8P7-Keva Blocks

Daily log 

Video

Reflection 

• Using Keva blocks, an iPad, and a computer, a tower was created because the classmate and the user wanted to try making something unique for a project. The blocks served as the core building material, while the technology allowed for collaboration on the design and to document progress in real-time. For example, a specific app on the iPad was used to draft blueprints and track structural integrity tests. Ultimately, the combined efforts resulted in a stable, well-documented tower that showcased both engineering skills and the ability to use digital tools effectively. 

• The process demonstrates that building the tower requires extreme specificity to ensure stability. Even the slightest misalignment of a single block could compromise the entire structure, which underscores the importance of precision. Stacking the blocks in a staggered, cross-hatch pattern distributes the weight more evenly than simply placing them directly on top of each other. This attention to detail is essential for any construction project and will help with future engineering challenges. 

• The class follows seven core standards: Empowered Learner, Digital Citizen, Knowledge Constructor, Innovative Designer, Computational Thinker, Creative Communicator, and Global Collaborator. The specific tower project aligns with the Innovative Designer standard because the project was created from scratch. Instead of following a pre-made template or instructions, available materials—Keva blocks, an iPad, and a computer—were used to solve a design problem in a new way. This process of self-directed creation and iteration showcases the innovative spirit the standard aims to foster. 

• A significant challenge faced during the project was the initial inability to construct a skyscraper as originally planned. The initial designs proved too unstable or demanding on the available materials, forcing a complete reconsideration of the scope and size of the build. This obstacle was ultimately overcome by adapting the project goal and changing the design to a more structurally sound, albeit shorter, tower. This flexible approach to problem-solving not only saved the project from failure but also taught a valuable lesson about the importance of adapting plans when faced with real-world limitations.  

• Given the chance to complete this project again, the approach would be fundamentally different, starting with a change in the building goal itself. The initial attempt to build a skyscraper was overly ambitious and resulted in a significant amount of wasted time during the planning and early construction phases. We spent too many valuable minutes trying to force a design that was clearly failing, rather than adapting quickly. Next time, the focus would be on rapid prototyping and choosing a realistic design from the outset to manage time more efficiently and effectively. 

• The Career and Technical Education (CTE) program at Hastings High School offers a wide variety of pathways, including Agriculture, Business Management, and Engineering Design. My tower project specifically connects to the Engineering Design CTE program because it mirrors real-world design challenges. The process of planning the structure, selecting materials, and adapting to structural limitations directly reflects the curriculum covered in an engineering class. This hands-on experience has demonstrated the practical application of the skills taught within that particular CTE track at Hastings High School. 

• My Keva block project directly relates to a potential career as a manufacturing engineer because professionals in that field design and improve physical systems. A manufacturing engineer would apply similar critical thinking skills to design efficient production lines, rather than just a single tower. For example, they might observe where time is wasted in an assembly process and implement a new, faster method, much like we adapted our building strategy. Ultimately, both the class project and the professional career rely heavily on problem-solving and constant improvement of a physical product or system.  

I used google Gemini to help me make theses paragraphs.