Advice?I'

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Advice?

I'm in an online class about ancient technology. Our final project is to build a piece of ancient technology and present it next week. Two of the people have done very extensive digital models of Pompeii and Rome, and the teacher even used them in class as an example because they were already completed. One of them even included 3D scanning and the model was originally built with plastic. 

I, on the other hand, do not have that big of a resource pool, and I struggled just to find a cardboard box for a pulley project. I'm thinking of doing a waterwheel now. My teacher did say that if I have a simple project, I can still get credit for research, and my mum is saying that because that's my strength, I can outdo the other projects.

The problem is, the research was already extensive in the complex projects and the teacher used them to demonstrate a point. My waterwheel will never be used to teach anything. I just feel left out and jealous that they have so many resources.

I don't know, I was just ranting.

submitted by Sinusoidal
(December 10, 2024 - 2:06 pm)

back to the Down to Earth

okay, first of all, this sounds like a super cool class and project! and, knowing you, i'm sure whatever you come up with will be awesome.

that does sound really frustrating and unfair, though, but just because you don't have access to the resources they do doesn't mean your project isn't going to be as good! even a simple model can be used to teach something as long as it's historically accurate - and it certainly seems like you've been putting a lot of effort into the research!

take it from someone who once built an award-winning viking ship out of cardboard and rode it down the side of a mountain - cardboard, duct table, glue, and paint can go a long way, and they're also pretty easy to work with as long as you know what you're doing! a lot of the time, you can get free cardboard boxes at stores. popsicle sticks are also easy to come by and seem like they might work for a waterwheel? you can also look up tips for working with cardboard/other cheap and easy to find materials. for instance, cosplayers constantly make super cool, authentic-looking costumes and props on a budget--even though you're doing this for an academic project, it could still provide some inspiration!

that's all i have right now, but let me know if you need any more advice :D hope this helped at least a little bit :) also, if you're willing to share, i'd love to see the final product!! it sounds really cool. good luck :D 

submitted by pangolin, age she/they, Outskirts of the Galaxy
(December 10, 2024 - 5:07 pm)

First, I didn't know you built a viking ship out of cardboard! That's awesome.

Second, I know that a simple model can be used to teach concepts, but that doesn't mean it will be used; while your Viking project was cool and I agree with you, I'm afraid the other projects, because they were more complicated, might seem more impressive to the teacher, especially given they were used by the teacher to teach; it just makes me a little jealous or envious that they have such the resources to do so, and I know it is irrational, but I'm kinda afraid my teacher is going to grade on a curve and give me a bad grade because the other models were so impressive.

submitted by Sinusoidal
(December 10, 2024 - 8:32 pm)

thank you! but i totally get that - i would be frustrated and jealous, too; i don't think what you're feeling is irrational at all! i doubt your teacher will give you a worse grade just because you didn't have the same resources your classmates did - while i obviously don't know your teacher and what she's like, most teachers will probably take your situation into account, especially if you talk to her about your concerns, which it seems like you did. i'm sure whatever you manage to make will be pretty good, and she might be impressed that you were able to do it all without access to a 3d printer or those other resources! 

submitted by pangolin, age she/they, Outskirts of the Galaxy
(December 10, 2024 - 10:12 pm)

Seconding pangolin! I would also say that even if you don't get credit or good grades, at least you'll still have the satisfaction and enjoyment of doing the project. A waterwheel sounds cool, and if you enjoy making it, that's even better than getting recognition. Just do it for yourself, regardless of what other people will think! (Or if you want to do it for others, you could try building something that would benefit someone else...) Hope this helps! :)

submitted by Poinsettia, ever so many exclamations
(December 11, 2024 - 2:34 pm)