Connor

About Me

Hi! My name is Connor and I am a freshman at Darien High School. I have been in Idea since 5th grade. My favorite subject is history. I am part of the Boy Scouts and the History Kids of Darien, and have joined Theatre 308 and the History Club at Darien High School. I have also recently started training in ninja warrior at Stamford Ninja Academy, which will be the basis of my project.

My Project

I want to create different types of ninja warrior holds, each with different types of materials that they are made of. Each hold will have 3 types of materials that they are made of (probably wood, medal, and plastic). I will then test which types of materials are best for each hold.

My Mentor

My Mentor is Eric Totten, The Monstro Ninja. He has been on American Ninja Warrior 1 time and creates ninja holds for a living. This will help because he understands what it is like to create holds for the first time.

Final Project Presentation Video

Final Idea Video.mp4

Final Reflection

This year has been amazing, and working on this project has been a highlight. I have learned a lot about time management and separating large projects into smaller mini goals. I also learned to take feedback as constructive instead of as an attack on my project, and I have learned how to present and keep an audience's attention with interactive moments instead of just keeping it as a monologue. This year has been full of little lessons that have allowed me to progress as a professional but also as a person.

To any incoming ninth graders I would tell you that this shouldn't be the class you stress out about. Instead in this class you should choose something you are interested in, and something that represents you as a person. If I were to get a do over this year, I would never change my topic because it represents me, not what society might expect, but that is who I am. Finally I would tell the incoming ninth graders to be okay with little failures. I had to remove a lot of things from my presentation, and nearly a third from my project. When you know it is impossible for you to do something at that time, then move on and focus on what you need to do next. Most of all make sure you enjoy the year, you only get one Achievers' Project.

Connor Blenke - WIPP #3

Work In Progress Presentation #3

My third work mini goal was to finish finding the materials and start building the holds. During this I gained access to a 3-D printer using one of the ones at the school thanks to Mr. Reynolds. I also set a date to meet with my cousin and uncle and build the wood holds out of the materials I have, and the tools that he has. I have made the designs for all of the holds so they are ready to build. Unfortunately as I do not have the tools I will not be able to create any metal holds

Mini-Goal #4

For my next and final mini goal, I will be finishing making the holds, and testing all of the holds. This will involve 3-D printing some and cutting and drilling into others. Testing will consist of making a rubric and trying all of the holds, then having some professionals also try them.

Connor Blenke - WIPP #2

Work In Progress Presentation #2

My second mini goal was to find all of the materials needed to make the ninja holds. Unfortunately, Though I was able to find many of the materials I could not find all of the actual tools to put the materials together and create the holds.

Mini Goal #3

For my next mini goal I will continue to find the tools I need to create the ninja holds. At the time of writing this I need to gain access to a 3-d printer, a welder, and a drill.

Connor Blenke - WIPP #1

Work in Progress Presentation #1

My first mini goal was to research the ways that ninja holds are currently made both professionally and for at home obstacles. I have found that most of the holds that I will be recreating are usually plastic and almost any small holds are plastic. So the cannonball, nunchuck, and cones are almost always plastic. Most look bought rather than made. The cliffhanger can be made of wood or plastic quite easily as I have found. Almost none of the obstacles I will be working with are usually made of metal.

Mini Goal #2

My next mini goal is to find out where I can find or get the materials to build the ninja holds. I need to find an available 3-d printer, some basic woodworking tools, and some basic metal working tools.

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