Finalizing project

To finish up my project, I spent my 20Time working on my presentation, making a trifold poster including the successes of my project along with the steps I took to make my lilypad. I also included the obstacles that I faced with this project and how I overcame them, along with a copy of Nicks story and how he inspired this project all the way in Californua.

Lilypad take 2

For my 20Time this week, I completed the finishing touches on my lilypad, painting the eyes on it. Since I made the lilypad with much thinner wood than the measurements said in order to see if I could make it for a more affordable price, I decided to make this my prototype. This week, I made another lilypad, this time following the measurements and dimensions that were sent to me so it will be safer to ride on. I cut it out with the bandsaw and painted it with a brown base and blue on top to make it look like a frosted doughnut.

Finalizing lilypad

For my 20Time this week I worked on the final design for my lilypad. To make it look like a ladybug, I fist drew out what I wanted it to look like in pencil. I then painted in the dots I drew with black paint, only needing one coat this time. I then painted the ladybugs head at the top of the lilypad, also in black. Lastly, I began to plan out what I want my final presentation to look like, highlighting the steps I took to get to where I am now and the challenged I faced and how I overcame them.

Painting and Customizing

I confirmed that my lilypads work, and therefore for my 20Time this week started the painting and designing process. I got a can of white primer paint and, with my dads help, painted the lilypad on both sides. Once the first coat dried, I could still see some of the wood so I put another coat of paint on it to smooth it out. Next, I started the designing process. I decided I wanted to make my lilypad look like a ladybug, so I had to start with the red paint. I only painted the top with the red, which required 3 coats before it looked up to par.

Specifications and testing

For my 20Time this week, I had planned to make the center hole bigger in the lilypad in order to match the measurements given to me. However, I looked online and saw that the diameter of an IV pole is 1 inch, which would allow for 3/8 of an inch of room with my current design to slide it on. The thickness of my lilypad is also half as thick the measurement he sent me, which is 3/4 of an inch thick. Before I went and purchased thicker wood, however,  I first wanted to test my current model, and see if this more cost- effective design will work. I made arrangements to go up to the Wexford house this coming Saturday to slide my lilypad onto one of their IV poles to test it out and see how it will work. After this, I will be able to determine if my current product will work or if I need to make changes to it.

Constructing the lilypad

Since I had not heard a response back from the people I emailed, I decided to experiment with constructing the lilypads. For my 20Time, I looked online at articles and videos and found that the lilypads were 2 feet in diameter. I then used a peice of pine plywood and, with my dads help, used a bandsaw and drill to cut the wood into the shape of a lilypad. I estimated the hole that the IV pole slides onto to have a diameter of 1 and 3/8 inches. The day after I had finished constructing this, I received an email back from James Wickens, the CTE coordinator at Auburn Riverside High School, which took part in this project after his former student Nick passed away. He sent me a PowerPoint with the directions of how to make the lilypads, along with a copy of Nicks story. After looking at this, I realized that the hole in the middle of the lilypad is too small, since it needs to be 1 and 3/4 inches instead of 1 and 3/8.

Design planning

For my 20Time on the 30th, I looked up and drew out designs to paint on the lilypads. This included images like a cat, Olaf, minions, dori, and nemo.
 Along with planning that out, I also emailed Nick Konkler's wood shop teacher, who was in charge of the lilypads project they did in Nicks honor when he passed away from Leukemia. I asked him what the directions and dimensions of the lilypads were, because after finding the materials I needed to make them, I realized that the directions and dimensions of it were nowhere to be found online! Once he emails me back I can begin to construct them.

Finding materials

For my 20Time on the 23rd, I looked online at various stores such as lowes and micheals and found the materials I'd need to complete the project. I also found a few items, such as wood filler, at Walmart too for a cheaper price. The following Saturday, I contacted the Levine children's hospital to see if they could use the lilypads. They said that they didn't have any and would be thrilled to get some! They are checking with people in that department now to have it approved.

Starting My Project

For my 20Time project I decided to make IV Pole Lily Pads, which are platforms shaped like a lily pad that are made of plywood and slide onto the base of the IV poles at the hospitals. The kids there can ride on these while connected, holding on to the IV pole, and be pushed by down the hallway by the nurses or family members. They can be painted with all kinds of unique designs, anywhere from race cars, butterflies, flowers, etc.. These Lily Pads are designed so the kids can ride down the hallways instead of having to walk, the fun colors and pictures there to cheer them up.

To kick off my project, I spent my 20Time on Friday researching the materials that I would need to make the lily pads, along with planning out the steps I will take over the next few months to complete the project. I also pitched my idea to the class, Mr. Pedersen commenting that a good edition might be to let the patients paint the lily pads themselves in a "painting party'' at the hospital. Therefore, I decided to add to my project by using the Lily Pads that I've made as examples, and bring several to the hospital for the kids to paint.

The supplies that I'll need to complete this project are:
-3/4" Birch Plywood in 24" squares (one sheet will cut 8 Lily Pads)
-100 or 120 grit sandpaper
-wood filler
-paint with primer for base coat of lily pad- flat spray paint will work as well
-pencils
-acrylic paint for designs
-paint brushes
-Minwax water based