Research Plan Attachment (screenshot)

Form 1A Research Plan Attachment: Engineering

Team Leader Avinaash Dholakia

Team Member(s) N/A

Title of Project Improving the common crank pencil sharpener

Rationale

Of the approximately 6.5 million classrooms in America (source 1), there is one feature
common to most of them - the flawed crank pencil sharpener. Crank pencil sharpeners
deplete natural resources (wood (source 2) and graphite) due to inefficient (over or under)
sharpening of pencils because they have no mechanism to stop the sharpening process once
the pencil lead is sufficient.

This work will enable the economically viable improvement to all crank sharpeners.

Engineering Goal(s)

Must have a measurable component. Also, provide a description of how it is based on your
rationale described above.

The goal of my project is to improve the crank pencil sharpener design by implementing a
stopping mechanism in order to decrease the depletion of natural resources. A successful
solution would consist of:
1. Defining an ideal pencil lead length
2. Designing a solution that constantly provides this ideal length.

PROOF OF CONCEPT
Independent Variable

My independent variable will be the stopping mechanism used to prevent the

over-sharpening of pencils. The two potential designs are:
1. Mold-based stopper- A manufactured plastic piece that sits at the end of the
sharpener canal
2. Spring-based stopper- A custom-made spring platform device that provides the
 correct degree of sharpening.

Each design will be tested in 25 trials.

Dependent Variable

The dependent variable will be the number of successful sharpening trials achieved by each
solution. The definition of a successful trial is defined as an exposed lead that’s length is
equal to the defined ideal length and will be measured numerically.

Controlled Variables/Constants

● Type of crank pencil sharpener (X-acto ranger)

● Brand of pencil (Dixon Ticonderoga)
● Ideal lead length - Defined by the average lead length of 10 pre-sharpened
Ticonderoga pencils.

Materials List

● X-ACTO Ranger 1031 ($7.39 X 3)

(https://www.amazon.com/X-ACTO-Ranger-1031-Manual-Sharpener/)
● Dixon Ticonderoga 96ct ($12.74)
(https://www.amazon.com/Product-Ticonderoga-Wood)
● Dixon Ticonderoga pre-sharpened pencils
● 3D printer and filament

Procedures

Detailed procedures and experimental design for proof of concept. This should also include
methods for data collection regarding how your device will be tested AND photo-documented.
This should be a numbered list, like you would have for a lab, specific enough for someone
unfamiliar with your experiment to follow. Be sure to include the number of trials you will have
(inadequate number of trials will negatively impact your score). *Any deviations from these
procedures must be reflected in a project summary to be added to this original research plan
after the fact.

To define the ideal pencil sharpener lad length

1. Measure the lengths of ten pre-sharpened Ticonderoga pencil leads

2. Determine the average length in mm
Mold-based stopper testing

Place the stopper inside the crank sharper canal and perform 25 trials of sharpening
recording the number of successful trials.

The definition of a successful trial is defined as an exposed lead that’s length is

 equal to the defined ideal length and will be measured numerically.
Spring Based Stopper

Place the platform within the sharper canal and perform 25 trials recording and the
number of successful trials.

The definition of a successful trial is defined as an exposed lead that’s length is equal
to the defined ideal length and will be measured numerically.
Spring Based Stopper

1. To build the mold-based stopper measure the canal dimension of the crank sharpener,
then design a CAD model of the canal.
2. Fill in the tip of the canal (3mm high) and print this piece
3. Place the stopper inside the crank sharper canal and perform 24 trials of sharpening
recording the number of successful trials.
4. To construct the spring-based solution, attach a .1mm spring to a 1mx1mx.2 mm 3d
printed platform.
5. Place the platform within the sharper canal and perform 25 trials recording and the
number of successful trials.

Trial Procedures
1. To being a trial ensure that solution being tested is placed into the
sharpener canal
2. Clear the sharper of any debris
3. 3. Crank the sharper arm until each solution is visible (mold-based-
pencil lead touches the mold. Sporing Based- Pencil lead visible
through the constructed eyepiece). DO NOT STOP SHARING BASED
ON HUMAN ASSUMPTION
4. Record whether the trial was successful (2mm exposed lead)
5. Record lead length

Risk and Safety

Pencil sharpener blades pose a risk of cuts- have a first aid kit on hand and be sensible.

Sample Data Table

Include a sample data table (with no actual data yet, obviously). It should reflect specific,
accurate row and column headings with appropriate SI units.
Determining the ideal lead length
Trial # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Lead
Lengt
h

Solution Number of successful trials Number of unsuccessful trials

(out of 25) (out of 25)

Mold Based Stopper

Spring Based

Trial# 1 2 3 4 ...

Ideal Length x x x x x
(mm)

Mold Based
Stopper

Spring
Based

Graph Description

Describe the type of graph(s) you will create from your data. Scatter plot, line, multi-line, bar,
etc. Will you determine a line of best fit? Error bars? What will the x and y axes be labeled,
including units? *Remember, your IV should go on the x axis and DV on the y axis. Be as
specific as possible. If a graph is not applicable, explain why not.

Three graphs will be made

● Graph 1 will be a bar graph that displays the number of successful trials (out of 25) for
each solution
● Graph 2 will be a line graph that displays the lead length of the mold-based stopper
trials. A line of best fit will be used to portray the average lead length
● Graph 3 will be a line graph that displays the lead length of the spring-based stopper
trials. A line of best fit will be used to portray the average lead length

Analysis of Results

Describe the procedures you will use to analyze the data/results. (This is not the same as
data collection. What will you DO with the data collected? What types of statistics? ie-
chi-square, t-test, ANOVA, etc.)

All data sets will be run through the chi-square to determine if the data represent any
statically significant trends. The lack of a trend will disregard the comparison while a
statistical trend will be used to explain the results.

Bibliography
(1)Fast Facts: Educational institutions (84). National Center for
Education Statistics. Retrieved October 23, 2021, from
nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=84

(2)PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF THE WOOD Pinus caribaea var.

caribaea, Pinus caribaea... Retrieved September 26, 2021, from
https://content.ebscohost.com/ContentServer.asp?T=P&P=AN&K=150
174072&S=R&D=a9h&EbscoContent=dGJyMNHr7ESeqLQ40dvuOLC
msEmep7NSr664SLOWxWXS&ContentCustomer=dGJyMPHd9YG54
9%2BB7LHjgO3p8gAA

BETA 1*
Independent Variable

Must include the different conditions of the IV (ie- if temp is your IV, then what temps will you
be using?), how the IV is measured, and appropriate units.

Dependent Variable

Must include the method used to measure the DV, along with appropriate SI units.

Controlled Variables/Constants

Complete a list of variables that will remain constant between groups.

Materials List

● This bulleted list should contain specific materials, including quantities (in SI units),
where you will get each item, and any cost incurred.

Procedures

1. Detailed procedures to test Beta 1. This should be a numbered list, like you would
 have for a lab, specific enough for someone unfamiliar with your experiment to follow.
Be sure to include the number of trials you will have (inadequate number of trials will
negatively impact your score). *Any deviations from these procedures must be
reflected in a project summary to be added to this original research plan after the fact.

* These will be developed throughout the project.

BETA 2*
Independent Variable

Must include the different conditions of the IV (ie- if temp is your IV, then what temps will you
be using?), how the IV is measured, and appropriate units.

Dependent Variable

Must include the method used to measure the DV, along with appropriate SI units.

Controlled Variables/Constants

Complete a list of variables that will remain constant between groups.

Materials List

● This bulleted list should contain specific materials, including quantities (in SI units),
where you will get each item, and any cost incurred.

Procedures

2. Detailed procedures to test Beta 2. This should be a numbered list, like you would
have for a lab, specific enough for someone unfamiliar with your experiment to follow.
Be sure to include the number of trials you will have (inadequate number of trials will
negatively impact your score). *Any deviations from these procedures must be
reflected in a project summary to be added to this original research plan after the fact.

*These will be developed throughout the project.

Human Participants
Does your project involve Human Subjects? This includes having people test out a device you
build or answer questions about a device you build. If not, delete this entire section and move
on to the next. If yes, you must complete this section.
a. Participants Describe age range, gender, racial/ethnic composition of participants.
Identify vulnerable populations (minors, pregnant women, prisoners,
mentally disabled or economically disadvantaged).

b. Recruitment Where will you find your participants? How will they be invited to
participate?

c. Methods What will participants be asked to do? Will you use any surveys,
questionnaires or tests? If yes and not your own, how did you obtain?
Did it require permissions? If so, explain. What is the frequency and
length of time involved for each subject?

d. Risk What are the risks or potential discomforts (physical, psychological,

Assessment time involved, social, legal, etc.) to participants? How will you minimize
risks? List any benefits to society or participants.

e. Protection of Will identifiable information (e.g., names, telephone numbers, birth

Privacy dates, email addresses) be collected? Will data be
confidential/anonymous? If anonymous, describe how the data will be
collected. If not anonymous, what procedures are in place for
safeguarding confidentiality? Where will data be stored? Who will have
access to the data? What will you do with the data after the study?

f. Informed Describe how you will inform participants about the purpose of the
Consent Process study, what they will be asked to do, that their participation is voluntary
and they have the right to stop at any time.

Vertebrate animal research

This section is required for projects involving invertebrates. Otherwise, delete this section and
move on to the next.

a. Discuss potential ALTERNATIVES to vertebrate animal use and present justification for
use of vertebrates.

b. Explain potential impact or contribution of this research.

c. Detail all procedures to be used, including methods used to minimize potential

discomfort, distress, pain and injury to the animals and detailed chemical concentrations
and drug dosages.

d. Detail animal numbers, species, strain, sex, age, source, etc., include justification of the
numbers planned.

e. Describe housing and oversight of daily care.

f. Discuss disposition of the animals at the end of the study.

 Potentially hazardous biological agents research
This section is required for projects involving potentially hazardous biological agents.
Otherwise, delete this entire section and move on to the next.

a. Give source of the organism and describe BSL assessment process and BSL
determination.

b. Detail safety precautions and discuss methods of disposal.

Hazardous chemicals, activities & devices

This section is required for projects involving hazardous chemicals, activities, or devices.
Otherwise, delete this entire section and you are finished!

Risk Assessment Process Describe the risk assessment process (see Form 3)

Supervision Who will supervise your experimentation and what qualifies

them to do so?

Safety Precautions What safety precautions will be taken in using the hazardous
material?

Methods of disposal If hazardous chemicals are used, how will they be disposed
of? Consult MSDS.