For my capstone, I decided to install a water fountain at Camp Dark Waters (CDW). It would be placed in a corner of the field which would give kids easy access to water while they are playing running games in the hot summer sun. Without this fountain, the closest water fountain was a 5 to 10-minute walk. I decided to place a water fountain and a cool-down shower at the edge of the softball field. There was no pipeline that went to the softball field, so a majority of my project was digging the trench for the pipeline. I started digging in late March as the ground started to soften up, and with a few complications and unexpected circumstances popping up was not able to finish. Everything is set up and built, I just need to connect the pipeline which has to be completed while it is dry.

Link to Photos of Capstone: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/137ar8XdGtY-wU0DjECANE8jQwcSfZQD6?usp=share_link

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1e_vK1iV8kfhdBFjFjVGq3UKuaNEqhpXhwHMExY-1x2U/edit?usp=sharing

The project I chose to do for my Capstone was to improve upon the wind tunnel that is used in CTE Engineering. A wind tunnel is a testing system that can simulate an object in flight that is commonly used in aerospace engineering fields. At the beginning of the year, the wind tunnel was nothing more than a wooden tunnel with a fan at the end and it was my job to improve upon it. This project required a lot of research and also funding from Braskem. My improvements included a system to test lift and drag, a large contractor and diffuser to create a higher wind speed, and a flow visualization system that uses smoke to show how air interacts with the object. This project taught me a lot about wind tunnels and the physics behind them, how to use a 3D modeling software to create what I need, how to use the 3D printer and the laser cutter, and how to work through a massive project over a long period of time. My final product is a functional wind tunnel that will be used in CTE Engineering to help students learn about aerospace engineering.

Link to my annotated bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1S-XmrO7V6_UPeks_sV3KXZGDeXkwOhrh3CQHroRIPmo/edit?usp=sharing

By using the Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) approach to solve the problem of feral cat overpopulation, my capstone project intended to bridge the gap between my personal and academic lives. To reduce the number of feral cats and enhance their well-being, TNR involves catching, spaying/neutering, and relocating the cats to their original habitat. I chose to do my research because of my passion for the topic and the negative consequences of population growth, including the spread of disease, competition for resources, and effects on wildlife. My capstone matched SLA’s five guiding principles. Researching cat behavior, trap design, and community needs prompted the inquiry. To enhance the design process, extensive research was conducted on the materials, methods, and traps already in use. The most effective trap ideas were chosen after thorough evaluation and brainstorming, and they were then prototyped and tested with my pet cat and bait. I found some obstacles including selecting a material that would minimize harm to trapped animals.

Annotated Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1I5OS5l_T6PfmVBTPG7SPgSvVdOquQDSbjZyDD95DCvU/edit?usp=sharing

My capstone project was to design and simulate a model rocket that used a dual-deploy parachute system. I decided to do this project because of my interest in model rockets and aerospace engineering. The rocket is 39 inches long and has about a 2-inch diameter. Dual deployment means that once it reaches its apogee, the highest point, a small parachute gets released, then a larger parachute gets released once it gets much closer to the ground. A normal parachute system just releases one large parachute at apogee. I researched different components of model rockets and model rocket kits. Then I designed a rocket in Fusion 360, a CAD software. I then took that design and created it in a simulation tool called Open Rocket. I adjusted the design to get the apogee over a thousand feet. Then I went to the CAD and added the changes I made in the simulation. The other data I’m collecting from the simulation are the drag coefficient and the horizontal distance traveled. The horizontal distance is important because the point of a dual-deploy parachute system is to decrease the distance a rocket travels after its parachute is deployed. Throughout this project, I have learned so much about how model rockets work, how to use Fusion 360, and how to use Open Rocket. All of these are skills that I plan on using in the future as an aerospace engineer.

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZBTOZC78DLeTPDKGGQUDDRYAeXIkPatUDR6PWbz7qaM/edit?usp=sharing

For my capstone, I decided to build a desk where I can be able to practice doing nails. What inspired me to build a desk for nails was my passion for it. I have always loved getting my nails done and still do so now. Everytime I would get my nails done, I would watch closely to see what all they were doing because I was so fascinated and curious about it. In addition to what inspired me to build a desk for nails was that it will help me in college. A way to be known in a big college like Penn State, be able to make new friends, and make it my side job just to keep me busy.

Annotated Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aywKPetK7AmOuaPg6cgjowuSBqXTUUJzJcr7dlKf6uk/edit?usp=sharing

For my capstone project, I studied the science of hot air balloons and created one myself. I’ve always had an interest in air travel, particularly airplanes and hot air balloons. The guiding question for this project was, “How can I use the science of thermodynamics and other engineering principles to create a miniature hot air balloon?”

My capstone project was split into several phases. During the research phase, I learned about the basic principles of a hot air balloon, as well as all the parts that make it work. I also learned about the Montgolfier brothers and their first ever hot air balloon. During the prototyping phase, I created three lighter than air vehicles, or “LTAVs” for short. LTAV-03 became my final product for my capstone.

Creating a hot air balloon from scratch was a lot more difficult than I thought it would be at first. Air temperature, and by extension air density, play a huge role in getting the balloon off the ground. I also had to worry about heat sources, since open flame was a little too risky due to the small size of the prototypes. Also, figuring out the lifting power of the balloon was a bit tricky since the outside air temperature kept changing, and some of the test flights were done indoors. Despite these challenges, I successfully got the final product to lift off and I’m proud to say I created a working hot air balloon for my capstone.

Link to my capstone presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1OT0i4QkbxNRrJXsYbYxAnKUwDW_L7g9D4UKFqm3Ecqo/edit?usp=sharing

Annotated Bibliography:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XTB4efIXDvLuyVVlCjLoiPXvnJ8ev-HWp7_xIqOk5Zc/edit?usp=sharing

For my capstone I started an official boys volleyball team at SLA. This project required a lot of research into the differences between boys and girls volleyball, including the fact that boys volleyball is very attack-based and places a larger emphasis on blocking. I also had to learn how to integrate into the boys team dynamic and collaborate effectively with the players who had other sports commitments. Despite facing challenges such as not having a fully functional net, the boys in the team were very supportive and understanding, and even managed to compete and win despite this obstacle. The other schools’ athletic directors were also accommodating and supportive throughout the process. Looking forward, there is now a full team ready to compete next year, and I believe that this is a team that will continue to be a part of the school’s athletic program for years to come.

My capstone project, First-Aid Cabinetmaking, has multiple inspirations and reasons as to why I chose to pick it. I very much wanted to combine my engineering experience with my passion for Medicine and making an impact on others’ lives. At the same time, I strived to give back to the community I’ve been a part of for 4 years before leaving. The resulting factor led to me choosing to build a first-aid cabinet after also realizing there was no emergency equipment on higher floors. One of the driving factors in choosing a woodworking project was that I wanted to build my skills in the engineering shop with machinery or hand work since covid held me back from that.

To be honest, I was tired of just using traditional screws and drills. I wanted to use my hands more so I won’t have to rely too much on the quality of the wood or machinery like the CNC. This led to the decision to use a router to make mortises/dado joints and rabbet joints to connect all of the shelves and cabinet framing together. This took the most time by far but I think I improved on the most seeing as I had never touched a router beforehand. I hope that others in the future can look at this capstone and be inspired to pursue something which combines their interest. I also hope they can be proud of how much their skills would have improved just like I did.

Annotated Bibliography:

Abstract

My capstone project is called The Dustless Chop Saw Table, which is almost exactly what it sounds like. If you don’t know what a chop saw is, it is a vertical cutting stationary saw used to cut individual sections of lumber and other commodities to length. In my opinion it is one of the most important tools in the shop, probably second to the drill press. Many of our projects require sections of wood, or foam which many times Kamal has us use the chop saw to cut our material. The table is around 10 feet long and 4 feet deep, very large, so I designed it in a way to have it slide in between a pillar and an air exchanger. It has 3 main parts, the left and right cutoffs and the dust hood. The dust hood is essential to keeping the dustless part in the name because it keeps all saw dust, foam particles and anything else from getting into the air exchangers and around the shop. The reason I am doing this is because Kamal needed a new setup for the chop saw, the stand for the saw was not helpful, it was loose and weird shaped. Kamal wanted something new, so I stepped forward. The process was extremely long, with many times I found myself not wanting to continue because it was so tedious or time consuming, but I powered through. With tons of material cut, and tons of hours it was complete.

Annotated Bibliography

https://docs.google.com/document/d/13yAAWzVDY_JidpvqJZOUH8EgwVvjlkZV_5cSpwOffkI/edit?usp=sharing

Throughout my four years in SLA, I had many defining interests that led me to be the person I am today. However, while racking my brain for answers I landed on three main topics engineering, sustainability, and the arts. These three subjects were pivotal, so I decided to bridge all three. So I went to find to seek items that aren’t seen necessarily as art and use the skills I honed and developed in engineering to give them recognition. This all came together in the form of a bench. This bench was made in response to the culture of fast furniture and the constant cycle of chairs that can’t be recycled being thrown away and bought to replace them with the use of harmful chemicals, with the finishes, adhesives, and treatments used on furniture emitting gasses even after leaving the production. So with this project, I hope I can show others that we can add to spaces without creating waste all the while using the materials all around us.

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11iHJLTqgkbGGfpy7YGrgXy9Ol3pTmEgC1rI8l91cRcM/edit?usp=sharing