2025 STEAM EXPO

PROJECT SUMMARY

I had the problem of working in actual size in Rhino, and for the wheels, I almost cut them with 8 sides. Later at home, I fixed it by using a 10-sided shape for the wheels. I also couldn’t cut the wooden wheels with the electric router to make them solid, so since I was running out of time, I decided to cut several wheel and side triangle pieces to glue them together and make them thicker.

WHY?

I originally saw the idea on Pinterest and thought it looked really cool. Then I realized it could be useful for kids or teenagers to practice math by calculating and checking their answers with the spinning calculator. I wanted to make something that was both fun and educational.

HOW?

I made it using thin wood and used the laser cutter with help from my teacher. Then I started gluing the pieces I mentioned before and assembled everything. I took it home to paint it with acrylic paints, and for the numbers, I used a permanent marker.

WHAT?

Yes, it actually worked as I expected, and I think it would be really useful for kids and teenagers, as I mentioned before. It could also help anyone who needs to practice basic math. The spinning design makes it fun and interactive to use.

SO WHAT?

Thanks to this project, we can help kids and teenagers practice thinking about the answers since it is not an automatic calculator. It encourages them to calculate on their own before checking their results. This way, it promotes learning and improves math skills.

WHAT'S NEXT?

I would change the way I painted it because I wasn’t completely satisfied with the result. However, I tried to make it as creative as possible. Next time, I would experiment with different painting techniques or materials to improve the look.

REFERENCES & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The project was based on an idea I saw on Pinterest, and I tried to make it as creative as possible.

JUDGES FEEDBACK

Your spinning calculator is an innovative and engaging tool that effectively combines creativity with functionality. It’s impressive how you’ve designed a hands-on device that encourages users to actively engage in mathematical problem-solving. You might also think about adding simple instructions or labels directly on the calculator. That way, anyone using it for the first time can easily understand how it works and get the most out of it right away.

Report abuse