Summer Learning Journey Day 3 Week 3

DAY 3: Inventive Inventors

Activity 1: Nanogirl [4 points]

Michelle Dickinson, AKA “Nanogirl”, is a nanotechnologist. That is an engineer or scientist who works with very small items called “molecules.” Michelle is famous for creating cool shows about science which she performs in schools around New Zealand. When she isn’t performing, she is working as a scientist in her own lab in Auckland. Over the years she has written two books and won many awards including the New Zealand Women of Influence in Innovation and Science Award and The New Zealand Order of Merit for her innovative work.

Like Michelle, many people in New Zealand like to create nano-sized (tiny) things. Some people even like to build tiny houses.

For this activity, please look at the following pictures of tiny houses. Each house was built here in New Zealand. After looking at the pictures, please tell us whether, or not, you would like to live in a tiny house one day. Be sure to tell us why you feel the way that you do. Post your answer on your blog.

To be honest, I don't like these new tiny house because of afew reasons. My first reason is that as you can see on the 2 photo, Part of the house is glass which clearly exposes your privacy. My second reason is that the buildings are being built in New Zealand. There are a lot of islanders in New Zealand and they all have at least 6 kids, and living in a tiny house will be a nightmare!  My third and final reason is that people with claustrophobia would feel uncomfortable living in such a tiny house! 

Activity 2: Printing Prosthetics [4 points]

In 1983 a man named Chuck Hull invented the first 3D printer. A 3D printer follows a design that has been created on a computer. The printer simply ‘prints out’ the design in layers, often using a material like plastic.

3D printing has changed the way we are designing and manufacturing (creating) all sorts of things It is possible to 3D print parts for machines, buildings and even humans!

If you have ever broken an arm and needed a plaster cast you will know that they’re not much fun to wear - especially in summer! Here in New Zealand, a man named Jake Evill has designed a lighter 3D printed plaster cast that is strong, recyclable, waterproof, and ventilated (let’s air in). The 3D design is quite different from a ‘regular’ or traditional plaster cast. Here are pictures of the two casts. The red is the traditional cast while the white one is the 3D printed plaster version.

For this activity, we would like you to compare the two designs. Which one do you like better? Why? Please give three reasons to support your decision. Post your work on your blog.

Activity 3: Need for Speed [6 points]

We have had many inventors here in New Zealand who have created things that have changed the world. Two of these inventors were Bill Hamilton (1899-1978) and John Britten (1950-1995).

Bill Hamilton grew up on a farm in the South Island of New Zealand. One of his first inventions was a tow rope to pull skiers up a ski field. His most famous invention, however, is the development of the modern jet boat engine. It allows boats, like the Huka Falls jet, to travel at lightning speed along rivers. Bill Hamilton invented the jet boat to solve a problem.

John Britten, on the other hand, loved to rebuild vehicles, including motorbikes. He set up the Britten Motorcycle Company from his garage in Christchurch, New Zealand. One of his bikes, the V1000, won a number of international races and set a world speed record for going 304km per hour! Wow! Now that is fast...!

For this activity we would like you to design your own fast vehicle. It can be anything! Please draw your super-fast vehicle on paper. If it was me, I would make my super-fast vehicle something that I could use to get to school and home again each day! Post a picture of your speedy vehicle along with a written description of how it works on your blog. Be sure to tell us what your vehicle is made of, how fast it goes, and who might use your vehicle.

I didn't have any paper so I drew my car on a Google Drawing. I named my car "Alphex". My car is made out of Steel and it can travel up to a whopping 300 mph! I'll only use my cars for racing purposes because I don't want anybody to get hurt when I use my full speed!