For my first project of the semester, I was heavily interested in looking at mechanical engineering and the steam engine. As I researched the steam engine, I realized I'd probably have to switch my topic more towards public transport to contextualize the background behind it, and how it affected society as a whole. So I began researching public transport and how the individualistic thinking of the USA negatively affects it. At the end of my project, I'd created a 3D model of a working steam engine, a argumentative essay against private transport and individualism, and a statistical analysis of how the general public views public transport. I learned how terrible the USA's public transport infrastructure is, how people view public and private transport, the design of a double-acting steam engine, and why society chooses private transport over public.
Honors Portfolio 2
For my art piece, I modeled a steam engine and researched how it helped humanity, it's purpose, and how it was incorporated within transportation. Before I could start modeling, I needed to have a basic understanding of how the steam engine worked, and which engine I planned to model. As I researched, I was stuck between two possibilities: the Watt Atmospheric Engine, or the double-acting steam engine. In the end, I decided that the double-acting engine had more of a relation to transport and modeled it. It works by taking steam from a boiler and directing it into a shaft for a piston. This moves the piston causing the wheel to spin. As the wheel spins, a second piston changes which side steam enters the first piston shaft. The second piston is also responsible for exhausting steam from one side of the first piston. If you click on the link for my model, you can spin the wheel and see how the pistons move. The steam engine was created originally to pump water out of mines. As it evolved it was responsible for more tasks like transportation, manufacturing, etc. It's creation sparked the industrial revolution and it still has a lasting effect on humanity to this day.
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Honors Self in Modern World
For Honors Self in the Modern World I wrote an informative research paper on the culture around public transport and the relationship between individualism and how the public views transport. Before I could start writing, I needed to research, so I conducted two surveys with one being targeted towards CYHS students, and one targeted towards adults. From my surveys, I found a clear correlation between individualistic thinking and supporting private transport. Teenagers were far more collectivist than adults with around half leaning towards collectivism. Coincidentally, more teens supported public transport than adults. Adults were also far more individualistic and none surveyed said they used public transport. This was just one part of my research as I also had to find the origin of common stereotypes of public transport. I found that America has been thinking individualistically for centuries, and in the 1950s they started tearing down their public transport infrastructure. This lead to failures in public transport, its downfall in the US, and Americans viewing public transport as a welfare service. You can view my essay by clicking the button.
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Honors English 4
For my Honors English 4 portion, I wrote an argumentative essay supporting public transport and collectivist thinking. Within the essay, I define individualism and collectivism, and I provide explanations of how they affect the given context of transportation. I researched the problems with private and public transportation, collectivism and individualism, and the pros of private and/or public transport. I used some of the explanations from my survey for social studies for arguments against collectivism and public transport. I argued that individualistic thinking and overuse of the automobile will eventually end up rebounding and hurting the individuals using them. The environmental impacts and waste from automobiles and traffic congestion will cause far more problems. Public transport, however, doesn't have those conflicts. All it needs to succeed is further patronage and further funding. Click on the button to read my essay.
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