Grit... that just sounds gross, doesn't it.

Perseverance and continued passion for goals seem to be as important to the achievement of long term success as talent (as measured by grades/test scores). This is an important realization for us as aspiring technical leaders.

So how can we tell where we stand with these qualities of perserverance and long term passion for goals (or in other words, "Grit")?

Angela Duckworth from the University of Pennsylvania has developed a "Grit Scale"to help gain insight on these qualities.

Please complete the following:
• 1) Use a sheet of paper to record your answers to the questions on the Grit Scale (find below).
• 2) Obtain a copy of the evaluation key and evaluate your responses. Annotate your paper with a value for each of your answers. Calculate the average scores as specified for each of the five areas: Grit, Consistency of Interest, Perseverance of Effort, Brief Grit Scale and Ambition.
• 3) Self generate feedback (+, change, ? and !) regarding the test. Specifically: Identify an area where you're strong (+), identify an area where you could improve (change), identify ideas on how you might improve in that area (!) and list a question that you have for yourself (?).
• 4) Turn in your self evaluation when complete. Your score is based on your ability to complete step 2 (average scores) and step 3 (self generate feedback).


Grit Scale
Directions for taking the Grit Scale: Please respond to the following 17 items. Be honest – there are no right or wrong answers!

1. I aim to be the best in the world at what I do.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

2. I have overcome setbacks to conquer an important challenge.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

3. New ideas and projects sometimes distract me from previous ones.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

4. I am ambitious.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

5. My interests change from year to year.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

6. Setbacks don’t discourage me.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

7. I have been obsessed with a certain idea or project for a short time but later lost interest.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

8. I am a hard worker.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

9. I often set a goal but later choose to pursue a different one.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

10. I have difficulty maintaining my focus on projects that take more than a few months to complete.
Very much like me!!!!
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

11. I finish whatever I begin.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

12. Achieving something of lasting importance is the highest goal in life.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

13. I think achievement is overrated.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

14. I have achieved a goal that took years of work.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

15. I am driven to succeed.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

16. I become interested in new pursuits every few months.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

17. I am diligent.
Very much like me
Mostly like me
Somewhat like me
Not much like me
Not like me at all

In the Event of Me Destroying the World...

Emergency Preparedness Supply List

---

Define the problem- (what sort of emergency situations might you + your family need supplies for?)
Brainstorm Ideas
Generate Solution
Solicit Feedback (positive, changes, questions, ideas)
Refine Solution- cite specific changes based on feedback

---

Problems:
1. earthquakes
2. fires
3. tsunami

4. zombie apocalypse

Ideas:

1. Earthquakes
1. Sustainable light source(s)
2. Whistles (for location)
3. Food rations
4. Convenient carrying case
5. Easily worn protective gear (primarily helmet)
6. 2-way frequency radio/walkie talkie
7. Steel/hard plastic transparent water bottles
8. Matches
9. Swiss army knife
10. Rope
11. Warm clothes that can also breathe
12. Flint/firesteel
13. Hand wipes
14. Bandages
15. Compass
16. Reflective surfaces
17. Antibiotic ointment
18. Aspirin
19. DUCT TAPE
20. Knife
21. Waterproofed
22. Sturdy shoes w/ good grip
23. Identification papers
24. Money
25. Small waterproof tarp
26. Blanket and/or towel
27. Flares
28. Mallet/hammer
29. Salt
30. Basic toiletries

2. Tsunamis
1. Inflatable raft
2. Radio
3. See earthquakes
4. Trash bags
5. Paddles
6. Water purifier (tablets or filter)
7. Sun screen
8. Sun blocking hat

3. Fires
1. Flame retardant cloth
2. Mouth filters
3. Aloe vera and basic burn treatment items
4. Foldable shovel (dig fire trenches)
5. Machete (for cutting small brush)
6. Fire extinguisher
7. See earthquakes

4. Zombie Apocalypse
a. first aid kits
b. ranged weaponry
c. contact radios
d. machete

e. water
f. ammo
g. shovel

Solutions/Feedback:

+ : Very thorough

-: Space consuming

Idea: compact case for all the items?

thoughts: is everything truly necessary?

Mousetrap Racecar

PROPOSED CHALLENGE: build a self-powered race-car using the provided materials and ingenuity in order to achieve the maximum number of achievements.

• RESTRICTIONS: Your building supplies are limited to the items listed, in the quantity listed. You may use the following supplies and other basic items needed:

One mousetrapNo more than 12" of masking tape
Fischertechnique robotics parts
No more than 24" of string
You must work through the stages of the event (see Achievements below)
Additional materials by Instructor approval

SOLUTION: we built the car and tested it as mandated.

Achievements: We earned the following achievements for various reasons.

• "Brainiac" - Brainstorm solutions for your design. Generate a list of at least 10 ideas/concepts. We came up with a large number of ideas for the design; they included:

1. Use of 4, 3, or alternate number of wheels
2. Primary objective: go forward quickly
   Using lever arm for more distance vs using no lever arm for more force
3. Location of wheels on car
4. Size of wheels
5. use of treads
6. locking the mousetrap into place on the body of the car
7. use of string
8. use of tape
9. primary location of mechanical advantage/possible uses of pulleys
10. "Visualize It!" - Create a sketch of a design and label key features. We drew up a model design before building.

1. 

• "Build It" - Build your design. Document it with a photo. We built the car and the documenting photos can be found under the SOLUTION heading.
• "The Price of Glory" - If each part you use costs $1, generate a total cost for your build (This info will be used to generate "cost" data to add a pricing element to the game next year) The total cost came out to X. It was divided as follows:

1. Wheels: cost = 3 parts each. 4(# of wheels) x 3(cost per wheel) = 12.
2. Rear wheel extensions= 6.
3. Rods = 4.
4. Wheel bindings = 8.
5. Body components = 2.
6. Total cost = 12 + 6 + 4 + 8 + 2 = 32.

• "Competitor" - Compete in the 2nd Annual Mousetrap Racecar Challenge.Automatically achieved upon entrance.
  
• "Feedback" - Collect feedback (at least one each of +, change, ? and !) from yourself or your classmates. We worked to find what we could change and discovered the following:

1. Good design, use of materials.
2. more open in design
3. Why so much tape? Is there a better way of attaching the mast to the trap?
4. try running it backwards or with different wheel sizes.

• "Re-work" - Change your build based on your experience with the race/feedback you collected. Document any changes. We replaced the wheels with ones that did not have treads due to the surface of the floor causing a lack of friction, and added extenders to the back wheels to increase the angle of the string, thereby increasing mechanical advantage exerted upon the wheel by the string. We also bound the string at the top of the mast with bindings so it would stay in the same place, wrapped tape around the location where the string was tied to the back wheel to prevent slipping of the string on the metal, and changed the distance the wheels were from the car.
• "Game Changer" - Develop a new rule or change to the game that you feel would make the event better. Explain your concept.The new rule is called the Wheel Challenge. The challenge is that the competitor must use the most minimal amount of wheels they can use, while still including all the necessary parts for forward movement. This challenge requires the builder to consider the weight and force distribution of their car, and also promotes ingenuity in design and structure.
• "Name it" - Invent a name for an achievement that you think is better than what we have currently. I think that we should replace the "led foot" achievement with the "lead foot" achievement, as it does not make sense otherwise.
• "Leave It Cleaner Than You Found It" - Did you leave your workspace cleaner than you found it? Explain. We made sure to clear out our workspace every day, and focused on making sure there was no mess left over.
• "Design/Build" - What is a "Design/Build" process? How did your experience with this challenge relate to that? Why might you experience this in a career related to technical innovation. The design and build project is a process where you design and then build an object, and then improve upon it. This challenge required us to create an initial design and build it, then design and make improvements to the car in order to increase the specified qualities of the car's movement. This is important in technology fields because developers must constantly be changing their programs and software to maximize the efficiency and output from the programs for the users.

My first blog post

Hello puny earthling scum! I am Daniel.

I enjoy playing video games. A lot. I spend most of my time following this pursuit. My favorite platform is Steam and I also enjoy playing League of Legends.

http://store.steampowered.com/

I play sports and music too, but I am a serious gamer at heart.

Label.

I like

stuff: videogames, reading, watching TV, hanging out with friends, learning, doing research, studying interesting stuff, playing music, playing games, and other things too!

<<<< By the way, this is the best game ever. EVER. EVER!!!