For the weekly updates, please cover the following bullets.
- Status report of activities, research, ground based data, NESI updates placed on website
- Engineering Notebook updates and please post examples from week
- Photos of work through the week
- Updates to Experiment/Design of Box/Parts
- Update any changes to materials list (Please let myself and CASIS Ops know if changes are made in case we need to coordinate with Nano Racks)
- Any information on Media/Community involvement/Visits from Mentors
Weekly Update 5/20/15
This week, we were preparing for our CASIS showcase. Then on Wednesday of this week which was 5/20/15. It went very well and we then announced our new current launch date. Right now our launch is June 26th, 2015.
This week, we were preparing for our CASIS showcase. Then on Wednesday of this week which was 5/20/15. It went very well and we then announced our new current launch date. Right now our launch is June 26th, 2015.
Weekly Update 5/12/15
This week, the groups have been working on our presentation for the final iSTEM CASIS project showcase. The showcase will be
This week, the groups have been working on our presentation for the final iSTEM CASIS project showcase. The showcase will be
Weekly Update 2/17/15
NESI: Hardware and Software Groups
NESI: Hardware and Software Groups
- New code sent from Vince at TAM. Fixed 6 hour photo issue. Photos are now being taken every 6 hours.
- Setting up 24 hour test with temp, moisture and photo on Feb 18th, 2015 at 2:00pm. Results soon. See below for photo from this test.
Weekly Update 2/5/15
This week the biology teams are very busy they're going to be setting up for many tests. Those tests include a long term sponge test, moisture in habitat, and more cold stow tests. They are going to do cold stow tests at 7 degrees Celsius and 4 degrees Celsius both of these tests will last 5 days. They biology teams have noticed that the worms aren't holding up to the cold stow as well as they hoped. The moisture in habitat tests will last 24 hours, 48 hours, and 5 days; these will test the amount of moisture that the habitat holds. The long term sponge test will test how much moisture the sponge can hold for the worms. The mechanical team was working on a gasket to waterproof the door which didn't work so they are going to try a new spray on sealant. The software team is getting ready to start a new 24 hour test on the camera because the last one was unsuccessful. This time they've changed the wait so it will take 36 pictures instead of 1085 pictures. The hardware team is going to get a new camera with a wider lens. The hardware team also finished soldering the NESI board and wiring the box. The engineering structures team are working on fitting sponges in the box and fixing minor details.
This week the biology teams are very busy they're going to be setting up for many tests. Those tests include a long term sponge test, moisture in habitat, and more cold stow tests. They are going to do cold stow tests at 7 degrees Celsius and 4 degrees Celsius both of these tests will last 5 days. They biology teams have noticed that the worms aren't holding up to the cold stow as well as they hoped. The moisture in habitat tests will last 24 hours, 48 hours, and 5 days; these will test the amount of moisture that the habitat holds. The long term sponge test will test how much moisture the sponge can hold for the worms. The mechanical team was working on a gasket to waterproof the door which didn't work so they are going to try a new spray on sealant. The software team is getting ready to start a new 24 hour test on the camera because the last one was unsuccessful. This time they've changed the wait so it will take 36 pictures instead of 1085 pictures. The hardware team is going to get a new camera with a wider lens. The hardware team also finished soldering the NESI board and wiring the box. The engineering structures team are working on fitting sponges in the box and fixing minor details.
Weekly Update 1/14/15 - 1/16/15
This week the whole 8th grade iSTEM went through all of our due dates for our project with Mrs.Atzmiller and Mr.Swift. Our current due date for the whole project to be finished and ready to be launched is 5/6/15. This brings me to saying our current launch date, so it is 6/13/15. Though we got a message from CASIS today that our launch could get srubbed again for July. What the groups have been doing this week is Cold stow experiments with the worms and more adjustment on our box to launch the worms in. We also are testing moisture tests with sponges and the worms.
This week the whole 8th grade iSTEM went through all of our due dates for our project with Mrs.Atzmiller and Mr.Swift. Our current due date for the whole project to be finished and ready to be launched is 5/6/15. This brings me to saying our current launch date, so it is 6/13/15. Though we got a message from CASIS today that our launch could get srubbed again for July. What the groups have been doing this week is Cold stow experiments with the worms and more adjustment on our box to launch the worms in. We also are testing moisture tests with sponges and the worms.
Weekly Update 1/7/15 - 1/9/15
This week all of the students came back from break we went over what we have done this past semester, where we are now and where we want to be in the future. The biology teams are going to run more vibration tests soon in addition to a long term cold stow test, soil/light test, agar test, and a bedding/moisture test. The hardware and software teams are going to work on the sensors and testing the code. The mechanical team and software engineering teams are going to continue designing the case and run water tests with the gortex. In addition, they will also be testing vent holes for the box.
This week all of the students came back from break we went over what we have done this past semester, where we are now and where we want to be in the future. The biology teams are going to run more vibration tests soon in addition to a long term cold stow test, soil/light test, agar test, and a bedding/moisture test. The hardware and software teams are going to work on the sensors and testing the code. The mechanical team and software engineering teams are going to continue designing the case and run water tests with the gortex. In addition, they will also be testing vent holes for the box.
Weekly Update 12/2/14
This week, the CASIS groups have been actively working on completing their tests for vibration, compost/ bedding, and other vital things for this experiment. Geetali, Ben and Angelee (each from different groups) have completed and presented the 45 minute presentation that was due on Wednesday. The structure group is finishing up the SketchUp design for printing out the container holding the worms and compost and the other necessary compartments, which they will be printing out on the 3D printer.
This week, the CASIS groups have been actively working on completing their tests for vibration, compost/ bedding, and other vital things for this experiment. Geetali, Ben and Angelee (each from different groups) have completed and presented the 45 minute presentation that was due on Wednesday. The structure group is finishing up the SketchUp design for printing out the container holding the worms and compost and the other necessary compartments, which they will be printing out on the 3D printer.
Weekly Update 11/24/14 - 11/28/14
This week all of the students are on Thanksgiving break. Mr.Swift was able to print two doors and a box for CASIS.
This week all of the students are on Thanksgiving break. Mr.Swift was able to print two doors and a box for CASIS.
Weekly Update 11/17/14 - 11/21/14
This week we confirmed that everyone in 8th grade iSTEM will have the opportunity to be in the Olde Golden Parade on Saturday December 13th the parade begins at 11:00 AM. We would like everyone to meet at 10:00 AM on 10th street.
This week we confirmed that everyone in 8th grade iSTEM will have the opportunity to be in the Olde Golden Parade on Saturday December 13th the parade begins at 11:00 AM. We would like everyone to meet at 10:00 AM on 10th street.
Weekly Update 11/10/14- 11/14/14
This week only a few of the teams worked all week and there was a meeting with the head of Texas A&M as well as CASIS officials. Artie Battaglin, Ethan Cranston, Geetali Lal, Ben Brock, Linus Woodard, and Angelee Davis represented Bell middle and presented what we had so far. At this meeting we learned that the launch was going to be pushed back to June. In addition, the engineering structure team figured out they needed to make the wire hole smaller because the worms were crawling through those holes. Also, the mechanical team got the door printed and ready to test. We also learned that we will need to test the mold with coconut water. The teams also decided there will be lights to propel the worms out of the coldstow area. Lastly, coldstow testing with the worms will be done with bigger worms. Overall, many refined details were discussed and decided upon.
This week only a few of the teams worked all week and there was a meeting with the head of Texas A&M as well as CASIS officials. Artie Battaglin, Ethan Cranston, Geetali Lal, Ben Brock, Linus Woodard, and Angelee Davis represented Bell middle and presented what we had so far. At this meeting we learned that the launch was going to be pushed back to June. In addition, the engineering structure team figured out they needed to make the wire hole smaller because the worms were crawling through those holes. Also, the mechanical team got the door printed and ready to test. We also learned that we will need to test the mold with coconut water. The teams also decided there will be lights to propel the worms out of the coldstow area. Lastly, coldstow testing with the worms will be done with bigger worms. Overall, many refined details were discussed and decided upon.
Weekly Update 11/3/14- 11/7/14
This week only a few of the groups worked and much more testing was done especially with the compost. The software and hardware teams worked with the box and the NESI board trying to get a clearer image of the worms in the box. The biology teams also did some testing with the box.
This week only a few of the groups worked and much more testing was done especially with the compost. The software and hardware teams worked with the box and the NESI board trying to get a clearer image of the worms in the box. The biology teams also did some testing with the box.
Weekly Update 10/27/14- 10/31/14
This week all the teams were mostly finalizing everything they were doing or they performing minor modifications on various things. The Hardware and Software teams were trying to fix the camera and get clearer images. The Engineering Structure team was finalizing the sketchup of the final model and trying to get that printed, as well as ordering parts (nuts and bolts). The mechanical team was finalizing the door design and getting that design ready to 3D print. The art team contacted the patch and sticker companies. In addition, the art team had their first meeting with Ms. Arntson. The Biology Compost team did the final bedding experiment data collection. The experimental design team wrote procedures for the AGAR and capillary action experiments. The biology testing team set up the Sponge experiment which included threading the sponges. Overall, the teams had a relaxed and structured week.
This week all the teams were mostly finalizing everything they were doing or they performing minor modifications on various things. The Hardware and Software teams were trying to fix the camera and get clearer images. The Engineering Structure team was finalizing the sketchup of the final model and trying to get that printed, as well as ordering parts (nuts and bolts). The mechanical team was finalizing the door design and getting that design ready to 3D print. The art team contacted the patch and sticker companies. In addition, the art team had their first meeting with Ms. Arntson. The Biology Compost team did the final bedding experiment data collection. The experimental design team wrote procedures for the AGAR and capillary action experiments. The biology testing team set up the Sponge experiment which included threading the sponges. Overall, the teams had a relaxed and structured week.
Weekly Update 10/20/14- 10/24/14
This week the team leaders had a meeting all together at this meeting they all got caught up with information from experiments. The biology teams did experiments with soil and radiation. The art group completed the final patch and contacted sticker and patch companies. The hardware group soldered and worked with the software group. The engineering structure group completed the final sketchup and worked with mechanical the talk about the door, they were also thinking about LED lighting. The mechanical group worked on the servo and how they were going to make the pizza swivel door work.
This week the team leaders had a meeting all together at this meeting they all got caught up with information from experiments. The biology teams did experiments with soil and radiation. The art group completed the final patch and contacted sticker and patch companies. The hardware group soldered and worked with the software group. The engineering structure group completed the final sketchup and worked with mechanical the talk about the door, they were also thinking about LED lighting. The mechanical group worked on the servo and how they were going to make the pizza swivel door work.
Weekly Update 10/13/14- 10/17/14
This week all of the groups except the art group and the communications group worked on a materials list. This list will go to CASIS they will then send on the list to NASA and nanorax. Theses agencies will decide if all the materials were using or want to use are safe. The art group made preparations for made figurines, stickers, and posters. The communications group worked on interviews and weekly updates.
Weekly Update 10/6/14- 10/10/14
This week all of the groups were working on preparing for the showcase. This entailed creating a presentation for the group about our mission and what we had been doing during the CASIS project. At the showcase we presented these to the parents, adults, and children that had come to the iSTEM head quarters. The presentations varied from imovie to paper presentations on posters. The showcase was a success as we educated many people on our work this project. Mrs. Atzmiller and Mr. Swift made the final executive decision to have a door in the box.
Weekly Update 9/29/14- 10/3/14
This week we worked on our individual activities. The mechanical and engineering structure groups worked on designing the box that we're going to send the worms up in. Many of the biology teams were testing compost, and insulation for the worms. They concluded that gelatin isn't stable enough to house the worms in. In addition, we decided we wouldn't be using memory foam because it is flammable. The art group was working on the mission patch and finalizing that on google draw.
Weekly Update 9/22/14- 9/26/14
This week the teams were working on their daily tasks. For the biology teams this meant running and conducting many tests to keep the worms safe. The mechanical and engineering structure groups worked on designing the box. All of the other groups except the art group worked on design matrices as a whole group. While we were designing these we thought about using gelatin to keep the worms stable during launch. Also the kinds of doors we might want to use or even if there was going to be a door in the box.
Weekly Update 9/15/14 - 9/19/14
This week during the CASIS ISS project, the biology team did some important experiments for the worms health. First the biology testing group did a new cold-stow procedure that will test if the worms can be launched in cold-stow. Also this group tested some moisture techniques for the worms. They did vibration testing and this will be good to know for when they launch. The next biology group is Experimental design, this week they got help from a CASIS employee, Alli Westover. They needed help from her so they can get better designs, and soil ideas. Also this group brainstormed some new ideas and they did an new experiment on using gelatin. Lastly compost team, they did some research and they are setting up some procedures for upcoming experiments. The art group worked on the mission patch, and came up with some more good ideas for the mission patch. Next the software group worked on the functional block diagram. Then the structural group finalized their designs. The hardware group has finalized their old designs, working on their new designs, and communicating with Texas A&M. That is what has happened this week with all of the CASIS groups.
Weekly Update 9/8/14 - 9/12/14
This week during the CASIS ISS project the biology team ran many tests. For example, the experimental design team tested cold-stow which is testing the worms reaction to the cold, specifically if they moved and composted. In addition, the biology testing team tested vibrations and cold-stow. Lastly, the compost team tested which compost would be best for the worms to live in. The results of the test revealed that we need cushioning for the worms to survive; also cardboard was very good bedding. On 9/12/14 we discussed solutions for these problems such as vibrations and moisture.
This week all of the groups except the art group and the communications group worked on a materials list. This list will go to CASIS they will then send on the list to NASA and nanorax. Theses agencies will decide if all the materials were using or want to use are safe. The art group made preparations for made figurines, stickers, and posters. The communications group worked on interviews and weekly updates.
Weekly Update 10/6/14- 10/10/14
This week all of the groups were working on preparing for the showcase. This entailed creating a presentation for the group about our mission and what we had been doing during the CASIS project. At the showcase we presented these to the parents, adults, and children that had come to the iSTEM head quarters. The presentations varied from imovie to paper presentations on posters. The showcase was a success as we educated many people on our work this project. Mrs. Atzmiller and Mr. Swift made the final executive decision to have a door in the box.
Weekly Update 9/29/14- 10/3/14
This week we worked on our individual activities. The mechanical and engineering structure groups worked on designing the box that we're going to send the worms up in. Many of the biology teams were testing compost, and insulation for the worms. They concluded that gelatin isn't stable enough to house the worms in. In addition, we decided we wouldn't be using memory foam because it is flammable. The art group was working on the mission patch and finalizing that on google draw.
Weekly Update 9/22/14- 9/26/14
This week the teams were working on their daily tasks. For the biology teams this meant running and conducting many tests to keep the worms safe. The mechanical and engineering structure groups worked on designing the box. All of the other groups except the art group worked on design matrices as a whole group. While we were designing these we thought about using gelatin to keep the worms stable during launch. Also the kinds of doors we might want to use or even if there was going to be a door in the box.
Weekly Update 9/15/14 - 9/19/14
This week during the CASIS ISS project, the biology team did some important experiments for the worms health. First the biology testing group did a new cold-stow procedure that will test if the worms can be launched in cold-stow. Also this group tested some moisture techniques for the worms. They did vibration testing and this will be good to know for when they launch. The next biology group is Experimental design, this week they got help from a CASIS employee, Alli Westover. They needed help from her so they can get better designs, and soil ideas. Also this group brainstormed some new ideas and they did an new experiment on using gelatin. Lastly compost team, they did some research and they are setting up some procedures for upcoming experiments. The art group worked on the mission patch, and came up with some more good ideas for the mission patch. Next the software group worked on the functional block diagram. Then the structural group finalized their designs. The hardware group has finalized their old designs, working on their new designs, and communicating with Texas A&M. That is what has happened this week with all of the CASIS groups.
Weekly Update 9/8/14 - 9/12/14
This week during the CASIS ISS project the biology team ran many tests. For example, the experimental design team tested cold-stow which is testing the worms reaction to the cold, specifically if they moved and composted. In addition, the biology testing team tested vibrations and cold-stow. Lastly, the compost team tested which compost would be best for the worms to live in. The results of the test revealed that we need cushioning for the worms to survive; also cardboard was very good bedding. On 9/12/14 we discussed solutions for these problems such as vibrations and moisture.
Weekly Update 9/1/14- 9/5/14
This week during the CASIS project, the Bio-Testing group was testing how much food worms need over the span of 10 days. Four petri dishes used as environments for now. Two were with soil and 3 worms, and 2 were with 3 worms, soil, and compost. The Bio-Compost group tested which bedding would be best for the survival of the worms, and what the worms will do the most work with. Peat Moss, leaves, etc., were worked with. The Biology Design group was testing how to measure gas levels & doing procedures on how the worms will react. Meanwhile, the Hardware group was busy planning designs for the nest box and finding parts. They were also taking notes on the pre-existing box, and spent some time communicating with Biology groups. Over the week, the Art group was sketching the ideas that they had previously brainstormed. They were also consulting with Ms Rettberg, the art teacher at Bell, for her opinions on the brainstormed Mission Patches. In the Mechanical group, a prototype was being worked on. Details are yet to be released. In Engineering Structure, they spent a lot of time brainstorming, and came up with a few ideas for designs of the box in Sketchup. The Software group set up their computers for this week, as well as started the coding, and communicated with the hardware group. And in Communications, they set up the website for the project, took pictures of the groups in progress, and talked with mentor Mrs. Clemons.
Weekly Update 8/25/14- 8/29
We started this week reviewing the design process and identifying a good problem statement. As a class, we came up with two problem statements for the project. We were then asked to vote on the best problem statement. The winning problem statement will be edited during the week of 9/2/14 and submitted for review by Alli Westover. Once we had written a good problem statement, we started identifying potential problems in our experiment and overall project. As a class we brainstormed possible solutions to these problems and documented our work in our Engineering notebooks. We will continue this work in our teams next week and we will make final decisions using the design matrix. We will also start doing Biology experiments to help in the design of our space flight experiment. The hardware and software teams worked on Thursday after school to learn about their role for the project and to create our conceptual block diagram for Texas A&M.
Weekly Update 8/19/14- 8/22/14
This was the first week of school and the students and teachers jumped right into the project. We started with a meeting to get team leaders in place before the school year started. We reviewed our project and looked at deadlines that needed to be met throughout the school year. Students were given some initial research questions to help them prepare for brainstorming sessions during the week of 8/25 - 8/29. Students were introduced to Engineering notebooks and how to use them for our project. Each student set up their Engineering notebook and practiced writing an entry by creating directions to build a Duplo object. The week ended with a better understanding of the Engineering notebook and how to use it for this project.
This week during the CASIS project, the Bio-Testing group was testing how much food worms need over the span of 10 days. Four petri dishes used as environments for now. Two were with soil and 3 worms, and 2 were with 3 worms, soil, and compost. The Bio-Compost group tested which bedding would be best for the survival of the worms, and what the worms will do the most work with. Peat Moss, leaves, etc., were worked with. The Biology Design group was testing how to measure gas levels & doing procedures on how the worms will react. Meanwhile, the Hardware group was busy planning designs for the nest box and finding parts. They were also taking notes on the pre-existing box, and spent some time communicating with Biology groups. Over the week, the Art group was sketching the ideas that they had previously brainstormed. They were also consulting with Ms Rettberg, the art teacher at Bell, for her opinions on the brainstormed Mission Patches. In the Mechanical group, a prototype was being worked on. Details are yet to be released. In Engineering Structure, they spent a lot of time brainstorming, and came up with a few ideas for designs of the box in Sketchup. The Software group set up their computers for this week, as well as started the coding, and communicated with the hardware group. And in Communications, they set up the website for the project, took pictures of the groups in progress, and talked with mentor Mrs. Clemons.
Weekly Update 8/25/14- 8/29
We started this week reviewing the design process and identifying a good problem statement. As a class, we came up with two problem statements for the project. We were then asked to vote on the best problem statement. The winning problem statement will be edited during the week of 9/2/14 and submitted for review by Alli Westover. Once we had written a good problem statement, we started identifying potential problems in our experiment and overall project. As a class we brainstormed possible solutions to these problems and documented our work in our Engineering notebooks. We will continue this work in our teams next week and we will make final decisions using the design matrix. We will also start doing Biology experiments to help in the design of our space flight experiment. The hardware and software teams worked on Thursday after school to learn about their role for the project and to create our conceptual block diagram for Texas A&M.
Weekly Update 8/19/14- 8/22/14
This was the first week of school and the students and teachers jumped right into the project. We started with a meeting to get team leaders in place before the school year started. We reviewed our project and looked at deadlines that needed to be met throughout the school year. Students were given some initial research questions to help them prepare for brainstorming sessions during the week of 8/25 - 8/29. Students were introduced to Engineering notebooks and how to use them for our project. Each student set up their Engineering notebook and practiced writing an entry by creating directions to build a Duplo object. The week ended with a better understanding of the Engineering notebook and how to use it for this project.