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LEARNING ABOUT STEM BY BUILDING A GEODESIC HOUSEBOATM I C H A E L R W E E K E S , B S I E , L E A N S I X S I G M A B B
C O - F O U N D E R , W N Y S T E M H U B
B U F F A L O , N Y
( 7 1 6 ) 5 1 7 - 7 9 5 7
M I C H A E L L O V E S B U F F A L O @ G M A I L . C O M
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
AGENDA
1) Why Build a Geodesic Houseboat?To solve a problem (the reason STEM matters).
2) How the Process Revealed STEMLessons learned under the dome.
3) Domes Make STEM Fun and Meaningful Kids (of all ages) like learning a whole lot more when it
is part of making something that provides value and is fun in the process!
4) A Global STEM Geodesic Enterprise Architecture The simple, holistic, robust, integrated framework solution
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
THE DREAM
Arguably all science, technology, engineering, math and art starts with a dream or a yearning or is influenced or helped by it. Example: Lewis Structure appeared first in a dream as snakes engulfing each other.
An affordable waterfront get-away made ofour own design, simple yet capable.
WHY BUILD A GEODESIC HOUSEBOAT?
OpportunityWNY is about the waterfront It’s where the fun, the tranquility and the action is
We all love water and waterfrontsEvery guy I know longs to build his own boat since he read about Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn
Show me a city or town and I’ll show you the most expensive real estate: IT’S ALONG THE WATER!
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
WHY BUILD A GEODESIC HOUSEBOAT?
ProblemBuying boats is expensiveBuilding boats is expensiveKeeping boats up is expensiveMaintenance can waste time You may need new knowledgeLoading and unloading Insurance, risk, theft
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
Cost Quality Time
WHY BUILD A GEODESIC HOUSEBOAT?
Solving The Problem (Scientific Process)Define / gather data / learnMeasure / Model Analyze / SimulateTry / Assess / Adjust Improve / Achieve solutionResults / Outcomes
plan
do
check
act
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
Lighter Quicker Cheaper
WHY BUILD A GEODESIC HOUSEBOAT?
The RequirementsSize - At lease 10’ wide, 16’ long, 7’6” highShelter – from wind, rain, cold, sun, heatNourishment – Food, drink, Cooler, GrillCapacity – seating, type, materials, cost, comfort
Safety – Not sinking or harming anyoneFunction - Accommodate up to 6 or 8 guests Appearance – attractive, intriguing, differentHaving Fun!
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
WHY BUILD A GEODESIC HOUSEBOAT?
Options Buy an old motor or sail boat and fix it up Build the equivalent
Shanty boat, packet boat, day-sailor, motor skiff
New ProblemsPoor appearance (there’s a reason why a boat is for sale)
Excessive cost or labor or time to make and maintainFacility to build, if we did not buySkills required, workmanship, quality, injury
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE, BUT HOW DOES IT LOOK?
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
Functional isn’tNecessarily pretty!
OUT-OF-THE-BOX SOLUTION
Geodesic Houseboat
Hull made from storage containersLight, inexpensive, robust enoughNo epoxy or resin, milling, cutting, fastening
Cabin made from Geodesic Dome / ShellLight, inexpensive, robust enoughMade from common lumber (2x2) and plywood
Quick to assemble, easy to understand / buildVery interesting to look at / tech-look / alluring
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
OUT-OF-THE-BOX SOLUTION
Geodesic Houseboat
Hull made from storage containers
Cabin made from Geodesic Dome / Shell
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
THE DREAM COMES TRUE – JULY 23RD, 2013
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
HOW THE PROCESS REVEALED STEM
The Math of Building a Geodesic Houseboat
Triangles
Isosceles (two sides the same in length)
Equilateral (all three sides the same)
Pentagons
Nothing more than Five Isosceles Triangles joined along the shorter sides
(struts)
Hexagons
A Mix of Isosceles and Equilateral Triangles
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
TRIANGLES, PENTAGONS AND HEXAGONS
By joining sets of isoscelesTriangles together weAchieve pentagons
Topview
sideview
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
THE RELATIONSHIP OF R, RADIUS
R
a a
a
a
b
b
b
b
b
In our application
With Radius of R
a = 0.547 x R
B = 0.618 x R
Let’s look at the prospect of buildingA dome from six if these pentagons.
We call that a second frequency icosahedron.
a
a
NOTEa > r
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
THE SECOND FREQUENCY ICOSAHEDRON
If we fasten the six pentagons together along with ten equilateral triangles we end up with a dome (or half of a sphere).
With a radius of 5’, Lengths of a = 0.547 x 5.00 = 2.735’The b strut will = 0.618 x 5.00 = 3.09’.
b
b
b
b
a
aa
a
a
We can now buildA simple dome for Any radius or diameter!
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
THE FIVE SOLIDS
Cube
Tetrahedron
Icosahedron
Octahedron
Dodecahedron
This presentation focusesPrimarily on the version ofThe icosahedron nicknamedThe second frequency dome.
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
THE SOLIDS
NOTE:No cube - Too unstable!
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
tetrahedron
octahedron
icosahedron
dodecahedron
THE SMALLER THE TRIANGLE, THE HIGHER THE FREQUENCY AND COMPLEXITY OF THE DOME
Domes can grow to an infinite number of struts and hubs, but 80,000 is abut the highest number recently found to be effective is scientific research and development
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
CLASS HANDS-ON LEARNING EXERCISEBUILDING A SIMPLE 2V PAPER GEODESIC DOME
This class exercise comes to us from the HILA Science Group – visit www.hilaroad.com
The exercise invites us to assemble our own dome in class, using pre-cut pieces of poster paper so we can learn by doing. We will make a 20” dia. Dome.
The dome consists of a total of 40 pieces:
Thirty isosceles triangles to make up a total of six pentagons
Ten equilateral triangles between adjacent pentagons
The dimensions follow the same formula mentioned
R = 10”, so a = 0.547 x R or 5.47” and b = 0.618 x R = 6.18”
A list of all necessary items is available
This exercise was tested and validates at the Seneca Street Community Center – Madaille College
Participants will build the domes with guidance.
Each participant will mark the triangles with their name, creating a geodesic model of our team and a method of celebrating our
cooperative accomplishment demonstrating teamwork as well as how STEM works.
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
ASSEMBLY DIAGRAM – HANDS-ON EXERCISE
Make six of these pentagons.
Fasten isosceles triangles.
Fasten the five pentagons together with the equilateral triangles like a fence.
1
2
3
4
Complete the dome byFastening the sixthPentagon on top.
EVALUATION - CLASS EXAMPLE QUESTIONSWhat did you learn as you built the dome?
What was the hardest part?
What was fun about the process?
How would you define quality in the process?
How does this solid differ from a cube?
Would it take you less time to do your next dome?
Why?
Did you seem to specialize in a particular role?
Are you more of a supervisor or a builder?
How could this be more fun the next time?
Could you write an instruction on how to build a dome?
What domes in the real world can you imagine?
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
GEODESIC INFLUENCE AREAS OF CURRENT SCIENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Image Segmentation, Advances Neuroscience , EEG / EGI, Architecture, viruses, nanotechnology, nanotubes, carbon fiber ultra-light advancements, greenhouses, sustainability, urban gardening, hydroponics, fish farms, symmetry, analysis, plasma and fusion research, statistical shape influence, stock and financial analysis, forecasting, trajectory generation, leadership, models, enterprise models, process modeling, project management, crystallography, organic chemistry, DNA and proteins, etc.
And my favorite:Diffeomorphomerty: geodesic positioning systems for human anatomy!
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
HOW THE PROCESS REVEALED STEM
The Technology of Building a Houseboat
- Buoyancy (just one concept)
- Fasteners / Hardware / Joinery
- Materials: wood vs. metal vs. plastic
- Water protection / resistance / resilience
- Ventilation / heating / cooling / air flow
- Elasticity / rigidity
- Requirements planning and applications development
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
HOW THE PROCESS REVEALED STEM
The Technology of Building a Houseboat
- Buoyancy A one gallon containerHolds 8 lbs. of water … or
A gallon of water displaces8 lbs. of water
How much buoyancy do we need?
How many containers?
How many people can we hold?
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
HOW THE PROCESS REVEALED STEM
The Technology of Building a Houseboat
- Buoyancy If we have 8 guests in totaland each one weighs 180 lbs. that’s a load of1,440 lbs. Add that to the weight of the boat of 1,000 lbs. and you have 2,440 lbs. If you have 27 gallon containers,you will need 12 containers tobarely float while unstable.
If we triple the number ofcontainers, then just one third of their volume will be submerged and two thirds will be above the water, providing stability.
Yea!
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
HOW THE PROCESS REVEALED STEM
The Technology & Engineering of Building a Houseboat
Buoyancy is just one of dozens of Technological principles or phenomenon that can be explored as a result of designing or building or testing a geodesic houseboat.
Others include: weather, hydrodynamics, ergonomics (relationship between man and machine), freeboard (the effect of wind as a function of height), currents, waves, pollution, sustainability, design, development, history,
industrial heritage, biography, architecture and art.
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
HOW THE PROCESS REVEALED STEM
The Mathematics of Building a Houseboat
Mathematical principles and phenomenon (in trigonometry, algebra and abstraction, geometry and shapes that could be explored in conjunction with building a geodesic houseboat could include:
Fractions and decimals, addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, Pi – the circle constant, the golden ratio, the equation, Pythagorean theorem, three- dimensional solids and the five platonic solids, etc.
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
HOW THIS CAN MAKE STEM EDUCATION MORE FUN AND MEANINGFUL
Which would you rather do:
A) Go to a classroom and learn about science, technology or math from an old guy who stares at the board and has no interpersonal skills or vested interest in your education or career or….
B) Gather with a bunch or friends and find a quiet place, ENVISION A NEW KIND OF WIDGET, sketch it out, discuss the pros and cons of shape, type, style, size and weight.
Find a place with all kinds of new tools and equipment and MAKE SOMETHING WITH YOUR OWN HANDS learn about process and quality and workmanship and budget.
Head out and test what you fabricated and assembled, together and see it your assumptions and data and analysis led to an effective solution
(and in the doing, learn all about
math, science, technology , engineering and art)
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
NEW SOLUTIONS REVEALED
Information Technology
data (information), technology (hardware) and apps (software)
3D Organizational Representation
Interdependent Org Charts
Location Models
Goal Models
Process Models
Technology models
Data models
Enterprise Architecture
connecting strategy with people, process, data, technology and apps
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
Wellness model
THE GEODESIC ENTERPRISE ARCHITECTUREAny family, team, organization, NFP, business or community is
an enterprise – even the human body is an enterprise.
Architecture is the framework that connects all the key components to assure it’s stability, capability and function.
A Geodesic Enterprise Architecture (GEA) (registered trademark) leverages the principles and mechanics of the dome to connect each person, team, organization and community within the enterprise to allow for more efficient (great circle) connection, leading to a more agile, more effective performance, outcomes and results.
Example: 9/11 Catastrophe
The magnitude of the event would have been minimized (and arguably prevented) if the role-players and the decision-makers were interconnected in a more efficient manner, allowing for instantaneous reaction to initial events and more effective delivery of information and action.
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
KeyProcesses
KeyProcesses
Planning Development Deployment Satisfaction Results
Processes arethe series ofactivities bywhich capabilities areachieved.
Everything wedo is a process.If every step ofthe processworks, we achieve capability.
Capabilities
A GEODESIC ENTERPRISE ARCHITECTURAL MODEL
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
HOW A GEODESIC ENTERPRISE CAN HELP YOU
How more effective would your contribution be as an educator if youWere part of an interconnected state-wide or national or global architecture?
What if you could reach out to any educator or administrator in any field in any Location to get the information you needed, real time or that same day?
What if you could access a network of like-minded professionals who hadAlready overcome the hurdles you now face as you explore your initiatives?
What if best practices were available to you, regardless of who you knewOr how well you were “connected” in the areas you seek to gain knowledge in?
How much quicker would your initiatives achieve results and how much more effective could they be if you were a participant in such an interconnected enterprise framework?
NOTE: BETA TESTING COMMUNITIES ARE BEING SOUGHT!
Every participant becomes only oneUnit of distance away from any other participant!
ACHIEVING A GLOBAL STEM GEODESIC ARCHITECTURE BY 2024!
A studentat ECC, Buffalo
An HIV Clinic in Rhodesia
A STEM boat-buildingSchool in New Zealand
A Grant-writingGURU in London
The internet is great, but how do you cutThrough the way the internet “interprets” Your request / search vs. what or who you need NOW?The Geodesic Enterprise Architecture connect youLike never before!
THE GEODESIC ARCHITECTURE COMPONENTS
n connectionsaway from each andEvery participant!
you
meothers
A wrap-around, all-inclusive collectionOf all of our personal rolodex informationPresented in a holistic, interconnectedModel that allows for quicker connection.
WHAT’S WILL YOUR ROLE BE IN THE GLOBAL STEM GEODESIC ENTERPRISE ARCHITECTURE SYSTEM?
• Leadership• Strategic• Planning• Development• Operation• Maintenance• Quality Assurance• Customer
• Partner• Workforce• Results / Outcomes• Metrics /
Performance• Promotion /
Endorsement• Improvement
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
CONCLUSIONS AND LESSONS LEARNED
WHAT I WANTED
In inexpensive waterfront get-away where we could enjoy the shore, nature and the opportunity to affordable pass the time and relax
WHAT I GOT
It was revealed to me the beauty, simplicity and elegance that the universe can provide in the form of two simple types of triangles and how they lead to not only pentagons and hexagons, boats and vessels, but an opening to a brand new conversation – about interconnection, frameworks and how they are all necessary to transform the world we have to the world we seek.
After thirty years as an engineer. It surprisingly changed my view of the world and how the things in it are related to each other.
It brought me to STEM and encouraged me to form the WNY Chapter!
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
FROM BOAT TO BOOKThe boat was a spectacle:
“Now, That is definitely
Something!:
Perhaps best capturing the wonder, the befuddlement, the joyfulness and the grin that the boat evoked. We invited folks aboard from all around the world, from Cheektowaga to New Zealand. We talked about life, boats, Bucky and Buffalo.
It all inspired the book, Building a New and Useful Buffalo. It offers a new geodesic-inspired perspective and model for interconnecting our “silos of success” our mutually exclusive wonderful aspects of WNY and how connecting them in a simple, holistic framework can accelerate our cultural transformation.
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
WHAT STEM IS REALLY ALL ABOUT
Exploring the world of science, technology engineering, math and art gives us the context to develop our real self, to find our purpose.
The real value of STE(A)M is learning how to think, being creative and solving problems, learning respect for each other and building self esteem and confidence to equip the user with the ability to do, well… anything!
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
WHAT’S NEXT?
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
WHAT ARE YOUR DREAMS?
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Thank You!
Copyright – Michael R Weekes - 2014
Michael R Weekes, BSIE, Lean Six Sigma
Co-founder, WNY STEM Hub
Buffalo, NY
(716) 517-7957