My Reflection

Using cardboard, hot glue, and paint, I created a black widow spider because I think spiders are cool and that it would be interesting to try and make one by using cardboard. One reason why making this cardboard spider was a good idea is because you're taking something someone else would just call trash and throw out and turning it into something that could be used as decoration or something new. Another reason this is a good idea because there's a lot of wasted resources sitting around and by making this spider you're utilizing something people view as trash.

• During this process, I learned how to draw parts of a spider. I learned this by looking up a reference photo and tried to copy the shapes on the cardboard to cut out. Another thing I learned during this process was that you should come up with measurements before you start a project. Knowing measurements is helpful because it can make sure that all parts of your project equally distributed weight wise so it's not weak. Knowing how to draw different types of things can be useful because next time I can make another type of a spider.

• The 7 standards of the class are Empowered Learner, Digital Citizen, Knowledge Constructor, Innovative Designer, Computational Thinker, Creative Communicator, and Global Collaborator. My project ties to Innovative Designer because I looked on google for a reference photo so I had a plan of what to build before I got started. Another reason my project ties to the classroom standard Innovative Designer is because when we weren't sure if the legs were gonna hold up the spider's body we tested it and altered it so it'd work better.

• A challenge I overcame on this project was not being good at drawing. This was a major issue because in this project I was in charge of making the parts while Ash put them together. I conquered this problem by looking up reference photos and trying to mirror them. Another way I solved this problem was to get Ash to draw the part for reference and mirroring what they did.

• Given a chance to do this again, I would change the spider's legs. The reason why I would change it is because I don't think it looks that great and they barely hold up the spider's legs. The spider's legs looking/being weak is a problem because we made it with the intent of it sitting on a shelf or table and if the spider's legs are weak they will probably break off and not be able to support the spider's body weight.

• Hastings High School Career and Technical Education Program offers Agriculture, Business Management, Computer Programming, Construction Trades, Culinary Arts, Digital Multimedia, Engineering Design, Finance, Insurance, and Marketing.  My project connects to the Engineering Design CTE program at Hastings High School.  My project connects to the Engineering Design CTE program at Hastings High School . My project connects to the Engineering Design CTE program because I figured out the shapes and sizes of the cardboard to cut in order to withhold a cardboard spider's weight.

• My project connects to career Design Engineer because I designed and made something new out of just cardboard boxes. Using the website Indeed, it says that a Design Engineer is someone who develops new products and production systems. The National average salary for a Design Engineer is about $90,000. So, in conclusion my project connects to the career Design Engineer because I designed and created something new.