Journal Entry Week 1 Spring

     Currently I am still pleased with my project choice. I have just been able to get the physical parts that will comprise my trebuchet. This has sparked my interest greatly because now I will be able to begin construction. This means Instead of looking over and trying to find design plans I will be able to see what design will be possible with the materials in front of me.
     A few of the road blocks that lie in front of me currently are the perfect design plans for the trebuchet. I have a good knowledge of a broad spectrum of floating arm trebuchets but I still have not landed on the exact blue prints that I desire.
     I feel like maybe once or twice every two weeks we should have a single class be dedicated to 15% time projects instead of fragments of classes. This way I would feel more motivated to show up and be prepared to work on my project.

Journal Entry Week 9

     For my project I am constructing a floating arm trebuchet. This type of trebuchet is different from the regular trebuchets that have been popularized in today's culture. The floating arm trebuchet has a counter weight in the middle of the frame that propels the sling with an extra push that normal trebuchets don't normaly have. This makes the trebuchet much mor efficient than other models.
     The reason that I am creating the floating arm trebuchet is that I have always been fascinated by their design. I remember the first trebuchet that I had ever seen was in lord of the rings. I remember watching as the trebuchet was being launched in to the fleets of orcs surrounding the castle. When I found out that I had the opportunity to make something for 15%of my time in class I knew that I was going to build a trebuchet. I decided on the floating arm trebuchet because I had looked up many designs, but none looked as cool and efficient as the floating arm.
     Building the floating arm trebuchet will help me accomplish many things. For one this will be the first time I have ever built a trebuchet. Also building the trebuchet will help me refine my skills as a designer and builder. Building the trebuchet will make me disciplined in the respect of the respect of not giving up on something that is hard.

Journal Entry Week 8

     I have made significant progress in my project than I have in the previous week. This week I have decided that the materials going to be used to design the entire frame work of the trebuchet will be 2x4's. along with 2x4's I will need a large amount of screws, thin rope, and material to be used as a pouch for the item being launched. I have also allotted a time period to get all the necessary materials for the project. Over thanksgiving break I will make a Home Depot runs with my dad to gather the necessary items. Over Christmas break I also plan to make significant process in the assembly of the trebuchet so I will have the necessary parts to construct the trebuchet when I arrive at school.

Journal Entry Week 6

This week I have made one big decision/step for my project, I have decided to create a floating arm trebuchet instead of the conventional trebuchet. The floating arm trebuchet is more effective than the conventional trebuchet in the sense that it also adds a horizontal push to the end of the launch. I have done some research and decided that the best idea for the size of the trebuchet would be to build it to desktop size.
Some of the next steps I am going to need to do for the project is to figure out the detentions for the new design. I imagine the trebuchet being about around two feet long and two and a half feet tall.The materials  I will need for the project will be wood, nails, strong cloth, and a weighted object to suffice for the counter weight.

Journal Entry Week 4

     For my project I have decided that I am going to create a small trebuchet. This going to require some matirials such as wood clue and nails perhaps. This project is going to be though but I believe that I can do it on a smaller scale then the ones on the Internet. With some help from Mr. J I feel like I could accomplish this task well.
     I have been researching his topic and I have seen some pretty complicated trebuchet a, but I have also seen a few that say can be built in a few hours. I'm still trying to find a design process that will be fun and challenging but take up enough time for the entire year. I feel leek this a doable project and look forward to working on it in the future.