A Tale of Two Projects
Econ Exam:
It was easy. I got a 92% and was disappointed that my grade was so low.
Project One: Pool Heater.
This project uses a heat lamp to warm a series of copper coils with water running through them. The water is pumped from a 12 gallon tank, through the coils, and back into the tank. Hopefully the reservoir will start to heat up. Today my partner Bill and I got done with the fabrication, now we can start testing it.
Project Two: Mini-Rollercoaster.
This project was far more trouble. It’s a group of three: myself, a quiet Indian named Mayank, and a joyless bitch named Jessica. At first we all agreed to make a transformer robot, but Jessica had second thoughts and complained to the professor that we were leaving her out of the decision process. So the project became a roller-coaster.
So I ended up making the entire track, Mayank made the cars and the 3D assembly, and Jessica missed all the meetings (later apologizing after each one that she was sleeping or read the wrong location/time)
We got the 3D model of the roller coaster done within specifications and ahead of schedule. Mayank and I exchanged high-fives. Jessica (who just showed up) asks, “Why are you guys getting excited about school? This is boring.” I rarely get to meet a person that smiles less or takes less enjoyment in life or work.
When we first started engineering we were told this: “People kill people. Engineers kill people by the busload.” That is to say; if something you design has a fatal flaw, the people who use it can die. That’s why we do peer-evaluation in every group. If you are not up to snuff, your teammates are obliged to ensure your failure.
Now for a well deserved weekend.
It was easy. I got a 92% and was disappointed that my grade was so low.
Project One: Pool Heater.
This project uses a heat lamp to warm a series of copper coils with water running through them. The water is pumped from a 12 gallon tank, through the coils, and back into the tank. Hopefully the reservoir will start to heat up. Today my partner Bill and I got done with the fabrication, now we can start testing it.
Project Two: Mini-Rollercoaster.
This project was far more trouble. It’s a group of three: myself, a quiet Indian named Mayank, and a joyless bitch named Jessica. At first we all agreed to make a transformer robot, but Jessica had second thoughts and complained to the professor that we were leaving her out of the decision process. So the project became a roller-coaster.
So I ended up making the entire track, Mayank made the cars and the 3D assembly, and Jessica missed all the meetings (later apologizing after each one that she was sleeping or read the wrong location/time)
We got the 3D model of the roller coaster done within specifications and ahead of schedule. Mayank and I exchanged high-fives. Jessica (who just showed up) asks, “Why are you guys getting excited about school? This is boring.” I rarely get to meet a person that smiles less or takes less enjoyment in life or work.
When we first started engineering we were told this: “People kill people. Engineers kill people by the busload.” That is to say; if something you design has a fatal flaw, the people who use it can die. That’s why we do peer-evaluation in every group. If you are not up to snuff, your teammates are obliged to ensure your failure.
Now for a well deserved weekend.