In the first STEAM class of my junior year, Design and Engineering, we are going over what really makes a tool a tool, and all the steps designers have to take when making one. In the first unit of this course, which is called Stronger, the class went over the history of some tools, and we were also introduced to some math concepts that include angles, pressure, force and leverage. For the action project, the class was assigned to work with a partner and brainstorm ideas of how to improve and redesign an existing tool. My partner and I decided to look into the machete. We looked into all the different designs that were available and came up with a better one that would also be safe for an elderly person. At first, my partner and I had a hard time thinking about why an elderly person would even have a machete, but then we also thought about the possibility that they would, and how we could make it easier for them. I'm proud of how my partner and I communicated during this project, and I learned about new steps that could help me in the future when it comes to redesigning something.
JB. Machete. (2015)
As my partner and I were talking about the machete, we were also discussing the consumers, because we wanted to make sure that we added an element of empathy, which is being able to understand and share the feelings of others. We realized that machetes are pretty dangerous, especially for an older person. As I did research and looked at the ones at the store I noticed that the machetes are just out in a long box and it was pretty easy to just simply take the machete out and use it. Just looking at one scared me, which is why my partner and I decided to give our machete a rubber blade cover. It protects the user from the blade, along with stopping the look of the blade from scaring people away. As I was interviewing my grandpa, I asked him why he doesn't really use tools and he responded by saying that "sometimes they take up too much space and are too heavy." This got me thinking about a way to make the machete lighter. We decided that the handles would have a gel grip handle that would make it more comfortable for the user, and it would also be lighter. We also have a notch for cutting wire and other strings or cords. Other machetes have that feature, but they don't have a button that controls the retractable blade. I did more research and I noticed the curve feature usually makes the price of the machete go up, but that would not happen with ours. We also made sure to add a lock to that button to let the user know the blade won't just come out. Along with the retractable button, we added a hinge so that the user can fold up the machete and put it into the rubber blade cover. It would look better but it would also take up less space. The Old Slice is also a few inches longer in the handle, which means that the consumer would not have to do as much bending or going on their tippy toes while chopping something down. Our machete would be considered a wedge because the blade is used to cut and separate objects. Even though we made the machete more safe, the Old Slice is still able to do all the monster chopping that you need it to do. Below there is a storyboard of the Old Slice.
In the first Humanities class of my junior year, Rhetoric, we are going over how to use our voices to bring people together, divide the opinions of people and transcend conflict. In the first unit of this class, which is called, Suppose, the class went over the different devices and appeals in speech, and how to work those around in order to persuade an audience. For the action project, the class was assigned to choose a topic that we could make into a debate, and try to defend our position. I chose the topic, "Why summer is really better than the rest" because summer is my favorite season, and I want others to know how to take advantage of the beautiful season.We were also assigned to create a logo for our topic. At first I had a hard time picking a topic that I was actually passionate about, but then as I was looking through pictures of my summer, the idea hit me. I was really into this topic, so writing the speech was actually exciting. I'm proud that I correctly learned how to apply the different devices and appeals into my speech in order to feel a connection with my audience. I hope you enjoy my video and speech below!
Summer is that breath of fresh air we’ve all been craving. Many people agree with this because it’s our chance to recharge and to finally be able to touch a piece of freedom. Some people don’t agree with this though, still saying that the fall, spring and winter are the best seasons, but that’s because they don’t really know about all the many benefits and reasons for why summer is really better than the rest.
Being able to splash around in the pool or beach all day sounds way better than sitting in a classroom and being drowned with tons of homework. Instead of staying up late because of homework, I was staying up late this summer at bonfires hearing the marshmallows roast and the laughter of my friends. Instead of rushing to class, I was rushing to see the sunrise along the ocean. Instead of hearing the screams of teachers or annoying students, I was able to enjoy the peaceful sounds of the ocean as I laid under a palm tree, letting the waves wash away my worries. Summer is your chance to finally get on that huge water slide you were scared of before. It’s your chance to go explore a whole different country or even just your city, without mother nature making you feel like you should have never have set foot outside your house.It’s your chance to explore yourself without school getting in the way. Summer is your chance to get a little wild.
If you want to get wild though, you have to make sure you’re healthy, and that’s easy when your medicine is shining right at you, giving you that attractive tan. Besides getting that nice tan, the sun is also providing you with vitamin D, which can prevent many fractures and heart attacks. In Boston, researchers discovered that half of the women who walked into their doctor's’ offices with hip fractures had low levels of vitamin D, which can simply be boosted by sunlight. Ultraviolet light changes cholesterol to Vitamin D. That means that stepping out in the sun is a good way to lower cholesterol levels, which can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. In Canada, doctors ran tests linking the weather and migraines, and they discovered that sunny and clear weather lowers the attacks of migraines.
If bonfires, vacation, travel, and stronger bones don’t convince you, we’re also in for a pretty sweet and healthy treat in the summer. During the summer, we’re more prone to eat fruit than a bag of chips. We go for the berries over the fatty snacks, which can boost our immune systems. The British Nutrition Foundation also found that berries have phytochemicals, which can help prevent diseases like cancer. Water is also our best friend in the summer, because it's making sure your body is in the right place to jump out of that boring state of mind that we had during the school year.
Obviously the summer is a chance for you to explore yourself and many other fun things, but it's also giving you more access to living a healthier life, we just have to go out and enjoy the beauty of summer. Which is what I’m about to do now!
RD. Summertime. 2015
Work sited: "Ten Reasons Why Summer Is Good for You." Mail Online. Associated Newspapers, n.d. Web. 23 Sept. 2015. "These Photos Prove Why Summer Is the Best Season of All." RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Sept. 2015
