This project began with a simple but open-ended prompt of creating a moving picture using our past knowledge of motors from the drawing bots. First we asked what came to mind when thinking about a moving picture [ask]. From here we began to brainstorm and generate ideas [imagine]. I think the spitballing, and problem solving that came with this project was my favorite part. A spinning film strip was the consensus, in part because we had already come across some old-timey photos in a magazine that fit well within the theme. Our largest challenge was building a stable and level structure that could evenly balance the “film reels” while still spinning slowly enough to see the photos. We settled on connecting the motor to a cork, using a lot of duck tape and hoping for the best [build]. We tested it out and found the structure, though it spun, was fairly wobbly [evaluate]. We discussed our opinions on the current state of the structure and decided to begin another round of adjustments [share]. Beginning the ask, imagine, build, evaluate, share process again we found ourselves rushed for times and making a few fatal last minute adjustments which lead to pictures unable to move. Overall I’m proud of our project and our attempt at really pushing ourselves, I just wish it would spin. However, I was very interested by the diversity of thinking each member of my group brought to the table and the ways in which our ideas could support and grow off of each other.

This project felt very directly related to the drawing bot challenge we had done the class before. However, this project took our learning of the motors to the next level and challenged us to apply that knowledge in a new and difficult way. In a classroom I could imagine adapting this project into three parts. First students would be asked to build an object that could move the fastest and there would be a race. Next students would be asked to try and build the most beautiful moving picture and there would be an anonymous class vote ranking the creations in terms of aesthetics. Lastly students would have free rein over their creations and there would be a talent show at the end where students would vote on their favorite objects, and points would be compiled from all three projects to determine a winner.