tPol
Hovercraft 2.0
Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome and educational barrier you have faced.
In my 8th grade physics class, one of our projects was to build a hovercraft. It was a circle platform with a 5 foot diameter, and a leaf blower as the power source for the skirt. The only problem with the project was that I wasn’t able to ride it, it wasn’t strong enough to hold my weight. Since then I’ve been wanting to rebuild it and have it capable to carry me. So in my 11th grade biology honors class, we were allowed to conduct our own project and the only rules were it had to do with a STEM subject. I used this opportunity to build my upgraded hovercraft and get a grade on it. I paired with a friend who was also my partner for the 8th grade hovercraft, and we got to work. Our new design was two 2.5ft diameter hovercrafts with a leaf blower each, making the air pressure underneath much more condensed making it much more stable. And using an old skateboard deck, we used it to attach the two hovercrafts together. For 3 years I have been wanting to rebuild a hovercraft with my new design, but could never find the time. I’m very happy I joined the honors class and used it as my ‘excuse’ to create my dream.
In my 8th grade physics class, one of our projects was to build a hovercraft. It was a circle platform with a 5 foot diameter, and a leaf blower as the power source for the skirt. The only problem with the project was that I wasn’t able to ride it, it wasn’t strong enough to hold my weight. Since then I’ve been wanting to rebuild it and have it capable to carry me. So in my 11th grade biology honors class, we were allowed to conduct our own project and the only rules were it had to do with a STEM subject. I used this opportunity to build my upgraded hovercraft and get a grade on it. I paired with a friend who was also my partner for the 8th grade hovercraft, and we got to work. Our new design was two 2.5ft diameter hovercrafts with a leaf blower each, making the air pressure underneath much more condensed making it much more stable. And using an old skateboard deck, we used it to attach the two hovercrafts together. For 3 years I have been wanting to rebuild a hovercraft with my new design, but could never find the time. I’m very happy I joined the honors class and used it as my ‘excuse’ to create my dream.
Good old physics
Describe your favorite subject and explain how it has influenced you.
Growing up math or physics never really appealed to me, I would do well because I needed the grade, but I never enjoyed it. Then in 8th grade, I had a teacher who changed that mindset. Mr. T, not the wrestler, but my math/physics teacher. His teaching style and passion he had for his subjects is what showed me to love it as well. He taught me not only the boring equations and rules of physics, but the applications of it. Then in my 11th grade internship, I was working at an Independent BMW Mechanic Shop, my main job was engine rebuilds. I would have to take the entire engines out of cars, and they weren’t light enough for a one man job. So instead of asking for help every time I couldn’t lift something I made a series of pulleys and levers on my lift to get the engines out of cars without breaking a sweat.
Growing up math or physics never really appealed to me, I would do well because I needed the grade, but I never enjoyed it. Then in 8th grade, I had a teacher who changed that mindset. Mr. T, not the wrestler, but my math/physics teacher. His teaching style and passion he had for his subjects is what showed me to love it as well. He taught me not only the boring equations and rules of physics, but the applications of it. Then in my 11th grade internship, I was working at an Independent BMW Mechanic Shop, my main job was engine rebuilds. I would have to take the entire engines out of cars, and they weren’t light enough for a one man job. So instead of asking for help every time I couldn’t lift something I made a series of pulleys and levers on my lift to get the engines out of cars without breaking a sweat.