Discussion Board

1. The problem in Mark Rober’s video is that the squirrel kept stealing the bird food by outsmarting the typical bird feeders. He took this as an engineering challenge and made a bird feeder to feed the birds and making sure the squirrel’s can’t steal it. His build involved using many things such as weight sensors that triggered when it detected the squirrels weight. It had an obstacle course elements by adding barriers that the birds could navigate but the squirrels couldn’t. It also exploited the behavior of the squirrels. In the end the design some what worked, the squirrels still got the bird food in the end.
2. Mark Rober’s idea was really creative and I probably wouldn’t thought of that idea. Instead I would probably use other means. Such as using non-harmful repellents, such as food birds liked and squirrels hated. A smart feeder that uses sqirrels behaviors and adjust its methods to feeding. Or a passive design, like a bird feeder that locks up with to much weight on it. In the end Mark Rober’s idea was great, it doesn’t choose efficiency but it is entertaining and educational.
3. Mark Rober’s Squirrel Maze video aligns closely with our Engineering Proposal assignment because it models the core requirements we need to address. First, he identifies a problem with a localized scope, just as our proposal must target a micro-scale engineering challenge. He also considers real world constraints such as cost, animal behavior, durability, which we must also account for in our solution’s feasibility. Since our project is group based, his workflow highlights the importance of clear roles, a Gantt chart, and accountability in teamwork. His project proves that creativity is need in problem solving, a mindset we should have in our group work.