Bob and I went to the local hardware store where we bought 3/4" PVC pipe, emitters, irrigation hose, elbow joints, and other things that we needed to get the students started in the garden. The previous class they dug up the trenches where the pipe will be laid down. The students measured out the necessary length of the pipe sections they needed and will begin cutting the pipe next class. We are also going to get started on the platform for the gravity feed system. Everyone seems to be pretty pleased with the work, and it sure is nice to spend some class time in the fresh air!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Diggin' in the Dirt
Bob and I went to the local hardware store where we bought 3/4" PVC pipe, emitters, irrigation hose, elbow joints, and other things that we needed to get the students started in the garden. The previous class they dug up the trenches where the pipe will be laid down. The students measured out the necessary length of the pipe sections they needed and will begin cutting the pipe next class. We are also going to get started on the platform for the gravity feed system. Everyone seems to be pretty pleased with the work, and it sure is nice to spend some class time in the fresh air!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Student 3D Garden Plans Complete
The students in Bob's class (Principles of Engineering Design 2) have been creating 3D layouts of the garden. The example here shows the placement of the rain catchment barrels and the elevated staging barrel where we will most likely attach the plenum with valves for each watering "station". The students were able to use Google's SketchUp to quickly create their representations of the space. They picked it up really quickly, in part because of their experience with AutoCAD Inventor, but also because it is a very easy program to learn and video tutorials are free for download. Thanks Google!