Truss Design 01
Testing Apparatus for Straw Lab Fall 2018 has been off to a very strong start. Being back in an academic environment is both really challenging and very inspiring. It has been tough to balance a full-time course load with a part-time job, but, so far, being able to still do classes like EK301 (Mechanics) has been rewarding. I missed creating designs and prototypes more -- much more -- than I realized. The truss design project that I just started has really switched on the engineering light bulb. I am not a huge fan of the traditional, exam-based learning that most engineering classes use, but these little peaks into applications and projects (which is how I fell in love with engineering) makes it all worthwhile. The final project started off with a lab test on the straws my group will use to design a sturdy bridge or 'truss.' The straw lab required lots of attention to detail and control, and, fortunately, I was able to stay later to complete the remaining tests and