Explore – The Engineering Design Process

Explore

After deciding on the idea of a seismometer for the Microbit Smart Device Challenge Final Project, I started researching about how seismometers work. I found out that almost all earthquake detectors have a heavy mass suspended in midair from a frame by a spring or a string. Because of the pendulum principle, the heavy mass moves more when in midair. Some of the most sensitive seismometers that can detect even the smallest vibrations are all made in this context. After I read this, I immediately came up with an idea to make my project work. I could tie a very long, thin string to a box, add things in, for example, coins, and suspend it in midair, and finally I could put the micro-bit inside the box, which is programmed to beep and light up once it detects vibrations. By suspending the micro-bit in midair and by making its mass heavier, it would allow it to be even more sensitive to vibrations.

Identify the Problem – The Engineering Design Process

Identify the Problem

Even though earthquakes are not that common in everyday life, when they do actually occur, they could be very dangerous and deadly. Lots of people do not realize there is an earthquake just before it happens, and are not prepared for it, resulting in injury or death. Also, not everyone has an earthquake detector. On the February advisory, after I was told that we had to design a smart device that could actually help people out with micro-bits, I came up with many ideas, but eventually stuck onto an earthquake detector, which could be very useful to alert people when a sizable earthquake strikes. Once my coded micro-bit detects vibrations given off by the earthquake, it would immediately start beeping, alerting people to get to cover.

My Favorite Website

My favorite website is probably YouTube because I learn many new stuff on it, or simply just to entertain myself. I even sometimes prefer it over TV.  I watch videos from science experiments to trick shots to gaming videos. Some of my favorite YouTubers are Pewdiepie, Markiplier, Jacksepticeye and MrBeast (there are many more but I can’t list them all, or else its going to fill up the whole page).

A Picture that has Impacted Me

 

This is my favorite image for a couple of reasons. The first reason is because it is my favorite holiday. Every time I look at this picture, all I can think of is happiness. The second reason is because I get to spend lots of time with my family at this time of year. When I look at it, I always feel warm, not because of the fire in this picture, but because of all the fun things I do with my family during Christmas. The third and final reason is because I usually travel at this time of year. So when I look at this picture, it reminds me of all the happy memories during the trip. So, when I look at this picture, it makes me feel several different independent feelings.

My Favorite YouTube Clip

I don’t really have a favorite YouTube clip, but probably the most helpful one to me is a video of all the famous pieces Frédéric Chopin composed because I play the piano and it motivates me to play all his famous works, one by one. It is also my favorite piece because it helps me concentrate when I am working on homework and projects.

My Favorite Quote

“Nothing is impossible. The word itself says ‘I’m possible!'”  -Audrey Hepburn

This is my favorite quote because every time I see this quote, it encourages me to put more effort into my homework, projects and assignments. I am a type of person that often needs encouraging. But after one day I saw this quote, I believe that truly, nothing is impossible. If you try hard enough and look at things at a different way, maybe you can see that anything is possible, just like what you did with this quote!