My Project

For my senior project, my friend, Eli Mercer, and I are planning to build two bikes, one gas-powered and one electric. We are both interested in mechanical engineering and believe that this is a great opportunity to explore that passion, as Lovett has no classes on the subject. Through this project we hope to gain a better understanding of what it means to build something that can be used by the general public. In regards to the senior philosophy, we believe that our project fully satisfies the entire statement. Our project of building two bikes stands to serve others by offering an inexpensive method of transportation to the general public. By commuting with a motor powered bike, others can enjoy the benefits of fuel efficiency as well as environmental consciousness. Our project also addresses the issue of environmental awareness. By making a motor-powered bike that is practical for transportation, the need to use a car is eliminated in some aspects. As a result, the carbon footprint of those who use motor powered bikes will be exponentially reduced. And if an electric bike is used instead of a gas powered bike, the carbon emissions are nonexistent. Lastly, a major global issue facing the world today is the problem of global warming. As stated earlier, our project entails us creating a device that can be used daily while also lowering the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. More specifically, an issue facing the United States is reliance on foreign oil. Our project seeks to offer an alternative solution to oil by using electricity. We believe that if we can create these bikes, and show that they are a practical means of transport, we become part of the solution to this problem.

    Throughout our time at Lovett, we have unfortunately never had a chance to learn about mechanics and engineering. Therefore, in order to succeed in this project we know that we must do extensive research on the subject as if it were a real class. To prepare ourselves for the task of building two energy efficient bikes, we plan to research a few different areas. First, we plan to look into mechanics. We want to learn about how things work in an engine and how to increase efficiency. We do not want to go into this blindly. We plan to spend a few weekends in the mechanic shop Auto Repairs by Patrick prior to the start of the project. We hope that by integrating ourselves into the world of automobiles and mechanics, we will gain an understanding of what is required in the actual building of a motor bike. Learning how to use the tools in a mechanic shop is also what we hope to learn by spending time in Patrick’s shop. Through Eli Mercer, who has spent a couple summers working in Patrick’s shop, Campbell will learn about the patience required in the mechanic industry.  We also plan to do extensive reading on the subject in various books recommended by Patrick from Auto Repairs by Patrick. Moreover, we also plan to look into the environmental issues facing our world today. By talking with Jim Crowley, as well as reading into the subject, we plan to learn what specifically comes out of a car when driven, as well as what environmental problems can be stopped by our bikes. At the completion of our project, we hope to compare our bike’s carbon footprint to that of a car.

    At the end of this project, we will have two fully operational motorized bikes along with two commercials where we will attempt to sell our products. One of the bicycles will be powered by a gasoline motor and the other by an electric motor. We will run tests that provide the positive and negative aspects of owning either one. This data will consist efficiency, power, and practicality. After we produce all this data, we will create two commercials to educate our audience, one trying to sell the electric powered bike and the other to sell the gasoline powered bike. Both options will be more efficient and better for the environment than a car, but it is up to the consumer to choose what is best for him or her. With both of the bikes produced we will then show the commercial to the Lovett faculty member Joe, who works at the parking deck. He will then get to choose which bike will be donated to Lovett for use. We will turn in our data, our commercial, and our bikes as something tangible to be evaluated by Lovett.

    When we present our project, we have a few plans in mind. In regards to presenting to our peers, we plan to show our commercial to the student body. After showing them the commercial, we want to present the bikes on stage to them, and possibly drive them a little on stage. Next, we want to send out a survey to the entire upper school and let them decide which bike (gas or electric) they would rather drive. By involving the students in this survey, we hope to gain an understanding of what consumers really want. When we present our project to the faculty committee, we plan to create a powerpoint in which we show the specifics of our project. More specifically, we would like to theme the presentation as if the faculty is a board of investors, and we are trying to sell our product to them. We plan on showing the commercial to them as well, and also plan to prepare ourselves for any questions that might be asked. We will also bring the bikes to the faculty presentation in an effort to “win over investors”.