The shoes project was the first major project in this class. Each student was assigned to create shoes out of purely synthetic materials, using a minimum of four different materials. We were given a little over a month to make the shoes, although some shoes unexpectedly appeared overnight on the day they were due. On that day, the shoes were worn throughout the school day, (an optional activity for bonus credit) and on a quarter-mile hike on assorted terrain around the track and parking lots. This year was a little more interesting than usual however, some classes had to take the "walk" in around 8 inches of snow! Mr. Curran also had, at his disposal, a much larger area here at the new Blair to use to make the track as grueling and unforgiving as he could. If the shoe survived, the student got an "A". If it died along the way, not such a nice grade was awarded. Various designs, looks, and styles were used for this project, and pictures of the shoes are linked below.

Shoe photos from 2000, Period 2 and some random behind-the-scene photos

Pictures from the 1998-9 school year:
Alex Berengaut, Chris Li, and Will Tung
Everyone in Period 2
Another Class Shot of Period 2
Max Massa and David Grunberger
Jeff Israel, Elgen Strait, Marc Ericson
Jason Ott, Erin Piateski, and Mitch Ly
Unknowns from Period 3
Some More Unknowns from Period 3
Epson Chiang, Mark Lunquist, Adam Vela, and Julia Buergler
Everyone in Period 3

Pictures from the 1997-8 school year:
Jenna Khan, Niels Hoven, Jenny Hong, and David Ma
???, Sarita Kishore, and ???
Lily Raff, George Telis, and Nick Hill
Gary Yang and Eric Chiu
Susan Beatty, Eric Dauler, and Andy Mu
John Kaneshige, Stephen Karafiath, and Andrew Waterman
The post-walk remains of An Nguyen and Susan Beatty's

And finally, for those of you at home, we have the do-it yourself shoe kit. (Some assembly is required)

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Student Objectives for the Synthetic Shoe Project:

• To develop an understanding of the engineering process.
  
• To obtain diverse information concerning many synthetic materials.
  

Student Activities:

Students will:
• Research a variety of synthetic materials
  
• Develop a list of materials for testing
  
• Pretest student selected materials for suitability
  
• Design and build two products which can be worn on the students' feet
  
• Wear these products on the testing day as the class moves through the predetermined walking course (eevn if there is 8 inches of snow on the ground
  

Classroom Organization:

• Students will work independently to solve this problem.
  

Resources:

• Media Center
  
• Computer Lab
  
• Research and Experimentation Lab
  

Other Requirements:

• At least 4 different sythentic materials must be used
  
• No more than $25 must be spent on materials
  

Evaluation:

• Students will make observations as the test walk occurs.
  
• Mile posts will be established along the course.
  
• Students will give an oral summation of how effective their products were.
  
• Products will be student evaluationed and teacher evaluated for form, function, and design.
  

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