ENGR 1620: The Problem Formulators

Slide 1: 

Problem Formulators the Nik Philipsen Eric Smith Delia McGee Eric Lum Matt Lapuz Logan McCann Hanifah Hendricks

Summary : 

Summary The Problem Formulators primarily recommend the addition of an Energy Station to the Virginia Discovery Museum. We suggest an Energy Station because it would be both educational and exciting for every kid that attends the Museum. Maintenance would be simple, leading towards a very sustainable exhibit. Parents could interact with kids to increase their educational understanding, and heighten children’s overall experience at the Museum. Should this idea not fit in with future plans for the Museum, we have created other reasonable exhibits such as an Espionage Hallway, a Traffic Hallway, Falling Items, and a Grocery Store.

Overview of Objectives : 

Overview of Objectives Sustainability – Ability to withstand constant use by museum guests. Feasibility – Likelihood of the concept being finalized in a reasonable time period, and practicalityin regards to the materials’ cost. Education – Ability to appeal to guests in an academic sense. The exhibit should provide opportunities for guests to learn and expand intellectual reasoning. Parent/Child Interaction – The exhibit promotes child and parent teamwork. The children should look to parents for guidance and support as they interact with the exhibit. Maintenance – Simple and cost-friendly repairs, if necessary. Excitement – Capacity to appeal to the young guests and retain their interest.

Rationale : 

Rationale We evaluated each idea according to our objectives EDUCATION

Rationale, Continued : 

Rationale, Continued FEASABILITY PARENT/ CHILD INTERACTION

Project Options : 

Project Options Energy Station Espionage Hallway Traffic Hallway Grocery Store Falling Items Tibet Animals Water Tub Clear Pipe Cylinder Super-Size Piano Forces Simon Says Light up Hop Scotch

Recommendation: Energy Station : 

Recommendation: Energy Station Make an electrical circuit exhibit powered by a hand-crank generator. Exhibit will power lights with different types of bulbs or circuit elements. Different lights (incandescent, LED) could show energy efficiency. Children could place models of energy sources (coal, solar, etc.) in front of a sensor to get more information

Espionage Hallway : 

Espionage Hallway Decorate hallway or set up exhibit near wall. Children cross a path lined with motion sensors (or others) without alerting sensors. If sensor picks up movement, alarm sound goes off. Potential for education – spatial reasoning, history of spies, security system knowledge

Traffic Hallway : 

Traffic Hallway Change rainforest hallway to a road-system themed hallway. Place pictures of cars, buses, bikes, etc. with info. Hang stoplight from the ceiling, place motion sensors in front of the light. Red light goes on with movement, waits, then changes to green. Movement during red light causes police car sounds.

Grocery Store : 

Grocery Store Build “check-out station” with scanners (RFID?) Create items with transponders inside (RFID?) Children “scan” items across scanner, checkout noise is made with audio response.

Items Falling : 

Items Falling Build “dropping” chamber to drop items in; items fall simultaneously Mat with sensors on bottom sensors which item wins race to bottom. Sensors could trigger “victory” sound. Aerodynamic information listed on chamber.

Restate Recommendation : 

Restate Recommendation The energy station received the highest ratings in our chart. It is the most educational and is also engaging for parents and children. Although the concept of energy may only be fully understood by the older children, the exhibit will still attract all ages. The power lights would generate excitement and would be easy to maintain. The crank would be similar to the gear exhibit in that it would be highly sustainable Maintenance, interaction, excitement, sustainability, and education were the most important objectives, following the safety and use of sensors requirements. This exhibit shows the best of these objectives and would fit well into the Virginia Discovery Museum.

Final Thoughts : 

Final Thoughts As you can see, our ideas emphasize education, amusement, and parent child interaction. We believe that they would provide a healthy contribution to the Virginia Discovery Museum. We hope you consider our recommendations. Feel free to ask any questions.