Student 37

This LEGO NASA Space Shuttle Discovery + Hubble Space Telescope model I acquired and assembled in the summer of 2021. It was released just a few months prior to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope launch by Space Shuttle Discovery and the 40th anniversary of the Space Shuttle program. The model contains intricate details and technical parts very similar to technologies used on the shuttle and the telescope.

This object demonstrates that material tools can be used to present knowledge memorably, therefore making it easy to acquire. It does this by focusing on the theme of technology, glorifying the technological capabilities of the Space Shuttle, especially Discovery, in launching the very famous Hubble Space Telescope. The plaques that come with this set give further information on how the specifications for both spacecraft were similar, further enhancing their correlation and making it easy for viewers to acquire knowledge. This model also possesses a configuration that makes it obviously clear the role that the space shuttle played in launching the Hubble Space Telescope. Like many commemorative models, this model of the space shuttle focuses on a specific aspect or famous event published on a significant date to make it easier for others to remember. Instead of focusing more on the technology, these models focus more on a specific event that happened and allows viewers of the model to engage in their own epistemic journey to discern new knowledge.

Although this model focuses on commemorating a specific event, other models and material objects present revolutionary technologies or pieces of knowledge directly compared to commemorative models. For example, models demonstrating revolutionary technologies such as the International Space Station present direct knowledge about what made the objects so significant, providing another perspective on this new knowledge.

Introduction to Aerospace Engineering is a textbook written by Stephen Corda that discusses the basic principles of aerospace design with a focus on flight testing. I acquired this book in 2019 when I began my journey in the study of aerospace engineering. This was the first piece of literature that constructed my foundation of knowledge regarding this discipline, and I found the information helpful in other courses, workshops, and internships I pursued.

This object demonstrates that material tools can help with the acquisition of knowledge if it is initially presented in one perspective only. It does this by focusing on the theme of technology, specifically aerospace technology and how it is used for flight tests. For example, when discussing propulsion systems, the book only informs of different tests that focus on one aspect of the system at a time, such as a test of how fuel flow affects thrust, tests the fuel injector efficiency in contributing to the measure of the engine as a whole, the thrust. Most of this book is structured similarly to the propulsion section; each chapter begins with an explanation of the aerospace concept and the rest of it explains how certain tests can be used to apply the knowledge learned earlier. The structure of this book explains aerospace engineering in a pragmatic manner, showing how concepts can be applied in tests rather than teaching the basics, which is a common bias in aerospace textbooks.

Although this textbook presents new knowledge with a perspective towards its pragmatic applications, other textbooks may focus on theoretical applications of knowledge, which would give a broader perspective of the subject. Every single source of novel knowledge will use a certain perspective to structure the way that new knowledge is presented, making it easier for others to remember.

This drone is representative of a project I engaged in over a period of 6 months in 2018 to first step into the field of fixed-rotorcraft engineering design. As a part of this project, I hoped to create a custom flight controller that, using various inputs from different positioning systems, could fly the drone from one point to another in real time. However, after multiple attempts, I could not manage to fly this drone.

This object demonstrates that material tools can assist in the acquisition of knowledge by helping people learn knowledge through its application. This drone also demonstrates the optional theme of technology, however, this object focuses more on the applications of technology used by fixed rotorcraft to fly. More specifically, this drone focused on the coordination between the propulsion system and the self-made flight controller, to use the two in conjunction to help control the aircraft using the help of a microcontroller and other electronic components. However, as mentioned previously, the drone failed to fly due to the flight controller malfunctioning. In trying to fix this error, I researched in detail about various ways to solve this problem. In doing this, I learned more about the fundamental principles of drone flight than if I were reading this information in a textbook, showing that failure can be as potent a tool to acquire knowledge as success is.

While this drone focuses on failure as a key in the acquisition of knowledge, other tools may rely on failure in application of knowledge to a lesser or greater degree than others. Some tools are more specialized, focusing on a certain area of technology, and for that reason the tool may focus on failure only in that specific area, which increases the effectiveness of the acquisition of knowledge.