Technical Elements

Andy Loftis Today we want to Understand Technical and Learn how to Apply it to our Challenges What is Technical?

Technical refers to use of principles from scientific fields. Mechanical,Chemical,Electrical,Aeronautic,Pneumatic,Hydraulic, or Just Simple Machines!!

MOST IMPORTANT!!! NOT DONE BY A TEAM MEMBER!!

How DO we Get Started? Brainstorm what Task you would Like to Accomplish Brainstorm what Task you would Like to Accomplish What Scientific Fields would work? What Scientific Fields would work? Brainstorm and Attribute Listing to get some ideas Brainstorm and Attribute Listing to get some ideas ALOU will help you focus in on the best choice A dvantages, L imitations, how to O vercome, U nique features ALOU will help you focus in on the best choice A dvantages, L imitations, how to O vercome, U nique features How do we Control It? How do we Control It? Test, Test, Test! Test, Test, Test!

Let’s Talk a Mechanical Solution Know Simple Machines and what they do Know Simple Machines and what they do Decide on your Task Decide on your Task See what Machine works best to accomplish the task See what Machine works best to accomplish the task Test it! Test it!

SIMPLE MACHINES Levers

Inclined Planes

SIMPLE MACHINES PulleysGears

Wheel and Axle Wheel and Axle

SIMPLE MACHINES Spring

Screw Screw Wedge Wedge

TASK Move something from one table top to another What will Work? Lever – Yes, Pulley – Yes, Screw – Yes, Spring – Yes, Inclined Plane – Yes, Wheel and Axle – Yes, Wedge – Maybe UH OH? The ‘something’ is a cup of HOT COFFEE!

Maybe we need to look at the task a little closer What are we moving? What are we moving? Are there any requirements? Are there any requirements? How fast must it happen? How fast must it happen? Do we want to be able to repeat it? Do we want to be able to repeat it? YOU NEED TO LOOK AT THE COMPLETE PICTURE BEFORE YOU DECIDE

IS IT FINAL NOW? Test! Test! Test! MAKE SURE IT WORKS SEE IF YOU NEED TO IMPROVE IT REWORK TO PERFECT THE MACHINE Test, adjust, retest, improve, change – All of that is part of the scientific process and that leads to INNOVATION!!!

NOW WE HAVE A MANUAL SOLUTION Do we want to power it? Do we want to power it? In Destination ImagiNation the technical innovation and technical design elements score HIGHER for less team member involvement In Destination ImagiNation the technical innovation and technical design elements score HIGHER for less team member involvement Will it be easier? Will it be easier? Will it be faster? Will it be faster? Will it be more efficient? Will it be more efficient?

Look at Power Sources What do you use? What do you use? Complex machines improve simple machines Complex machines improve simple machines Bicycle pedals Bicycle pedals Block and tackle Block and tackle Rod and reel Rod and reel Motors provide power Motors provide power Gas powered Gas powered Electric powered Electric powered Solar energy Solar energy Pneumatic Pneumatic Hydraulic Hydraulic

Okay now we have a Powered Machine!! Are We Done? Are We Done? Can we control it? Can we control it?

Now The Scores are Adding UP! Control means a lot of things Control means a lot of things Steering is mechanical but it is control Steering is mechanical but it is control Speed may need to be controlled or varied Speed may need to be controlled or varied Remote controls allow you to control from a distance – mechanical, wired, and wireless Remote controls allow you to control from a distance – mechanical, wired, and wireless We could even turn it on and forget about it! We could even turn it on and forget about it!

What Methods are Available? Mechanical Mechanical Electrical Electrical Electronic Electronic Computer control Computer control PCs PCs Basic Stamp Basic Stamp Sensors Sensors Remote Control Remote Control

Do We Settle For This? That is up to you! That is up to you! Test It! Test It! Analyze It! Analyze It! Look at Your Time! Look at Your Time! Evaluate your Competition! Evaluate your Competition! BUT MAKE SURE IT’S FUN!!!!! BUT MAKE SURE IT’S FUN!!!!!

A Couple of Things About Technical Challenges! Two Kinds of Appraisers Two Kinds of Appraisers Heads Up Heads Up Heads Down Heads Down Two Types of Scoring Two Types of Scoring Objective – Complete Task or Not Objective – Complete Task or Not Subjective – Evaluation by Appraisers Subjective – Evaluation by Appraisers Technical Design Technical Design Technical Innovation Technical Innovation Construction Construction

Your Task Is……. Build a Technical Device to pop a balloon Build a Technical Device to pop a balloon Builders must remain behind the line at all times during the test phase Builders must remain behind the line at all times during the test phase There will be a race to see who POPS the balloon the QUICKEST There will be a race to see who POPS the balloon the QUICKEST You have 8 minutes to build the Technical Device You have 8 minutes to build the Technical Device You have 2 minutes to test the device You have 2 minutes to test the device All Technical Devices must be behind the line at that point and THEN we will announce go while teams attempt to POP their balloons!! All Technical Devices must be behind the line at that point and THEN we will announce go while teams attempt to POP their balloons!! Please disassemble, clean and return all parts to the box at the end Please disassemble, clean and return all parts to the box at the end GO!!!!! GO!!!!!

“Keep your head when all others around are losing theirs!” Not Sure