The Academy this year has also extended to grade 11 making it possible for me to further my knowledge in the field of Mechatronics. Last year the idea of mechatronics to me was a huge opportunity, not only for my future career choice but also just to expand my knowledge on things like welding and mechanics. This year business is also a huge focus which for me is really exciting. Working on different mechanical projects and also learning what it takes to organize all of the background pieces is something that I feel will improve my learning. For our first formal EDC we formed a company and created a prototype of a robotic arm that could pick up a cup Our company has been running smoothly and im really enjoying the combination of ELA, Business and Mechatronics.
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Today we started to explore our JunkBot Challenge! The basis of the challenge is to make a robot from recycled material that can participate in a capture the flag like competition as well as fight other robots to the death. My group went with a fairly simplistic design with room to expand and redesign along the way. Here is what we came up with so far! I was given the opportunity to go and teach the teachers today. This was a unique experience and one that made we quite nervous. It seemed so easy being able to stand up and talk about what I am so passionate about but it became very apparent just how difficult it was going to be. I was able to stand up and explain the idea of passion projects and some of the opportunities that the Academy has presented to me. After I presented I was able to present some robots, sphereos, and ardunio's. This experience was very humbling and I am so excited to do more in the future, We have discussed bringing our ideas to Edmonton next year and I feel as thought that is an amazing teaching moment. I am very excited to see the progression of the Academy and grow with it!
Foundations for Innovation
Hello Everyone! My name is Liam Neufeld and I am also currently enrolled in the Mechatronics academy at WH Croxford. This year I have really had an opportunity to expand my horizons and be involved in something that I am really passionate about but that is not what we are going to be talking about today. Today I would like to introduce a wider idea and leadership opportunity that I believe will spark the new generation of innovation. While fostering the idea of equality and cementing the Mechatronics academy not only as a place to create robots and test code but a place to create bonds and share in the wealth of technology. At croxford and especially in the academy we have amazing opportunities to work with many different aspects of STEM. This capability to create and ideate is fantastic but is it being wasted? This is the introduction to my speech speaking about the importance of expanding the idea of passion projects and creating an environment where we are all able to learn in unique ways! You can listen to the full speech in the Links and articles section of my website. You will also hear from my colleagues about their experiences, they can be found on the Academy page! This project taught us the importance of a community network and how we can impact the minds of others in a positive way. This project has really impacted my learning and turned into something that we can expand on in the future and build into something we can all be proud of. S.M.A.R.T.
Academy Goal: Welding Specific: In the Academy of Mechatronics we are exploring a multitude of different fields this means that we will be moving through some aspects of fabrication including welding. Welding is something that I have wanted to try for a very long time and now I have the opportunity to use the equipment for projects and assignments. While doing the fabrication unit I hope to learn the basic techniques and safety procedures associated with welding. I would like to learn how to weld so that in the future I can continue to pursue this and maybe make it a hobby. Welding has not been formally introduced yet, but in the next couple of months as we get further in the program welding will certainly become more relevant. Measureable: I can measure my progress using grades from assignments and projects and feedback from my teacher. These will be used as a means of tracking progression and overall accomplishment. The welding module has not yet been talked about as it is early in the semester but I feel as though I can achieve excellence in welding within a 1-2 week period. Attainable: I feel as though this goal is attainable given that we will be covering welding in a module and most likely be given a final assignment that will involve welding. This goal will challenge me and is not too easy or completely out of reach. I think that his goal is perfectly within my reach, but still is out of my comfort zone. Relevant: Welding has always been something that I have been interested in. This year is a perfect opportunity to pursue this interest in a healthy environment. This goal is consistent with what I can do and have shown to be able to do. This goal complies with my long term and short term goals, as it is a possible hobby/ passion project. Timely: My time limit for this goal is this semester. I may pursue this as a passion project down the line, but I feel as though I can learn the basics and safety procedures within the confines of this semester. Basics and training will be a short term goal. Although if welding is something I would like to pursue further I feel as though it could become a long term goal. Personal Goal Gym Progression Specific: Over the last year I have been going to the gym after and before school when I can. I have seen some real progression and improvements in appearance. These results have gotten me to think about what i could do better going into this year. I would like to challenge myself to do better and set an ambitious goal for this year. I would like to go to the gym at least 2-3 times a week, as well as go up in weight at least twice in all of my work outs. This goal is ambitious and out of my comfort zone as I am generally slow when it comes to progression. Although I feel as though if I really tried hard I could accomplish this goal. Measureable: I can keep track of my current workouts and weight that I am using and check in every month (Redoing Measurements) and compare. These check ins will allow me to reflect on what i am doing well and what i could be spending more time on. I have time during school and after school where i could be going to the gym and working on this goal. Attainable: I feel as though this goal is ambitious but yet still attainable. Last year i made really good progress just going casually trying different things etc. This year if I stick to a schedule and workout plan that fits me and compliments what i’m trying to accomplish I can complete this goal. Relevant: This goal will help with my overall health and wellbeing. I feel as though this goal is relevant to me and will help with not only my physical health but also my self confidence. This goal compliments my overall plan for my life and how i want to maintain my own personal health. Timely: My timeline is going to be this school year. This does not mean I will stop working out etc that’s just when my final check in will be. I plan on doing check ins every month and instill a sense of urgency which will push me to do better. I feel as though this goal is a stepping stone to a longer term goal, however i would like to trial this method before I integrate it fully into my schedule Today W.H. Croxford welcomed Paul Davis as a guest speaker. Paul has 27+ years of IT experience and has presented to almost 400,000 students. Paul taught us the importance of our actions on the internet and how it can not only be tracked by law enforcement but also third parties. Paul also explained the consequences of misusing the internet and how nothing is ever deleted. We all learned how pictures are made and how some apps and businesses take advantage of the word delete to misguide customers. The presentation was very interesting and definitely has gotten me to think critically about how I can protect myself on the internet and what steps I can take to improve my digital footprint. Paul really emphasized that nothing on the internet is ever truly "deleted" and that everything that you do can be tracked and traced back to you. We also learned how to protect against theft and what steps to take in order to further secure our online accounts. This will bring you to Pau'ls site where you can watch his TED talks or learn more about how you can protect yourself online.
Last week the Academies of W.H Croxford all met for the first time this year! We all participated in team building exercises and learned how to properly build an online portfolio. We had several guests explain key aspects of a portfolio such as: Head-shots, Bios, and How to present ourselves in a positive light to future employers and associates, using an online portfolio. One of our guest speakers was Veronica Funk. Veronica is a public figure and artist that has been featured in galleries and magazines all over Canada. She taught us about the importance of a positive presence online and what people look for while they research you. I feel as though this is an important skill for developing a presence on the internet that will positively impact future endeavors. We also were given the opportunity to take professional head-shots and create a bio for our website. Overall the trip was fun and I feel as though it was important, but it did drag on towards the end. If i were to do something differently i would split the retreat into half day increments allowing us to absorb the different information more effectively.
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AuthorLiam Neufeld currently enrolled in The Mechatronics Academy at W.H. Croxford. Enjoys the electronic side of the Academy hopes to pursue a career in the field. Archives
September 2018
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