Table of Contents
Topic
|
Page
|
Introduction & Background of Organisation
| |
Reflection
| |
Progress Chart
| |
The Initial Conditions
| |
Proposed Solutions
| |
The Process
1.
The preparation
2.
Working and Processing
3.
Installation | |
The Final Product
| |
Costing
| |
Environmental Impact
| |
Conclusion
|
Introduction
The Kiwanis TTDI Centre reaches out to autistic children and occasionally to physically disabled children. They specialize in training slow learners into basic skills that are vital in their lives. Being run for almost 40 years, the TTDI headquarters requires some maintenance in terms of shelter and more activities for the children. Thus, we plan to construct a hanging garden and extend the shelter of the House.
We chose this organization due to the flexibility of location where we can expand our creativity as well as being able to brighten up the centre as most of its playground structures are worn out.
The organization requested out our creativity to construct anything that will enhance the appeal of the area, adding convenience to the area and provide more activities to the children. This project will be carried out around 3 to 4 hours in campus constructing and 1 hour at site to measure and analyse the site for the first 2 weeks. After that, work will be carried out in campus for 3 hours before transporting the structure to the centre for testing. The site as mentioned will be at the Kiwanis Centre of TTDI in Selangor. It is the headquarters for all of its operations. This project will be advantageous for both we, the teachers and the children in the centre. The estimated cost will be kept at a minimum RM300 to RM400 as we try to use recyclable materials in this project. From this project too, we will instill recyclable materials into this project, hence creating awareness for the recycling habit into children and the public.
Reflective
Throughout this project we had learned so many things that cannot learned from the books or lecturer, I guess this is what we called practical. Once we did it practically, we found out that there were so many problems occur and sometimes it really needs a lot of time to solve. Moreover, the cooperation between teammates is also very essential to make sure the work go smoothly.
We had learned to solve problem smartly when doing this project. Sometimes, things just would not go on what you had planned, therefore, with a little bit of wisdom and brainstorming, we could think of the other way to get the same result. We try to solve those practical problems by considering the time consuming, safety and effective.
Then, we had learned to cooperate well with our group mates. In fact, we had created a strong bond between our group mates. We eventually became friends after this project. We were so glad that throughout this project, there was no serious conflict between us. Everybody is so good in controlling their own temper and patient when there are some different opinions from individuals. Without the cooperation between group mates, we cannot finish the project on time and nicely, therefore, cooperation is the main key towards success.
By completing this project, we had also learned to obey leader’s order and be responsible. Leader is the one who distribute the work, so once we receive our task, we do it our best and there should be no complaint about the task, because this is our responsibility in the group. There were issues related to punctuality also, once leader decide what time you should arrive or submit the work, we should arrive punctually and submit the task on time. This makes sure the progress carry on consistently and parallel.
The efficient teamwork leads us all into completing the project few days early.
Moreover, we had more knowledge on the environment sustainable skill. We had become more environmental conscious after completed this project. Recycled materials like tyres and bamboo as we used in this project is sustainable and energy saving. This makes us realized that recycle and reuse is somehow the best way to create an energy saving planet. This theory can be apply on those old building which we can modified and renovate it without demolish the whole building.
Finally, we had learned some construction skills via this project. By building up the ‘tyres garden’, we must use the bolts and nuts on the both side of a tyre to another tyre. So, the bond between the tyres are strong. The arrangement of tyres is also based on the stability theory. Then, we had also learned to scrap off the rust by sand paper and paint a layer of red oxide (anti-rust paint) first before applying the paint.
In a nut shell, we are so glad that we had learned so many things through this project. The guidance and advice from our lecturer is also the main key that we can finish this project successfully. We hope there will be other project which we could learn things and get self improvement like this project.
New techniques were picked up in the duration of this project too.
When we dropped by the centre for the first time, we assessed the situation around. After a small discussion was carried out, we proposed our ideas to the the principal of Kiwanis Centre. She's then approved our ideas which is build a mini garden at the middle with bamboo rack at right hand side for the growth of plants. Throughout these trivial matter, we had learned to manage time, shared out ideas and also accepted others opinion to complete our projects.
For the beautification of environment and safety purpose, we decided repaint the steel structure in front of the entrance. We painted the steel with anti-rust paint because the moist of bamboo can cause oxidation on steel frame. If oxidation of steel getting worse, it will collapse and hurt children in the centre. Then, safeness will not guarantee when passing through this walkway. After the application of anti-rust paint, another layer of emulsion paint was added in for water resistance and also beautify the whole structure. With this activity, we had produced teamwork between 10 of us. We learned to help each other and take turn to scrap off the rust from the steel. Moreover, we also learned to teach each other the way of painting to make a better outlook for our structure.
Secondly, another structure we had built is bamboo frame. Bamboo is chosen as the frame because it's hard and reusable material which eco-friendly to environment. It's used to letpassion fruit to climb up so that the whole structure that attached to steel frame can be covered up. Covering up the both bamboo and steel frame with plants can produce more fresh air and provide shelter under it. This can be used as a teaching material to educate children. During the process of building up the whole structure, some of us had learned how to tighten up two bamboo perpendicularly with rope. After the bamboo structure had done, passion fruit are planted into the soil. Then, a big piece of insect netting are put on to prevent the baby passion fruit from directly hitting by sun. During tightening up the bamboo and planting passion fruits, we had learned not to become selfish. We need to teach others what we know and do what we had known.
Other than that, we had also built a tyre structure at the empty land on our left hand side. We chose to use tyre because it's reusable and more suitable for herbs plantation. A few pots of herbs like pegaga and peppermint were planted into the tyres with organic soil. The purpose of planting herbs into the tyres is because they're easily growth. Moreover, they also have a lot of function for people's health in both western and traditional medicine field. Throughout building up this tyre structure, we had learned the construction method of connecting nuts and bolts together by drilling holes on tyres. Then, we had also learned to produce the most stable tyre structure to prevent children from pushing it away from the original position.
As a conclusion, we have learned a lot of things like the importance of teamwork, sharing of ideas, and construction methods that we wouldn't learn in school. This project taught us a lot of moral values like be responsible, generous, punctual on time and active to give ideas. Moreover, every members plays an important role in this project because without the cooperation of each members, we wouldn't complete our projects on time. Constructing these structures are not only for doing our projects but it also benefits the children's and the principal of the centre.
Detail Costing
Item
|
Quantity
|
Price(RM)
|
Emulsion Paint
|
3 cans
|
RM140
|
Anti Rust Solvent
|
3 Bottles
|
RM180
|
Old Tyres
|
15-18 tyres
|
RM 0 (Recycled)
|
Bamboo
|
45-50 Poles
|
RM 0 (Recycled)
|
Rope
|
300 cm
|
RM 35
|
Grand Total
|
RM 355
|
Environment Impacts
From the starting of project, we aimed that steel frame that located at the front door of Kiwanis Centre is the best way of restructure the site. The rusty steel frame need to be scrapped of to paint oxide and colour paint. With the use of waterproof paint can prevent the steel frame weakening after hit by rain. If paint is not applied and the steel frame keep on rusting, the children’s safety will be threatened. For the sake of children and also us, we put on anti-rust paint to prevent the steel frame from rusting and also paint for the beauty of the frame. Instead of taking off the whole steel frame, we choose to attach it to our bamboo structure to become a shelter for passion fruit to climb up.
We had collected reused tyres as one of our structure to plant herbs. With the use of reused tyres can prevent people from open burning. Toxic gases will be released due to open burning as well. The more the toxic gases has been produced, the level of air pollution will be increased. When the level of air pollution increase, people’s health will then be threatened. In an effort to preserve the environment conditions of Earth, it is encouraged through this project that the habit of recycling and reusing waste products should be implemented.
Tyres structure are used as the habitat of herb-based plants. Herbs such aspegaga and mint are planted in the tyres. Holes are digged to let water drain away from the tyres. When the herbs gettng bigger, the whole tyres will be filled with greenery plants as decoration. Moreover, pegaga which is rich in vitamin K and calcium can be used as a medicine to apply on skin for calming effect. Peppermint can be put into food to make them more delicious. It can also be used for the relief of upset stomach with mixing the leaves withs hot water. Therefore, planting herbs will not be a waste but become benefits to nature and also people.
We had used bamboo as frame for passion fruit to grow up. Bamboos are strong enough to withstand the weight of passion fruit even they are getting bigger. It’s more eco-friendly to use bamboo more than steel frame. Children in Kiwanis Centre can experience the space with the combination of passion fruit.
Conclusion
Through this project, we had learned the best way to construct a structure which is low cost and low energy consume which is with recycled materials. The energy consumed and carbon released in this project is minimum due to the use of recycled materials like bamboo and tyres. Previously, we had estimated the cost of our project would be around RM 500 but we had spent only RM355 for this project since we managed to get tyres and bamboo for free.
We felt glad that the progress of our work go consistently and well-cooperated between members. This project had made us gather and do works together. When there is a conflict or problem, we sort it out together. Therefore, the social relationship between members had built up.
This project does improved sustainable design skill of us, while it also makes us design a structure practically with actual scale. Moreover, This project had given a wide range in what types of structure we got to do, so we can decide and design freely with full of creativity.
We had gained some construction knowledge from this project which will be very useful no matter when you are a student or worker. We had also gained experience in doing this kind of project which will be very useful in the future.
Through this project, we had also helped the non-profitable organization by doing something they need. Autism kids from Kiwanis Centre need more social and physical bonding to the environment, therefore we constructed a ‘tyres garden’ for those kids. We do also modified the iron frame structure into a shelter because the kids need shelter when they are allowed to play at outside.
Next, we also get self-improvement through this project, it does improve our social skill, leadership, obeying order and solve problem smartly. These individual benefits were gained while carrying out this project.
In addition, this project does teach us some valuable moral values such as be resourceful, help others in need, be tolerance and be rational.
In a nut shell, we appreciated Taylor’s University and lecturer which give us a chance to carry out this project. The concept of this project is really good which it help outsiders by using student and institution resources. This project is meaningful and helpful to the others. We hope there will be more group and outdoor assignment like this project because it really benefits everybody.
Progress of work through video.
