The first day back at school after three weeks of vacation. It sucks. I could barely get out of bed today. Anyways, it turns out there's another option for creating our websites. It's Google Sites. I'm not gonna use it, but it seems pretty easy. Here is a picture of what I basically did over break:
Today we created a Google Site. It was really easy to organize, but I prefer using HTML. It has much more freedom than Google Sites in my opinion.
Today is our first Wednesday Challenge for 3 weeks. It was to cut a square 1 foot wide and 1 foot long. I was paired up with Elisabeth. It was fun to mess around until we got the box-cutters. Overall, it was very enjoyable.
Square Wednesday ChallengeIt was chaotic during class on both of these days, so we were not able to really summarize everything, so we are not supposed to have an entry for either of these dates.
Since I am pretty accustomed to HTML, I decided to improve my knowledge by using CSS. Kurk helped me by introducing me to BootStrap, a program that allows you to copy some JavaScript to start it.
Today we got a new Wednesday Challenge. This one was fun because it had some comedy to it, and we got to pick our own teams. Here it is:
Golf Ball Wednesday ChallengeHere's a picture of our device:
Today we created a home page for our websites. This was a very tedious and confusing process, but I know it's worth it. There are so many steps to it, but it's okay-ish.
Today the FLL Robotics group is presenting to us. It's really interesting to see how quickly these guys can come up with such flawless, full on awesome ideas. I don't know how they win each year.
Even though I got a 7.5 overall on my website, it won't hurt my grade because there was an error with FileZilla. I am so thrilled to know that this won't hurt my grade. So, now I have time to research more of CSS.
Today we have a week-long challenge. It is to build a car with 4 wheels (obviously), and must go down a ramp without any borders. It's an individual project, but we can help each other improve.
Today we were presented a new Wednesday Challenge. It was to present an "object" to represent CVHS at the competition. Here is the PDF: 589 Wednesday Challenge
We continued to work on the Challenge. Our idea was to create a "fidget" device. This means that it's something you play around with in your hands. It's hard to explain how the device works, so just try to Google it.
Today the 589 Robotics group presented their progress to us. They are surprisingly on time with all of their stages. It's difficult to update right now, because we have been working on a car, a Wednesday Challenge, and I am trying to learn more about CSS.
I continued my work on updating my website, as well as constructing my car. I have an idea of making it as aerodynamic as possible, with about 6-8 wheels, this allows the car to go quite fast down the ramp, and cut through the air.
Today Edgar and I furthered our work on the car. We are sticking with the thin, aerodynamic design. Although the car is more susceptible to turning, the layers of wheels will solve that problem.
A new Wednesday Challenge was presented to us today. It was to improve Connor's design of the representation of 589 at FLL. If you want to see more details, here it is: 589v2 Wednesday Challenge
Today was a day to catch up on the Wednesday Challenge forms, as well as updating our websites. It has been a quick, fast-paced week in Engineering, but luckily, I was able to keep up.
Today the FLL group presented to us again. THE CAD IS FINISHED. IT'S A MIRACLE!!!! Anyways, I also improved my car, which is due by Tuesday. I enjoy these projects that we do in-class becuase we don't have to stress out about the homework of it. Now, we can just work on it in-class.
I apologize for the lack of updates, but it was the same thing the whole week. Just working on my car, day after day. I finally finished on Friday, but I had to let the glue dry, so I will come back to you with updates on the car next week.
Today we recieved our website grades, and I finally had a free day to catch up on my website. Along with it, I finished the (hopefully) last version of the 589 website challenge PDF's. Here it is: 589v3 Wednesday Challenge
Today we were given a new Wednesday Challenge. It was similar to the marble one, where one side of the class went against the other. This time, we were supposed to toss a pipe 3 times in arow, each time in a different way. Here is the template:
Pipe Wednesday Challenge
Here is a picture:
Today was another relax day to update/catch up on all the Wednesday Challenges, PDF's, pictures, websites, and EVERYTHING. I have been staying on top of updating on FileZilla, so I am happy that I have been able to keep up.
Today I raced my car all 3 times. On Tuesday, I will try to post the MOST updated version of the car scores. Other than that, I was just updating my website and PDF's.
I came back from a race at Lake Perris. I placed 24th out of 60ish people. I am proud of how I did on my first race, and I'm excited for what's to come. Here is a picture of my chihuahua:
Today we got a new Wednesday challenge. It was similar to the one where we had to design a capital "E", and build another group's E. Here is the PDF:
Capital A Wednesday Challenge
Here is our A:
What ours came out as
The A we received
(We weren't able to finish building the A, so there is no pic, sorry!)
During these days, we really did not do anything too exciting. We were just updating our websites, and focusing on everything. I am not going to update it daily for this period because it would just be the same entries.
On both of these days, I was working on a Wednesday Challenge of building a boat tail out of cardboard. As in boat tail, I mean the tail of a rocket. I will post the form on Monday. I will also try to take pictures of my 2nd race at Vail Lake / Temecula. Here is the rocket part we built:
I am sooooo stupid. I was too lazy to enter pics of my real life / Wednesday Challenges into my website. Well, now that I have updated, and I am done with my second race (sorry I couldn't take pics), I can only improve my website by adding more pictures and entries.
Today is the day I race my re-vamped model car. By re-vamped, I mean racing backwards, not forwards. I am excited to see how my car performs, and if I can go on. Here is the car I will soon have to build:
We were given a new Wednesday Challenge today. It is the BIG one. If we win, it gives us an automatic A for the quarter. I decided to partner up with Shaunt. This is a week-long project, so I will have the form posted next Wednesday / Thursday.
On both of these days Shaunt and I were brainstorming ideas. At the last minute, we decided to really turn things around. Our idea is to get a teddy bear, cut a small opening, take some cotton out, insert the chip, put cotton back in, seal opening, then send it. It's super soft, and will hopefully do well. I am excited to see what we have to build. Here are the instructions for the one we are building:
Other Group's Design
Here is ours:
Our Design
On Monday, we started to work on the design. We had to find materials, this included foam, scissors, box cutters, cardboard, and tape. Unfortunately, Dr. Neat didn't have any foam for us until Wednesday. So, we couldnt' start getting serious until Wednesday.
On Tuesday, we began to cut out the outlines for our box. It was quite time-consuming, because it took us the entire period to find the right piece, measure it, and cut it out. We will be finishing it tomorrow, and I am happy to see our progress so far.
The day has come. Time to box it, tape it up, and send it to Dr. Neat's house. Hopefully it makes it, and doesn't get mistaken as a bomb (it's a long story). I just took a picture of it before we boxed it up.
Before:
After: 
Today I took a break day. Just catching up on websites. I'm happy with how our box turned out. I think we have a chance at winning. The foam surrounds the chip, and keeps it shut tight and immobile.
Today is minimum day! I am writing this after spring break, because I couldn't update. However, I still had tons of fun with the Wednesday Challenge.
SSSSSSPPPPPPPRRRRRRRIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNGGGGGGG BBBBBBBRRRRRRRREEEEEEEAAAAAAAKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here are some pictures from it:
Another picture of one of my dogs:
Here is a tree from where I rode:
This was tasty:
I got some new headphones:
I did many things over the break. I raced at Keyesville / Lake Isabella, which totaled in a 16 mile race with 1,800 feet of climbing. I went to Universal Studios with my best friend who I have known since kindergarden, and ate a GIANT donut. Mountain biking was as fun as usual, and I am going to tell you that I have qualified for States. This race is a competition between both Northern California and Southern California. It's a 6 hour drive, but I know it'll be fun.
Today the FLL group presented to us about what happened at Ventura, both on the field, and at the hotel. I wish I could join, but I can't because of my Mountain Biking. It's still cool to know what happened at the competitions.
We got a new Wednesday Challenge today. It was a fun change, because it had to do with a pencil and paper, along with coming up with an arguement, and NOT building something. Here it is:
Math Wednesday Challenge
Here is our paper:
Today we finished up the presentations for the Wednesday Challenge. Then, we were given another day to work / update our websites. It was pretty chill, and I've been staying on top of keeping my website updated and live.
Dr. Neat or Mr. Miller weren't here today, so we were just updating and working on our websites once again. I am happy that we were given more time to update our websites, cause I need everything to raise my grade from a B+ to an A.
Today the FIRST Robotics group presented to us about the Finals in Orange County. They qualified for Nationals because they won an award (I forgot the name) that invited them to Nationals. I am happy that they made it becuase it seems to me that a LOT of the team is graduating this year.
THIS JUST IN: THE SECOND CAR IS CANCELLED! FORGET ABOUT IT! IT'S SSSSSKKKKAAAATTTTEEEEBBBOOOOAAAAARRRRRDDDDD TTTTTIIIIIIIMMMMMMEEEEEE!!! I am SO excited for this if you couldn't tell. Apart from this, we were just working on our websites.
Today we were given a new Wednesday Challenge. It had more to do with mathematics, so I liked it. I don't wanna go too much into detail, so if you want to know more, here is the pdf:
Pi Wednesday Challenge
And here is what our paper looked like:
Today we learned how to make skateboards on SketchUp. It's insane how much skill Kevin has on SketchUp. He has been taking this class for 4 years, and he has SO much experience with it, that he can mentor an entire classroom with ease.
The Falkons have already recieved $9,465 in just 2 days! They need around 15k for everyone, but it's still nice to know that they are being funded, being raised to World competitions, and even some random people have contributed to both the Falkons and Fridolies (Swiss sister team) to World level. The results for the potato chips are in... Mason & Raul (designer) and Keilah (builder) won. Here it is: Potato Chip Scores
This week we have block schedule. This means that I will be going to this class only on Monday, Wednesday, and on Friday we are back to normal schedule. So, my updates will be limited. Anyways, today we worked on skateboards for the whole period. Just doing SketchUps.
Today we continued our work on our skateboards. I helped out Tyler and Elisabeth with theirs as well. It was pretty fun, but also a little bit frustrating. (Tyler if you are reading this then DON'T EVER USE SKETCHUP AGAIN)
THIS IS SOME PRETTY INTERESTING NEWS: MORE SKETCHUP AND SKATEBOARDS!!!! YYYYYYAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY!!! I LOVE THIS CLASS... But that is seriously all we have been doing all week. Just furthering our work on SketchUp. Preeeettyy exciting stuff. By the way, no Wednesday Challenge this week. Just a reminder. Here is my skateboard so far:
I am updating this from Monday, and here is the FINAL product:
This is also a late update, but we did some pretty fun stuff at the MTB race. We did some SCIENCE!! Here is the result:
Today we started off the period with a video. Dr. Neat used to work at JPL, and one of his students now works at JPL, and is in this video. Here it is:
I enjoy watching these videos because it's always relevant to our topics. Plus, Dr. Neat always seems to find a way to discover a video that relates to our subject.
Yay... I love it when my copy of the board DOESN'T ALIGN. I think it copied out 3 extra copies of my board. It's REALLY annoying and time-consuming to find the papers, align them, cut them, and tape them together. But I am still super hyped for the final product of the longboard.
Today we finished gluing our "prototype" longboard. We essentially got 4 pieces of cardboard, and glued them on top of each other. It took almost the whole period, and it got quite messy. We had to distribute the glue evenly across the whole surface. It was fun, even though glue got stuck on my clothes.
I don't recall what we did today. I am sooo tired, so I'll tell you what I did after school. For practice, we rode around Cherry. It was pretty fun, so I will hopefully enjoy this race.
Today I still worked on my skateboard. The cardboard looked good. I can't wait to start cutting my "plywood." It's gonna be fun to assemble my board.
Sorry everyone I went home early because of food poisoning. I don't know what poisoned me, but it hurt A LOT. You'd think your parents would understand why you had to go home after puking 5 times in under 1 minute. I missed a Wednesday Challenge too. If you wanna see a fake form of it, here it is: 5' by 5' Wednesday Challenge
Today we updated all of our websites. I'm in a rush, sooo this is all I can put in for today. Believe me, there's nothing else I did.
Today I put all the finishing touches to my website. Since it's 1:55 PM right now, I am not going to put anything else in becuase I just updated my entires. That's All Folks!
Today I finally finished my paper layout of my SketchUp. Now, I have to cut out the border of the board, so I can trace it on to my cardboard plywood. I am way ahead of everybody except for 2 guys. We are still going to finish around the same time, but I am still happy to be ahead.
Today I finished tracing the layout of my skateboard on to my cardboard plywood. I ALMOST finished cutting it out completely, but the bell rang when I only had 1 cut left, so I had to postpone it.
I finished cutting out the layout today. I liked the drill because it was super easy to control, and it was surprisingly fun. I would enjoy doing this again in the future, because tools are fun and satisfying to use for me.
Now, we have to mount the trucks onto our cardboard boards. It was a little bit confusing at first, but once I started, I got the hang of it. I didn't even start mounting until next Wednesday, because we also had to read Dr. Neat's son's powerpoint on longboards.
Today I updated my website. Update after update after update Update after update after update Update after update after update Update after update after update Update after update after update Update after update after update Update after update after update. Ahhh, the power of copy & paste.
I can't remember what I did today. It's been a busy 2 weeks, and it's hard to recall what I've been doing for these longboards. (Sorry)
Today I drilled the hole for the screws of my truck. I really hope that they are perfectly aligned, so I can move on to wood.
Instead of doing a Wednesday challenge, we continued our work on the skateboards. That's really it. I did finish mounting my trucks, though.
Since I'm gonna be absent tomorrow, I had to rush to update, so, like last Friday, Update after update after updateUpdate after update after updateUpdate after update after updateUpdate after update after updateUpdate after update after updateUpdate after update after updateUpdate after update after updateUpdate after update after updateUpdate after update after updateUpdate after update after updateUpdate after update after updateUpdate after update after update.
HAI DR NEAT IM IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA I THINK IM FAMOUS TELL MY FAMILY I LOVE THEM AND TO WATCH THE NEWWWWWSSSS. haha just kidding. U kno I am absint.