W8 Problem Solving Project 3
This week, get together with your group and brainstorm to come up with a new problem. Choose a problem that will allow you to be creative. Something that can be solved by inventing a “zeecher.” State your problem and post it to your group discussion board.
Finding Your Problem
How would I go about turning an old pail/bucket into a beautiful garbage bin/can?
W9 Problem Solving Project 3
Consider your problem in light of order-of-magnitude changes. Does changing the size or scope change how you create your “zeecher”? On the Project 3 discussion board, post your problem and include the items you plan to use to create your zeecher.
Zeechers
The improvised trashcans from worn-out buckets are my primary materials. Other materials which I will use to repurpose this simple household objects are hinge, latch, wheels, paint, and creativity. I can use small, used buckets for my improvised, indoor trashcans and large buckets for outdoor garbage bins. Whether small or large, old buckets/pails, I can turn them into beautiful trashcans / garbage bins. If there are many worn-out buckets, I can arrange them together to make a long column/file of bins. Before doing that, even if some of the buckets have small holes in them, I will still place inside each of them a trash bag. Overall, my improvised trashcans can be made using buckets of all sizes.
W10 Problem Solving Project 3 Compiling Your Project
Statement of the Problem: How would I go about turning an old pail/bucket into a beautiful garbage bin/can?
Answers to order-of-magnitude questions: If I have large, old buckets, I will turn them into outdoor garbage cans. On the other hand, the small, worn out buckets will be repurposed as indoor trash bins. Because I have to turn each old bucket into beautiful trashcans, I should paint them with beautiful colors. Prior to that, I have to consider convenience or ease in using them (Please see the illustration above). I will brand my improvised trashcans as “TrashPail” and use add the catchphrase: ‘It is where your trash belongs.’
Summary of how this helped analyze your problem: The TrashPail have learned important lessons on the topic “Order-of-Magnitude.” I realized that since I expect that my trashpail arefor indoor and outdoor places and that garbage are either non- or biodegradable, I should come up with a column / file of garbage bins that can also be used by our community. For convenience purposes, I will place wheels, pedal-typed trash cover, and so on.
Description of your zeecher: The TrashPail (‘Trash falls in!’) is made of an old / worn-out bucket / pail, wheels, pedal, and latch. To make it look nice, there is a need to cover them with paint. The TrashPails come in different sizes, design, etc. Some of the trashcans have alarm clocks, too.
Summary of problem solution: Trashcans are important to maintain cleanliness in one’s surrounding. Instead of disposing of old, worn out buckets / pail, they can be converted into improvised trash bins. The pail’s cover should be remade. I will use a metal hinge (such as those used in doors). I will connect the lid of the bucket and its cover to attach them using a hinge. I will also improvised my trashcan cover to become pedal-type. Instead of using my bare hands whenever I open the cover, I will simply use my foot to press or un-press the pedal for the trashcan cover to open or close, respectively.
Although this is optional, I can also remove the other end of the trashcan. I will put a metal hinge and a horizontal door latch. If I live in the upper part of an apartment building, all I have to do then is to unlock the latch. The garbage will then be emptied. Its content will fall directly down a bigger garbage can below my apartment unit. This way, I do not have to go downstairs just to empty the trashcan. In case I have a house with many rooms, I can also do the same. All I have to do then is to unlatch the lock, go downstairs and collect the garbage around my house using the outdoor trashcans with wheels. All the trashes will then be placed in a nearby garbage collector bin for the garbage truck to collect. But before using / installing all the improvised trashcan in their proper and strategic areas, I have to paint them first.
I must be creative in painting each trashcan. Based on the city ordinance, I will use a paint color for my trashcan either for biodegradable or for non-biodegradable. I can also put two wheels for each of my improvised trash bin. In case there are scheduled pickup of garbage in our community, I will attach alarm/timer to each trashcan. In that case, when I hear the alarm, it is then time for me to remove the trash inside the bin.
After some times when the trashcan’s paint colors worn out, I only have to re-paint them. I really enjoy repurposing simple household items. For a sample improvised trash bin, please see the illustration below:
This way, whether indoor or outdoor, one can have a trashcan. All that is needed is a little of one’s time, effort/energy and money. If you want to cleanliness, use TrashPail not only to un-clutter your surroundings, but also your mind! Improvise! Make it happen today!
References
Logsdon, T. (1993). The Midas Touch: Polishing Your Creative Problems-Solving Skills so Everything you Touch Turns into Pure Gold. Los Angeles, California: Seven Seas Publishing Company. Print.
