Define the Problem
We created a gantt chart as well as divided responsibilities so we could keep track of the activities completed and which ones needed to be done. We only had three days to complete this project so it was important that we work together and complete each step to the best of our ability in a timely manor.
![Picture](/uploads/1/1/7/6/117626016/bbf601c2-c1a3-44cc-bb47-018333442c65.png?250)
Generate Concepts
Pros:
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Pros
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Pros
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Woven Tarp
Turbidity: 83.2 NTU The tarp significantly decreased the turbidity, but it took a longer time to pass through. |
Sand/Coffee Filter
Turbidity: 433 NTU The sand went right through the coffee filter and contaminated the water even more. |
Coffee Filter
Turbidity: 35.4 NTU The coffee filter works very well, with other materials factored in it will most likely succeed. |
Develop a Solution
Construct and Test Prototype
When we tested our final design (coal, gravel, pebbles, coffee filter) we reached a turbidity level of 8.2 in 7 minutes and 52 seconds.
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We were pleased with our turbidity level, We thought if we added more products or doubled the coffee filter we could have lowered the turbidity even more. Our filter did take the longest time to process, a larger exit area for the water may have made the process go faster.
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Evaluate the Solution
We tested two different solutions. The first one was very similar to our final, except there was a cotton round placed in between the coal and the gravel. The cotton round absorbed most of the water and made it very difficult for any to pass through. It was taking too long for any water to come through at all, so we did not test our results and ended up moving on. We removed the cotton round and continued with our design of a coffee filter, coal, gravel and pebbles and found that we had the lowest turbidity level out of everyone in the class.
Presentation
https://wcps-my.sharepoint.com/:p:/g/personal/elizabethgcoad21_worcesterk12_org/EWpRlnjrSxxPtn8-H6RxbyEBi9kpf2RcyVqfuImDc1D3SA?e=j07L4X
https://wcps-my.sharepoint.com/:p:/g/personal/elizabethgcoad21_worcesterk12_org/EWpRlnjrSxxPtn8-H6RxbyEBi9kpf2RcyVqfuImDc1D3SA?e=j07L4X
Reflection
Starting this project on the virtual side was very different and definitely a new experience. It's very hard to help with the project from home because you can't participate as much as you usually do. Luckily I came in Monday so we were able to finish out the project together. The first thing we did was split up the different jobs. I recorded all the results and helped guide the project because I was at home. Lizzie tested all the materials and created prototypes. After this Lizzie created the gantt chart while I created the design brief. The Gantt chart was very helpful on keeping us on schedule and not letting us take too much time on one part. Then we started to brainstorm and came up with a list of materials we were going to try out. We put these into a decision matrix we created to see which one was the best. We then started testing where we tried 5 different materials. They were coffee filter with gravel, a tarp, coffee filter, coffee filter with sand, and charcoal. The best ones at filtering water were the gravel with coffee filter, charcoal, and coffee filter. The tarp would barely let any water through and the sand was very bad at filtering the water. We started our research to see water filters already created. We took some of these ideas to construct our own water filters. Our first prototype from bottom to top was a coffee filter on the outside, charcoal, a cotton circle, gravel, and small rocks. In our test we realized the cotton circle was suctioning to the side of the water bottle and barely letting any water through; it also absorbed a lot of the water. So, we decided to remove the cotton circle and try again. This prototype still took a long time to filter the water (but not as long). At this point we thought there was a certain time we had to filter the water to 100 mL in. So we stopped and went to test the NTU in the water to see if it was good. It turned out it was 1st place. We then asked Mrs. Zienty if time mattered and she said no so we quickly reconstructed the same prototype. It took 7 minutes and 52 seconds for it to filter 100 mL of water. The turbidity level of our filtered water was 8.2 which secured us first place. We were both really excited because we weren't expecting to do so good. I would say Lizzie and I worked really well together even though I was online for the first half. We split the work up evenly and always knew what we were doing. On Monday when we were both there we got right to work in no time. One thing to make the project better is you could have students bring in stuff to use as filters. Or have more of a variety of stuff to use. I feel like everyone used the same type of materials and there was no variety in the water filters. Lastly one thing I would've done differently next time is do more research. Because I was home to start I didn't really know what I should do research on. When I got to class we were already doing our final design. Overall this was a very fun experience and I learned a lot about water filtering and everything that goes with it.