am very excited and can’t wait to continue onto my maker project, it seems like it’s going to be a great experience.

How the modules influenced my decision

I have done about one, if not more than one of the modules for each pathway. I only finished one of the, which was Media Technology. I enjoyed all of the parts of the Media Tech modules, the first Media Technology module I did I created a pinhole camera and took a picture of the back of the school which was pretty easy to make. The only hard part about it was trying to figure out how to take the picture and develop the picture. It didn’t turn out perfectly like we all expected the picture would look like, but it was the first time and not everything goes right on your first try.

The second module I finished was creating blog posts like I am doing now. We do blog posts every six weeks but we had to create a specific one with our group members, it really didn’t deal with cameras but it did have a lot to do with the media. It did really help with if you were to go into something with the media, like creating blog posts and you already had experience with people who can read your blog posts online. It wasn’t so hard since we all had an idea of what to write about, the only thing that could make it hard was how you could word it or trying to describe something specific about something.

The final module that I completed in the Media Tech pathway was, creating a video that related to our mission statement and our school. This one gave me more of view of what you are expected to do in Media Tech. I really enjoyed filming the video, it was something that I have always wanted to do, and anything that related to computers. I have taken a liking to computers since I was younger, my grandfather works on fixing computers and he always would talk about them which made it fascinating since I would always play on the computer when I was younger.

All of these modules helped me choose my pathway for high school. Biomed isn’t something that I am into, I don’t like looking into other bodies and dissecting them. It doesn’t seem like I would enjoy that, since I wasn’t able to handle dissecting a frog in seventh grade. As for engineering, I really did enjoy building a birdhouse, but I didn’t feel like it would be something that I would want to look into.

Computers and filming is something that I really have a passion for, I didn’t think that it would be something that I would have done in eighth grade. I am really happy that the PLTW class that I have helps me in choosing that I want to do with my high school life. If I took PLTW last year, I wouldn’t have gotten to take a look at what I could expect from each pathway. It would have just been what I would most likely thought of at the last minute.

I am happy that I had the chance to finish these modules and that it helped me to decided what I want to take next year.

Photography by: Bella Thomas

This 6 weeks I completed the Photography module.In the module we had to create a pinhole camera and make it take a picture.The materials that we used were cardboard,Tape and Photography paper.But before we were able to create the camera we had to understand photography and it’s history.I really enjoyed the making of this camera.There was some trial and error and a lot of steps that were crucial for us to follow.

 

First before we were able to even think about making the camera we had to do some research.Each person in our group had to do research on a type of camera,I picked the pinhole camera so that i could obtain more knowledge to help us in the making process of the camera.I found out that the creator of the pinhole camera was Ibn al Haythem otherwise known as Alhazen.He created the Pinhole camera in the 10-11th century.I actually really enjoyed doing research on the pinhole camera because i learned something new that i always wanted to  know but i never really took time to look up

 

After we researched then we were ready to create the camera.We made our camera out of a cardboard box.On box we out a square in the middle of the front flap.Then we put Aluminum foil under it and poked a hole in the middle.After we glue the foil we put electrical tape over the hole so that when we are ready to take the picture we can open the tape and then close it so that it works as a shutter.Once we were done it was time to put the photographic paper in the camera in the dark room so that no light could damage the film.

When we were done putting the film in the camera,we were ready to take our picture.To take the picture we had to first find a shady area so that the sun light couldn’t damage the process and film paper.Then we had to find a non living object to photograph because living objects can’t stay still which could blur the picture.Next we had to set up the box on something and open the shutter for 2-3 minutes therefore giving us the right amount of light exposure for the picture.Lastly we had to close the shutter and then go inside to develop  the picture.

Once we were done taking the picture we had to go back in the dark room and develop the pictures.While developing the picture we all had to wear  gloves because of the chemicals used during picture development.After we had on our gloves we had to take the film out of the camera and places in a shallow tub filled with fluid.As the the photo was moved around in the chemicals the picture started to slowly developed. I really enjoyed being able to show people the photo that i took my self from a pinhole box camera that started out as a bunch of cardboard pieces and some tools.I honestly think that what i should know from this module is that you can make anything out of nothing and that knowing what you’re capable of creating is important

Hey! I’m Prisila Samaniego Marin, and I’m an 8th grader at the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders. As an 8th grader, I take the class PLTW, or Project Lead The Way. In my past blog post, I’ve talked about modules, but today I’m going to talk about the maker project.

The maker project is a big project that we do and then present our (hopefully) finished products at the Maker Faire. For this project we first have to submit an application. After it gets approved, we can start working on our project. In this project, we have the option to work alone or in group, to make a big project or a small one. I’m working in a group, and honestly my motto is “Go big, or go home.” I’m saying this because my group and I are deciding to do a big project.

My idea was to make a playhouse for little kids ages 3-6. This would be a little house that children could claim for themselves. As a kid you always want to “grow up”, and with this house, this would give them a place to take care of themselves. They can play here, store their toys, or do whatever they want. We want to make this a fun but safe environment for the children.

You may see a picture of a mini house at the top of my post, and you may wonder what it is. That house is what I want my playhouse to look like. It’s something simple and easy to do, yet it still looks nice. The house I make isn’t going to be 100% like the one in the picture, although I’m planning to base the design off of that picture.

Even though this seems like a super hard project, I’m really excited for it. I really like using the saw and the power tools, so this gives me a chance to use the things I like. I feel like this project is going to be very difficult because we are making a mini house. It’s stressful to think about where we’re going to store the house. I’m scared that the house will be too big that it won’t fit anywhere in the school. Oh well, hopefully my fear doesn’t come true.

I know this will all pay off in the end when my group and I put together an awesome house. I’ll keep y’all posted in my next few blog post on how the house is going. Talk to y’all later.

By: Jazmin M.

Hello guys,

Well this week I did one of the funnest modules yet. Construction and Fabrication Basics. In this module I learned how to use all sorts of tools correctly and how to design and build a basic birdhouse. Exiting! I really like building stuff and in this module I got to do it.

So first of all, my group (Brisi, Jennifer and Lucero) and I had to sketch and design a birdhouse with only right angles on paper. That part was easy, and we chose and easy design (Basically two rectangles). First we marked the measurements on fence board for us to cut the board into the pieces we needed. Using the miter saw was a bit scary at first I have to admit, but really its an easy and fast tool to use. When we had all the pieces cut out and ready to go, it was time to start gluing. Okay, this was the most frustrating part of all because we had to fix it too many times. Until finally it decides to stay in place with the clamps. It was so funny when we got it the first time and then one boards slips out of place bringing the whole thing down. The next step was to cut out the faces (the back and front). That was pretty complicated as well, the lines cut out weren’t quite perfect. We used a power saw and then the jig saw for some miner cuts that the power saw couldn’t get. On one of those pieces we cut two holes using the hole cutter. I didn’t get to use that tool but Jennifer and Brisi did. We glued and nailed the back and front to the structure. The added nails to any other side to make it more secure with a compressed air nail gun. After that we were all done. I have to admit that we did a pretty good job with it!

Thanks for reading.

These are some pictures i took during the process 🙂

Lots of times, people miss out on opportunities because they are afraid of what may happen if they are not totally sure. They come up with the worst possible case scenario and have that dreadful image play over and over in their mind. That process can cause a lot of unnecessary stress which is definitely not fun! I know that I personally have done this, but have any of those worst case scenarios that I had thought of actually happened? Nope. That doesn’t completely mean that whatever you imagined could never possibly happen but the chances really aren’t likely. You can work yourself up so much about something not likely to happen, and then you could miss out on things.

For the longest time I had been terrified of saws, drills, and basically any moving object that could possibly hurt me. In a way it’s a practical and very real fear if you don’t know how to correctly use them. All this time I’ve tried to avoid all possible scenarios that would cause me to be in the position to use them.

Recently I did the module Constructions & Fabrication Basics and I had to make a wood sandwich. Basically that means I had to cut two pieces of wood to be 6 inches using a saw and then hammering and drilling nails and screws into the pieces creating the sandwich. Basically that was a whole bunch of my fears combined.

While standing in line for the saw I waited until I was one of the last ones to go because I was hoping that maybe I wouldn’t have to do it after all even though that wish wouldn’t happen no matter how much I had wanted. The more I watched others use the saw the more I wanted to go and get it over with, mentally. But physically I couldn’t seem to bring myself to do so. Finally it had been my turn and I was practically in a panic.

What if I sawed off my hand, what if my hair gets caught and I go bald, what if I break it. Well, the machine couldn’t cut off my hand unless I had put my hand directly under the spinning blade, my hair wouldn’t get caught because it was in a ponytail, and I have no idea where I would begin to attempt to break the machine. They were all fears that wouldn’t happened but made me really scared. But once I started to cut the blade I realized it wasn’t so bad as I had imagined. And it was over before I even realized.

I am really glad that I went through the experience of using not only the saw but the drills too. I think it was a good learning experience to realize that most of the fears are just things that I make up in my head. I think it’s important to try things that are new even if they are a little out of your comfort zone. And maybe the fears have a purpose, because they caused me to pay close attention and be a little more careful.

-Nicole 8th

Hello Readers,
I recently did a module in my PLTW class called “Construction and Fabrication Basics”. Here we were instructed to design and make a comfortable bird house for a bird native to Texas. My group wanted to make an exotic bird house, something no one had ever seen before, something that would make the other birds jealous. So we made a blueprint that made the house look like a mansion, it was about 24″x24″.
Once we actually measured the wood we noticed it was way too big. So we went back to plan once again. The second time we came up with a more simple house, about 12″x8″. But we still hadn’t picked the bird for our house, so we all went on the internet and researched birds native to Texas. After looking at millions of cute little birds we decided to make our house for the cardinal.                                                                                   
Once we had a vivid idea of what we wanted to do it was time to use the power tools to make our bird house! But I wasn’t as excited as my teammates because honestly, power tools scare me. I always think something bad could happen and I start shaking every time I am in contact with one so I wasn’t very thrilled. All my other teammates were cutting the wood with the big saws and I didn’t want them to notice I was scared to I just played along. But at the end I really enjoyed using the tools and some of them were way easier to handle than I thought. I’m really glad I tried them because when I have to use them again I will have prior knowledge.
Eventually, our bird house was all glued and nailed together and it looked great! I’m glad I helped building it because I will soon make a playhouse for the maker project and this will help me a lot with that. I hope little cardinals enjoy their new home!

Thanks for reading,
Catalina Gonzalez 8th Period

After completing the Biomed, Media Tech, and Engineering intro modules I realized that I wanted to steer into a more STEAM driven direction. If you don’t know STEAM is short for Science Technology Engineering Art and Math. I decided to start completing more engineering modules just so I could explore into the subject a little deeper and I found myself doing computer science. At first I thought it would involve some sort of use of computers but really it was using these things called LittleBits. Sounds weird right? I had no idea what to expect. They turned out to be these little kits of small components of electronic bits that are designed to help inventors understand the basics of everyday objects. Our assignment was to construct a project that was functional using the LittleBits. At first I was really excited to start working and tinkering with the pieces but I will admit that I was just a tad bit disappointed when I realized building this was going to be harder than I thought. My group and I were kind of limited of supplies and time but I tried staying positive.

After tinkering a while we decided to start brainstorming. Our ideas were pretty out there. They were doable but we were a bit constricted. The first design we had settled on was a dump truck. We even started planning out the design and we started sketching everything out on Adobe illustrator. Everything was going great until we really started to think about how everything was going to work. (Plus I lost my USB drive) we decided it was going to be a great idea but something we could save for the future when we have more time and supplies. We were running out of time and we still didn’t know what to do so we decided to go to the Internet for some ideas. We decided to look at some LittleBits websites and we saw the great idea of having a confetti cannon . At first we were like is this really doable? But then we actually started thinking about a design that could work and we realized that it was actually a great idea. We began to sketch out some ideas and in the end we ended up working really hard in even going to each other’s houses to work on the weekends and I’m really proud of our final product. Our final product was a tissue box with a cylinder top and it had a screen that was supposed to keep the confetti from getting mixed up with the fan made out of some rope that our friend Sandy found and the rest of it was pretty much recycled materials including the confettI. One problem that we stumbled across was the fan. Our original plan for the fan was to make it out of cardboard which we did but when we actually tested it we realize that it didn’t have enough power to actually create enough air currents to blow the confetti in the air. After mentioning this to Mrs. Sauter she helped us find a preconstructed fan that actually did have a lot of power which was really beneficial to our project. After having that addition to our project our our cannon worked really well and I’m really proud of the final product 🙂 After completing this module my thoughts about engineering just keep getting better and better and I’m really glad I chose engineering as my pathway for high school ^_^

To watch our video click here

Who knew scheduling could be so important? Not me! Ever since I came into Ann Richards, I didn’t have the experience or knowledge of the importance of this skill. As soon as I entered my 8th grade year I knew that something about my habits had to change and I knew exactly what habit it was, procrastination. This is where scheduling falls into play. We use this website called “Haiku Learning” which holds information that we need to succeed in this class we call PLTW. For example, we are making a major project in this class that requires a lot of time and patience. We have to find appropriate times to find and use information that people outside and in our school give us. Which includes finding times and dates that we are free, which is a real life situation that we go through.  In this class we do a lot of building and planning. So as you can see scheduling is a big factor in all of this.

As most of y’all know, we have dates and deadlines which means there is no time to mess around, especially when you plan on having a final product that you have to present. Usually you have a paper full of important dates you have to have certain things done and in your head you know you can get it done. This happened to me almost every project we had to do in this class. I know it’s not a good thing, in fact it’s one of the worst things you could possible do! But you know what they say, practicing good habits could change the way you work for the better. It took me a long time to get used to this skill, but at least now I have learned that it is very important.

Looking back at the first projects I did in this class, I noticed that every individual part was finished the day it was due. Although they were small parts, they had the same grade value as if they were major parts of the project. That basically means that I got lucky in getting full credit for my work and that’s not something anyone should get used to. You may ask, why did she just realize this now? Well, this is because I ended up getting a grade that I didn’t plan on getting. I guess that is the consequence in doing things at the last minute. I now realize that knowing how to manage your time and not procrastinate in doing mandatory duties can lead to outcomes a lot better.

By: Karla Ruiz