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Shaia Journal Entries:
Week 1:
This week began as an emotional rollercoaster. As the week began, even prior to our group beginning on the PuzzleIt, we were stuck with a quite difficult project: an autonomous car. After finishing that, we allocated the jobs and I was given Website Management, our Purchase Form, and the Social Medias. The Website Management was fairly easy, using my experience from last year, as well as my improvement in creativity/digital design (as seen through the beautiful website you are currently reading this on). The Purchase Form was a hassle due to not being able to find cheap products until eventually I found fairly cheap while also reliable parts. The Social Medias were not an issue, however, the issue was remembering the password to our email. Due to this, we couldn't even create the accounts! Eventually, with the help of the company's CEO, we figured out the password and began posting on the new and improved accounts (@puzzle_it_games). Similarly, with the website, I used much of the experience and feedback from last year to greatly improve on this year's social media posts and account management. After that, the very quick week was over. See you next week!
Week 2:
This week began last week for me. As soon as week 1 finished on Friday, I began looking ahead. I did this because I knew ahead of time that on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, I would be on a trip with my school Marching Band and would not be able to work on anything during that time. Knowing this, we allocated the jobs and I was given the task of completing the electrical diagrams for the PuzzleIt Game modules, updating the social medias (go follow us on Instagram and Twitter), and continuing work on the website (which is continuing to grow more beautiful every week). I quickly finished the electrical diagrams for the PuzzleIt Game modules, but then went on the trip. The rest of the team continued working while I was gone, keeping me updated on changes and updates with the company. Upon my return, we finished the rest of the assignments and wrote the journal entries (which you are reading right now).
Week 3:
This week I was tasked with adding dimensions to all of the CAD drawings, researching the sensors in our product (a button lol), assisting in the distribution of the target surveys, and assisting in the production of the Target Profile (all of which can be seen on this beautiful website designed by yours truly). Researching the sensor was very easy since buttons are very common in almost every single machine/invention so there were plenty of available sources. The distribution of the target surveys was easy as well since we needed to get responses from parents (which there is obviously not a shortage of). Constructing the Target Profile was easy but I was not the one constructing it, I was simply aiding Annabel while she constructed it since she had not made one before (and I have since this is my second year doing this project). I felt that this week was slower since we spent the majority of the week attempting to get the survey responses, however, it ended up well. See you next week!
Week 4:
This week, like week 2, it began with me looking ahead. I know ahead of time (as mentioned in Annabel's journal entry), that I was on a trip out of state from Monday to Wednesday. My jobs for this week were collating the data and assembling the sensor prototype. While away, the rest of the team continued working with full effort and I applaud them for that. As soon as I returned, I quickly constructed the sensor test and recorded the incredible video found underneath the Prototype section of this (beautiful) website. The week ended just as quickly as it began, which means that is all for now. See you next week!
Week 5:
This week my jobs were constructing a prototype case, creating the website's Team page (as well as simply managing the website), and working with the team to write the script for the elevator pitch. Construction of the case was very easy since I had already made the models months in advance, all that was needed was to resize them to the correct dimensions. The first model of the modules came out flawlessly, with only minor changes needed to be made. I have begun learning how to operate a CNC machine, which will be used to construct the tray itself. After photographing and recording the model, I began the durability test. Although I am the CMO, Head of Website Management, and Chief Hardware Engineer, I am very stupid and thought a good durability test would be to smash the model with a hammer. A heavy, metal hammer. Long story short, it broke (video under prototype section). After that, I decided "one more hit cant hurt anyone," and took a whack at it once more, however this time, without safety goggles (uh oh). I smashed the model, and a tiny piece of PLA plastic flung and hit me in the eye. Let us just say I threw out the model shortly after. The Team page was also very easy since I had already made it ahead of time knowing we would need it, updating it regularly as needed. Lastly, the elevator pitch was fun to write with the team, coming up with ideas for the skit we are going to do, such as coming up with the idea of me being dressed up and acting like a baby (check out the script in the Video section). After a slow and tiring week with an eventful finish, the week was over. See you next week!
Week 6:
This week my jobs were continuing assembly of the prototype and assisting in the production of the presentation for the elevator pitch. Assembly of the prototype has gone smoothly, I am expecting trouble, however, when I attempt to input all the circuitry into the models. The presentation for the elevator pitch has gone smoothly as well, since Annabel and I repurposed our presentation from a few months ago, however, with updated information and graphs/charts. The week was a long one, however, went by relatively quickly. And with that, the week was over. See you next week!
Week 7:
This week my jobs were to continue construction of the prototype as well as continue managing the website and social media as normal. Construction was similar to last week. Due to the code not working last week, Gabriel and I had to work together to fix it. However, we both were on a school trip the entirety of the week, only leaving us with a few days to work on it. Working together, he finished the code and got it working, while I also redesigned the wiring of the circuitry in an attempt to make it easier to input into the case of the individual modules. I also worked with Gabriel on fixing the business plan. After uploading everything to the website, the week was over. See you next week!
Week 8:
This week my jobs were to finish the construction of the prototype as well as help the group with filming the commercial and product pitch. The filming of the pitch was fairly straightforward and easy since I have experience memorizing scripts due to my past involvement in various films and school productions. The construction of the prototype, on the other hand, was way harder. Due to various alterations in the model, the cases for the circuitry were not finished until Tuesday morning. After spray painting, sanding, and cleaning the cases, I moved on to the implementation of the circuitry into the device. That was the biggest struggle by far. Soldering and resoldering wires over and over, a lot of tape, a massive headache, a few mental breakdowns, and a tiny sprinkle of tears to friends, it still doesn't work. And with that, the week was over. See you next week!