Yes, it's a joke.
So, the JPL madness has begun. In engineering class, we recently assembled groups and started working on our JPL Engineering Challenge projects. About a week ago, to get a break from the chaos of collaboration, we were instructed to research a solution to a simple problem that has had a revolutionary impact on our day-to-day lives, and create a presentation. I chose the Ball Valve (sounds simple, right?) Unbeknownst to me, it wasn't a simple solution whatsoever. In my research, I discovered the tremendous amount of products that use the ball valve to function, but also the amount of engineering and problem solving that went into making the device we use today. I think this is almost an exact reflection of what's happening with our JPL challenge, and probably with most engineering work - the problem always seems like it has a simple solution, but once building and testing has begun, the process becomes exponentially more frustrating and complex.
We're already encountering this pattern in our JPL challenge, and I'm starting to remember what is so difficult about working in groups. As far as the progress we've made in our ping-pong ball challenge, I feel as though we're behind from where we should be, but I trust that my group will be able to catch up. Our current design plan uses a series of springs and strings which propel the ping-pong balls one at a time, and I think the way my group is handling the technicalities of the design may lead to some critical faults. Our main issue is that we have not settled on a method for getting the ball from the air into the mason jar. I can think of a decent solution for at least a few of those issues, and I know that we'll be able to figure it out in the end.
Because of these flaws, I feel like my group may soon see some major design adjustments, and possibly even an entire overhaul. However, during the last couple class periods, through sketching and discussing, I've seen some major problem-solving and solutions coming out, so I am more optimistic than before.
As I'm sure is the same with everyone else in the EDD class, and even the entire senior class of 2020, I am extremely overwhelmed. College applications have hit me like a truck, and on top of that, the classes I'm taking this year are some of the hardest I've ever taken. Surprisingly, multivariable calculus is relatively manageable, but my electricity and magnetism class seems to be filling in any gaps of time I have left in the day. The course, unlike mechanics, seems entirely abstract and I've been having trouble grasping the concepts. I guess it's time to stop thinking about why the equations are the way they are, and just start using them.