SEMESTER 2, WEEK 9

Designing and refining our homemade lung mold to begin building a functional breathing model.

Description:

On Monday, our group focused on creating and improving the homemade silicone lung mold that would serve as the foundation of our breathing model. Samantha, Alesha, and I evaluated the structure of the mold after testing its shape and durability on a kitchen counter workspace. We discussed how realistic the lung form needed to be in order to properly simulate inhalation and exhalation. As a team, we examined imperfections in the plaster casing and silicone placement, identifying areas that could affect airflow or movement later in development. Rather than rushing forward, we collaborated to ensure the physical model would support future mechanical components. This step helped us align our understanding of how the biological structure connects to the engineering design.

PLTW STEP:

Define Problem because we analyzed the physical limitations of our initial lung mold and clarified what requirements were necessary for a working breathing simulation.

Outcome:

Planning the mechanical breathing system and coding approach as a collaborative team.

Description:

On Tuesday, our group shifted focus from the physical model to the technological component responsible for simulating breathing motion. Samantha researched movement mechanisms while Alesha and I examined how coding could control timed inhaling and exhaling actions. We reviewed example servo-motor logic and discussed how programmed intervals could mimic natural breathing patterns. Together, we mapped out how software instructions would translate into physical movement within the lung model. The team worked collaboratively to decide on timing intervals, motion range, and how consistent cycles would improve realism. This planning stage allowed everyone to contribute ideas while ensuring the design remained achievable with our available materials.

PLTW STEP:

Brainstorm Solutions because we explored multiple technical approaches and collectively selected a coding-based system to control breathing motion.

Outcome:

Developing and testing code to simulate inhalation and exhalation cycles.

Description:

On Wednesday, we worked on creating and reviewing the program designed to make the lung model breathe automatically. Using a timed loop structure, our team analyzed code that controlled repeated motion cycles meant to represent inhaling and exhaling. Samantha helped verify timing accuracy, while Alesha and I checked readability and functionality to ensure the instructions were clear and repeatable. We discussed how small timing adjustments could change the realism of the breathing effect and experimented with interval values to better match natural respiration patterns. This collaborative coding session emphasized problem solving and shared responsibility as we refined the logic together.

PLTW STEP:

Create Prototype because we translated our planned solution into a functioning coded system capable of controlling movement behavior.

Outcome:

Integrating the lung mold and breathing system while evaluating performance as a team.

Description:

On Thursday, our group combined the physical lung mold with the programmed breathing concept to evaluate overall performance. Samantha observed structural stability while Alesha monitored timing consistency and I focused on how well the movement aligned with the mold’s design. Together, we analyzed whether airflow simulation and motion appeared realistic and discussed adjustments needed for smoother operation. We reflected on how earlier design decisions influenced current performance and identified improvements for both the mold and coding setup. This evaluation process highlighted strong teamwork, as each member contributed observations that helped refine the final system.

PLTW STEP:

Test and Evaluate because we assessed how effectively our integrated prototype performed and identified areas requiring improvement.

Outcome: