Water Bubbles: Defining the Problem
For the beginning of our project, we needed to first define the problem we aimed to solve. We did this by creating a survey and making a list of dreams and wishes that we want to include in our product. Below I have attached both.
D&W List :
Personal Restrictions :
Personal Restrictions :
- Time allocated to project
- Work space - trying to use chemistry lab when available
- D- able to withstand being picked up without popping
- D- must be able to hold at least 20 ml of water
- D- be able to contain more than just water- added electrolytes, etc.
- D- packaging to keep water bubbles sanitary
- W- sturdy enough to transport long distance but able to be popped with nail or tooth to drink
- D- bubbles have a diameter of one inch
- D- bubble is one large circle/oval filled with water, not multiple little bubbles connected together
- D- must cost less than one dollar to produce each unit
- D- must cost less than $40 to produce enough batches to test, modify, and distribute
- D- water bubbles must be made in a clean environment
- D- must be distributed in a sanitary manner ie. safe packaging
- D- must list out all ingredients - make sure no one is allergic
- D- finish all assignments on time - hit deadlines
- D- must stay on track with gantt chart
- D- clean, sterile work space to make bubbles
- W- always be able to use chemistry lab to produce bubbles
- D- must be compostable
- W- cheap to buy all materials needed
- D- must not dissolve in hand
- D- Must be able to create a batch within one block period
- D- must be able to be manufactured in a chemistry lab / stem classroom using normal household items
- W- all extra materials (bowls, spoons, whisks, etc.) should be brought in advance
- D- when having test trials, all participants must sign a waiver releasing us of responsibility
- D- product must be up to food code standards
- D- must be produced sanitarily
- W- taste quality
- D- compostable package
- D- be able to be distributed on a campus
- D- will not pop while being transported
Initial Proposal
Reflection
This part of the project was really important. We needed to figure out what was necessary in our design, and we did this through a D&W List. A hard part of this step in the process was figuring out if some of our needs were even doable, and we changed these around a lot. The rest was not too bad and I would say that Caitlin and I worked well together as a team.