Capstone Project

As I continue to progress, the purpose in personal growth of committing to a capstone project has become more apparent, in contrast to the view that the end product was truly the end product. My capstone project began on a concept of a tuner, a device which varied countless and has had centuries of perfection. In order to create a unique product which fulfilled the criteria, I was forced to innovate and incorporate new elements. Another skill for which I've developed is planning. For most independent projects, setting aside a plan to execute is critical before actual work can go in. When one goes shopping for materials, it would be unfortunate to have to make multiple trips due to insufficient materials, but also to have spent way too much extra. Carefully planning out what the design will require is definitely the strategy to take.

  So far, my Capstone Project has taught me many quintessential lessons and struck me with difficult questions. On one-side, the case of an independent workload forces you to take responsibility in time management and diligence. But the application of a subject of interest in the real world may reveal to you of challenges and questions previously unseen. Is this really the path of career I want to choose? Is this process really the 'right one'? Doing this Capstone has opened my eyes to the previously tossed-aside possibilities. I was so committed to maths and physics due to various influences, that I never bothered with the humanities and social sciences.   While this realization is scary, it is also an opportunity. Through this project I may be able to identify myself in the way that I can faithfully commit to STEM major in college and career. Or it would allow me to find my way in other fields that suit me better.

  So far, I have learned more about the intricacies of resonance based instruments. It was far from the simplicity of merely looping it in with an equation that I had imagined it would be. Nonetheless the concept is still sound and definitely doable.   I have taken the break and much of this week to arrive at a more flushed out design. I want to have my final 'blueprint' before I go shopping for materials. The new idea now is that on the side of the piping would be a small lever system that would swing a small rubber mallet onto the side of the tube. The triggering mechanism would have a spring and an axis involved, which results in a more simple operating experience instead of the manual 'striking' with the rubber mallets. This further cements the idea that the creation is to be a tuner tool rather than an instrument to be played.   Short-term goals are finishing my design, getting materials, and starting my build.