The fourth project we completed in STEM was a creative engineering project. This project was very different from the others we have done so far because it had very vague guidelines. We were asked to "solve" a problem that our world is facing. We brainstormed a list of problems as a class (which included terrorism, disease, pollution, etc.) and decided which problem to focus on in our groups. My group ( Brigid O'Brien, Ashley Smith, and Tara Shotz) and I agreed to research and "solve" malnutrition. We came up with an idea to create a nutritious bar to help malnourished people regain the vitamins and nutrients they lack.
Content
Engineering Design Cycle- a series of certain tasks used to help improve projects and tasks related to engineering. This process has 9 steps and their is no particular order. The steps are:
1. Identify the need
2. Research the problem
3. Develop possible solutions (brainstorm)
4. Select the most promising solution
5. Construct a prototype
6. Test and evaluate prototype
7. Communicate design
8. Redesign
9. Repeat
Engineering Design Cycle- a series of certain tasks used to help improve projects and tasks related to engineering. This process has 9 steps and their is no particular order. The steps are:
1. Identify the need
2. Research the problem
3. Develop possible solutions (brainstorm)
4. Select the most promising solution
5. Construct a prototype
6. Test and evaluate prototype
7. Communicate design
8. Redesign
9. Repeat
Our Project
To achieve our final result, we had to complete various tasks. First we had to select a topic we wanted to focus on. Next we spent a few days researching our world problem, by looking up statistics and general facts. After this, we spent time brainstorming our engineered solution. This project had very broad guide lines which was both good and bad. It gave us a lot of space to think and really get creative with our methods, but at the same time it was a little hard to determine what exactly we were supposed to do and what was expected from us.
My group and I researched our problem in detail. We looked at the number of malnourished children and adults as well as which countries have the highest percentage of malnourished people. With this information we came up with a few solutions and picked the one that seemed the most reasonable and attainable.
Option 1: Create some sort of hybrid plant that has various nutritious benefits (examples: kale, blueberries, etc.)
Option 2: Create an alternate type of soil to help existing crops grow
Option 3: Make a protein bar with many of the essential nutrients that malnourished people lack
To achieve our final result, we had to complete various tasks. First we had to select a topic we wanted to focus on. Next we spent a few days researching our world problem, by looking up statistics and general facts. After this, we spent time brainstorming our engineered solution. This project had very broad guide lines which was both good and bad. It gave us a lot of space to think and really get creative with our methods, but at the same time it was a little hard to determine what exactly we were supposed to do and what was expected from us.
My group and I researched our problem in detail. We looked at the number of malnourished children and adults as well as which countries have the highest percentage of malnourished people. With this information we came up with a few solutions and picked the one that seemed the most reasonable and attainable.
Option 1: Create some sort of hybrid plant that has various nutritious benefits (examples: kale, blueberries, etc.)
Option 2: Create an alternate type of soil to help existing crops grow
Option 3: Make a protein bar with many of the essential nutrients that malnourished people lack
We decided on going with option 3 because it was one of the most attainable options in a two week time period as well as one of the most effective. After researching what nutrients are most commonly lacked in malnourished people, and what foods provide them, the V2 bar was born. Some of the ingredients and health benefits were:
- Whole grain oats - Tons of Fiber, Vitamin E, and other minerals
- Almonds - Vitamin E, Magnesium, other minerals
- Chia Seeds - Antioxidants, Iron, Calcium, Fiber, and Zinc
- Honey - B-complex, A, C, D, E, and K minerals, magnesium, sulfur, phosphorus, iron, calcium, potassium, iodine
- Dried Cranberries and Blueberries - Antioxidants, Vitamins C & E
- Peanut butter - Potassium, Fiber, various Vitamins
After reaching these ingredients, as well as others, we made the bar. We met at my house and made a "tester" batch. They turned out good but the consistency was off. We made the bar the week after that again, and it turned out better. At this point, we started working on our PowerPoint presentation.
Here are some pictures of our bar:
We also made a nutrition facts label to put on our package. This aspect required a lot of calculations. We had to figure out the amount of fiber, carbohydrates, sodium, sugar, protein, etc. per bar, based on the percentage of daily value and average calorie intake. We spent two days working on the label. We also determined that a person would have to eat 4 of these bars a day, to receive their daily nutrients.
Here is a picture of the V2 bar's nutrition facts:
To promote our bar, and expose it to public, we created a website. Our website was designed to spread our message as well as sell the bar. We decided to use a buy one, give one, method to help distribute our bar to people in need.
Here is our website:
Reflection
During this project, we got to choose our groups again. This time I worked with my friends. This improved our attitudes and we worked really well together. Like every other group, we had our ups and downs. The first thing that we did well was time management. Our group was very compatible, which helped us power through the research and finish the project early. With the extra time, we were able to practice and perfect our presentation. Another thing I did well was maintain a positive attitude. Working with my friends helped to relieve my stress and I had a much better outlook on the project. One thing I could improve on is staying on task more. Being in a group with my friends can be easily distracting. Occasionally, I found our group talking about irrelevant things rather than staying focused. In the end this wasn't an issue because we were able to balance our work with a little fun. Another thing I can improve on is standing up for my ideas. In a few instances, I found that I had very different ideas than the rest of my group. My opinions were sometimes not heard or understood as clearly as I wanted them to be. Next time, I will try to explain my ideas more clearly and make sure they are understood.
During this project, we got to choose our groups again. This time I worked with my friends. This improved our attitudes and we worked really well together. Like every other group, we had our ups and downs. The first thing that we did well was time management. Our group was very compatible, which helped us power through the research and finish the project early. With the extra time, we were able to practice and perfect our presentation. Another thing I did well was maintain a positive attitude. Working with my friends helped to relieve my stress and I had a much better outlook on the project. One thing I could improve on is staying on task more. Being in a group with my friends can be easily distracting. Occasionally, I found our group talking about irrelevant things rather than staying focused. In the end this wasn't an issue because we were able to balance our work with a little fun. Another thing I can improve on is standing up for my ideas. In a few instances, I found that I had very different ideas than the rest of my group. My opinions were sometimes not heard or understood as clearly as I wanted them to be. Next time, I will try to explain my ideas more clearly and make sure they are understood.