Electricity Unit
In this unit we learn about electricity and magnetism and how they are related, ways to produce electricity, micro grids, how circuits and electronics work, and how to program and use a Breadboards. We also had two projects this unit; Robot Art Show and Power Novato
Robot Art Show
Before we could start to work on the Robot Art Show, we had to learn several key ideas of this unit. We first learn about Ohm's Law, voltage, current, and resistance and how that applies in a circuit. Then we learn about electronics and electronic parts. After that we learned how to code and program using arduino. We then applied that knowledge to make simple circuits with electronic parts on a breadboard. After we learned all of the key ideas of the unit we then start to design our Robot Art Show. In this project we had to make a song using adunio, our programming knowledge, and electronic parts to please our future robot overlords.
Concepts
Voltage- potential energy difference from one side of a component to the other side
Current- "flow" of charge through a circuit
Resistance- amount of current slowed or resisted through an object
Circuit- a closed loops that's connected to the positive and negative side of a power source with a electrically conductive material
Concepts
Voltage- potential energy difference from one side of a component to the other side
Current- "flow" of charge through a circuit
Resistance- amount of current slowed or resisted through an object
Circuit- a closed loops that's connected to the positive and negative side of a power source with a electrically conductive material
Power Novato
Like the Robot Art Show we had to learn several key ideas before we start to designed a way to power Novato. We first did a lab were we build wind turbines and observed how different wind turbine designs and different wind speed effect the amount of power produced. After that we learned about how positive and negative fields interact with each other by using programs and labs. Then we did a lab were we created an electromagnet and dissected a motor to see how electrical fields can lead to magnetic fields and how magnetic fields can lead to electrical fields. Before our project we went on a field trip to a micro grid in Sonoma to see how a real micro grid would work in practice and what makes up a micro grid. After all of this we started to design a micro grid to power Novato. For the Power Novato project we had to make a micro grid to power Novato, a city in Marin county, that is made up of several different types of power sources and ways to store energy. We also had to have a detailed plan of the cost, placement, power production, and types of power sources we would be using of our micro grid.
Concepts
Micro grid - a group of electricity sources that normally operates connected to an electrical grid, but can disconnect and function autonomously
Concepts
Micro grid - a group of electricity sources that normally operates connected to an electrical grid, but can disconnect and function autonomously
Our Projects
Reflection
Looking back on these project I think my group did quiet well on them. Both the projects felt a little tedious. The Robot Art Show was a little confusing since it dealt with coding. Also, the Power Novato project was time consuming since we had to do a lot of calculations. In the end both the projects turned out all right.
During these project I did somethings quiet well. When we were working on the Power Novato project I took on the role of leader. I helped split up the work equally between myself and my team mates. I also help monitor my groups progress, to that we would finish on time. My work ethic in the Power Novato project was better than it was in the Robot Art Show. I make sure I was on task and always to doing something productive. I also found problems in our calculations that would mess up parts of our project and fixed them.
Even though I did somethings well there are other things I did poorly and that I could work on. During the Robot Art Show I wasn't helpful to my team. Due to my lack of knowledge in programming is was mostly useless for the entire project. I should have done some research on programming so I would have been more help to my team. I also play a passive role during the Robot Art Show. I mostly did what my team mates told me to do and I didn't contribute a lot of ideas to the project. I should have try to get a better understanding of the project we were doing so that I could have contributed more ideas and have the confidence to do so.
During these project I did somethings quiet well. When we were working on the Power Novato project I took on the role of leader. I helped split up the work equally between myself and my team mates. I also help monitor my groups progress, to that we would finish on time. My work ethic in the Power Novato project was better than it was in the Robot Art Show. I make sure I was on task and always to doing something productive. I also found problems in our calculations that would mess up parts of our project and fixed them.
Even though I did somethings well there are other things I did poorly and that I could work on. During the Robot Art Show I wasn't helpful to my team. Due to my lack of knowledge in programming is was mostly useless for the entire project. I should have done some research on programming so I would have been more help to my team. I also play a passive role during the Robot Art Show. I mostly did what my team mates told me to do and I didn't contribute a lot of ideas to the project. I should have try to get a better understanding of the project we were doing so that I could have contributed more ideas and have the confidence to do so.