Solve a World Problem
Engineering design process
Our group started brainstorming world problems to solve. We chose wildfires as they are a local issue and they cause lots of pollution. Wildfires hit home for us so we decided to start thinking of solutions to them. We originally thought of a nuclear winter and carpet bombing a forest, but these showed to be implausible. We settled on a prevention of wildfires.
Wildfires, although destructive, can have some positive effects. We researched wildfires, and I was tasked with the ecosystem impacts of wildfires. I researched, and learnt, that wildfires actually leave minerals and fertilizer for new plants to regrow and allow for the new development of ecosystems. I also learnt that fires, if prevented, can cause buildup of undergrowth for years, and result in a devastating fire that is much more destructive than a fire that would have naturally occurred from lightning or that had not been prevented.
We then migrated to the idea that preventing fires from jumping to certain parts of the forest, and keeping the fire in check, only allowing certain parts to burn, was beneficial for the forests ecosystem, and the regeneration of plants. We decided that stopping a fire once it had started would use too many redourcees such as water, so we decided to develop a system that would prevent fires by wetting lines of forest in fire risk areas, and having the lines act as fire breaks. We decided to model out sprinkler system with a irrigation drip line, as to have an easy time getting water out and we had a milk jug that was pressureized. The pressurized milk jub would act as a water tank on the top of the hill. This design worked well, and we were happy with the results that it gave us.
Ask - We first asked what we needed to do, and what we had to make. We started by thinking of ways to design a system for a sprinkler.
Research - We started researching college articles and scientific articles about wildfire science.
Imagine - We imagined possible solutions by thinking of ways to prevent wildfires.
Plan - We made a plan by making an obtainable solution. Our solution was a sprinkler system pressurized by a bike pump.
Create - We created a prototype and it worked. We used a milk jug and a bike pump.
Test - We tested out prototype by adding some water to the milkjug. Once filled with water, the milk jug was pressurized. Once pressurized, we were able to send water out of the irrigation.
Improve - We improved our design as we switched from PVC pipe to irrigation lining which was easier to pressurize and resulted in a better result.
Reflection
Overall, I think I did pretty well on this project. I collaborated when I compared and contrasted the ideas of my teamates with my own to get the best possible result. I communicated when I talked with my teammates about the state of our project and ways that we oculd make it better. I want to be a critical thinker on my next project and push myself in these projects more. I want to be a better role model and charater for others to follow. In conclusion, I really enjoyed this project and the people who were in my group.