2025 STEAM EXPO

The Judges Committee has awarded this submission Excellence in STEAM Synergy

PROJECT SUMMARY

In the Industrial Arts class at the creative building, I had to design and build a simple mechanical system, using mainly wood, that could generate a repetitive movement manually and functionally. The challenge was to make the parts move in a coordinated and continuous way using a basic mechanism, such as a cam.

WHY?

I did this project because I wanted to learn how movement mechanisms work, especially cams, and apply that knowledge in a practical and fun creation. I also wanted to work with wood and create a piece that combined the art of carving with movement.

HOW?

First, I designed the wooden box structure and hand-carved the little ducks. Then I built a system of rotating cams that, when moving, push rods connected to the ducks and musical notes, generating an up-and-down movement. In the case of some ducks, I modified the mechanism so that, in addition to moving up and down, they would rotate completely or from side to side. I used woodworking tools, cutting tools, a lot of measuring, and trial and error to adjust the mechanism.

WHAT?

I find out how a cam mechanism can transform circular motion into linear motion. I also learned about the importance of precision in assembly so that the system works smoothly. Additionally, I understood how to combine technical and artistic aspects in a single project.

20241121_141844 (1) - Valentina Rolón.mp4

SO WHAT?

I could expand the project by adding more moving figures, incorporating an electric motor to automate the movement, or including additional elements such as lights or a music box. It could also be turned into an educational version to teach mechanical principles to children.

WHAT'S NEXT?

My project shows that a simple cam mechanism can turn circular motion into coordinated, repetitive movement. I learned how important precision is in building mechanical systems and how to combine technical and artistic skills. My project shows that mechanical concepts can be applied creatively and used for educational purposes.

REFERENCES & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I thank teacher Celeste Torres for her guidance throughout the process, teacher Fumie, and my classmates for their suggestions and help. As a main reference, I used the work of artist and designer Amedeo Capelli, whose mechanical wooden creations were a great inspiration for the design and movement of my project

JUDGES FEEDBACK

I really like this project due to all the aspects of STEAM that it encompasses. Science, engineering, and art stand out in the final product and I am sure that technology and math played an important role in completing it. It is aesthetically pleasing and works well. I also liked seeing your design process, especially the cardboard prototyping. I like the idea of motorizing it, but maybe you could make a “smart” device by also adding sensors and using a microcontroller for the motor and sensors.

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