1/24/09

ENGINEERING BASIC NOTE BOOK

I've just completed a 30 page notebook on the Engineering Basics. This book will be used in a Sunday discussion (1/25/09) I have with my son's Den Meeting for Cubscouts.  The areas discussed in this book includes the follow topics:

bulletWHAT IS ENGINEERING?
bulletHANDS ON PROJECT:BUILD A PILL BOTTLE NIGHT LIGHT
bulletWHAT IS A FLOOR PLAN?
bulletWHAT IS AN ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM?
bulletCONSTRUCTION OF A DC GENERATOR
bulletEXAMPLES OF GENERATORS
bulletWHAT IS A BRIDGE?

The Pill Bottle Night Light , I think, is a pretty cool project for SCITECH families because of the following objectives:

bulletRECYCLE EXISTING HOUSE-HOLD ITEMS
bulletLEARN HOW TO PROTOTYPE CONSUMER PRODUCTS
bulletLEARN HOW TO USE DC (DIRECT CURRENT) ELECTRICITY
bulletLEARN BASICS OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS
bulletLEARN BASICS OF AN ELECTRIC LIGHT BULB.

For the my son's Cubscout Den Meeting, I plan to use a LEGO NXT with an Ultrasound Sensor to turn on the Pill Bottle Night Light upon detecting an object. The Ultrasound Sensor will act as a Proximity Sensor thereby detecting the presence or absence of an object. The Pill Bottle Night Light will provide the visual for when an object is detected.

I plan to post a project showing how a  LEGO NXT or Handy Cricket Controller can be used to control the Pill Bottle Night Light automation style using simple detection sensors.  Stay tune for future blog postings.

 Enjoy!!!