In this experiment, I focused on organizing and outlining everything in order to organize and assign different works and areas involving the screw for my teammates to focus on researching, and I also researched, prepared and did most of the experiments.
Since when we have been assigned to the topic of the simple machine Screw, we almost knew nothing about it as the teacher barely touched upon the subject except for one or two times when explaining the 6 simple machines, so we had to do extensive background research in order to familiarize with the subject. We first started researching by following the outline of the requirements of the project, such as research on how the mechanical advantage is calculated, how screws are parts of our lives and how screws are made out of different simple machines. I was able to create certain categories for each of my crew members to focus on, such as how the screw is made out of different simple machines (assigned to Lina), examples of screws in real life (assigned to Morgan), history and functions of screws (assigned to Cindy). Through these basic background research, we were able to create and write a setup/ introduction to the subject of Screw that would eventually lead up to the experiment.
Besides assigning and organizing different sections for my other crewmembers, I assigned myself the job of designing and executing the experiment that would have to eventually relate to how work change or doesn’t change. The entire process for me was:
1. Design an experiment(s) {Writing the introduction to it, creating question and hypothesis, create safety rules and label materials, write procedures}
2. Gather the Materials
3. Execute the experiment
4. Gather the data
5. Calculate the data & turn them into graphs
6. Repeat for both experiments
After I finished writing/planning/executing/recording all that, our group had 1 last thing to do, which was to move and add everything from the document into the presentation. I made sure everyone added their information into the presentation then told them how they could improve the slides by enlarging the words, simplifying sentences and to make the presentation more stylish and ‘attractive’ so it doesn’t immediately bore the audience the moment they see the slides. Some of my crewmates also helped me to put some of the simpler information about the experiment into the slides so I can focus on the more complicated slides, such as the analysis or the hypothesis in depth. Those were pretty much my responsibilities for the presentation preparations.

The hardest part was designing and executing the experiment, which I assigned to myself so others can focus a lot more on the other research. I tried to gain inspiration for the experiment by reading some of the researches online and from my partners, yet I still struggled to figure out an experiment. The ‘suggestions’ from the teacher never helped us to actually think of ways to create an experiment about the screw that could relate to how work is done, so I decided to ask one of my science teachers from another school. The science teacher helped a lot as he helped me understand how simple machines are actually part of the screw better, and provided several ideas that actually related to the topic. After narrowing down the ideas, I decided to do 2 separate experiments that would eventually validate 2 things: how the work is the same even though the amount of force changes when applied to the screw and how other simple machines actually integrates into the screw. With the help of my father (who gathered materials and worked on the experiment with me), I was able to design and properly execute the experiment with success.

I think one of the things I enjoyed the most about the project was designing the experiment since this is where I really was able to be more creative and think of how I can apply the things I knew about the screw and apply it into an experiment. It’s because of how I am allowed to be more creative that made the designing of the experiment more enjoyable. After writing up to 10 pages of the lab report and executing the lab report, it became the part I was the proudest of.

I think I would be able to remember how the screw functions long after this project has ended, as the extensive background research into screws allowed me to have a comprehensive understanding on the concept of the screw. The experiments also helped me memorize how screws work and how it makes the amount of force easier even though the total amount of work, in the end, is the same.