Assigments

Foto de perfil

Week 1: Principles and Practices
Project Management

Principles and Practices (Part 1 of 2)

  • Plan and sketch a potential final project

Project Management (Part 2 of 2)

  • Read, sign and commit the student agreement
  • Work through a Git tutorial
  • Build a personal website in the class archive
  • Refer to the lecture material for examples
  • Upload parts 1 and 2 to the class archive

Fab Academy Student Agreement

The Fab Academy is responsible for:
  • Teaching principles and practices of digital fabrication
  • Arranging lectures, recitations, meetings, and events for the class
  • Evaluating and providing feedback on student work
  • Offering clear standards for completing assignments
  • Certifying and archiving student progress
  • Supervising class preparation
  • Reviewing prospective students, instructors, and labs
  • Providing central staff and infrastructure
  • Fund-raising for uncovered costs
  • Managing and reporting program finances and impacts
  • Publicizing the program
  • Promoting a respectful, harassment-free environment
  • Encouraging a diverse, accessible, and equitable community
I am a Fab Academy student, responsible for:
  • Attending lectures and participating in reviews
  • Developing and documenting assigned projects in reproducible detail
  • Honestly reporting my work and attributing others (including AI)
  • Being prepared to answer questions about my work
  • Allowing Fab Academy to share my work with attribution
  • Working safely
  • Leaving workspaces in equal or better condition
  • Participating in lab upkeep
  • Ensuring tuition and costs are covered
  • Following local health and safety guidance
  • Recognizing limits on lab and staff time
  • Promoting a respectful environment

Signed by committing this file in my repository,

(Rocio Milagros Maravi Aguilar)

Plan and sketch a potential final project

Bioreactor sketch

Idea 1: Bioreactor for submerged liquid fermentation of Trichoderma

What is it?

My first final project idea is to develop a bioreactor for the submerged liquid fermentation of a very important antagonistic fungus in the biological control of phytopathogens. This prototype is a stirred tank bioreactor (STR) specifically designed for the submerged liquid fermentation of the fungus Trichoderma, manufactured using 3D printing and laser cutting technologies.

Its fundamental components include a top motor with internal paddles for homogenization and oxygenation of the medium, automatic pH and temperature controllers with an LCD screen for real-time monitoring, an LED lighting system to regulate the photoperiod, a gas outlet, and a bottom discharge valve for sterile harvesting of the product.

Who will use it?

The equipment will be used primarily by biotechnology researchers and local producers of agricultural bio-inputs who require an efficient technological tool to scale up their fungal cultures under controlled environmental conditions.

Importance

The importance of this prototype lies in its ability to modernize and standardize the production of agricultural bio-inputs, which is vital for the preservation of sensitive ecosystems. By replacing synthetic agrochemicals with this natural preventative, the biodiversity of the soil and water sources of the region are protected, promoting sustainable agriculture that safeguards the health of the Amazon biome.

Idea 2: Low-Cost Smart Culture Chamber for Trichoderma

What is it?

This prototype is a Low-Cost Smart Culture Chamber, specifically designed as an incubator and culture storage facility for the initial phase of isolating and propagating the Trichoderma fungus in Petri dishes.

The chamber integrates sensors to maintain a stable temperature between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius, as well as a humidity control system and LED panels to manage the photoperiod necessary for sporulation. Its modular structure includes a blowhole fan for air circulation, an LCD screen for monitoring, and internal trays, all designed for local assembly with readily available materials.

Who will use it?

The equipment has been designed to be highly replicable, allowing not only the staff of the CITE Productivo Madre de Dios to access cutting-edge technology, but also enabling its implementation by producer associations and small local laboratories.

By using readily available electronic components and easily manufactured structures, access to biotechnological tools is democratized, allowing more people to manage their own culture collections and ensure the propagation of high-quality inoculants autonomously and economically.

Importance

The importance of this incubator lies in its potential to transform regional agriculture, guaranteeing the viability of pure strains that drastically reduce the use of chemical pesticides in the Amazon. By facilitating the local production of an efficient biocontrol agent like Trichoderma, a sustainable alternative is offered that protects the biodiversity of the Amazon biome and the health of the soils.

Culture chamber sketch

Step-by-step guide to setting up GitLab and creating my website

It is true that FAB ACADEMY transforms you. This part took me three consecutive sleepless nights, since before doing this assignment I knew absolutely nothing about GitLab, nor how to create and configure a website. On top of that, I received access to GitLab only 14 hours before the deadline of the first assignment. Honestly, I could not have completed this work without the video tutorial by Jhonatan Cortes and ChatGPT.

1) Installation of VS Code and Git

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2) Development of my website / Bootstrap template

At this point I didn’t know what to do, so I turned to ChatGPT. I opened a dedicated chat for Fab Academy and it helped me develop my website.

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3) Repository cloning

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4) Uploading changes to the repository

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Reflections and lessons learned – Week 1

1) Advice

  • Start as early as possible, even if you don’t fully understand the task yet.
  • Break each assignment into small, manageable steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
  • Document your process from the beginning; this saves time later and reduces stress.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for help or use external resources such as tutorials and AI tools.
  • Trust the Fab Academy process—learning happens through trial, error, and persistence.

2) What went well

  • I successfully completed the first assignment despite having no prior experience with GitLab or web development.
  • I learned how to install and configure the necessary tools and publish my personal website.
  • I was able to adapt quickly by using video tutorials and AI support to understand complex concepts.
  • Perseverance and commitment allowed me to meet the deadline, even under high pressure.

3) What didn’t go well

  • Poor time management led to multiple sleepless nights and high stress levels.
  • I underestimated the learning curve of Git and website development.
  • Receiving access credentials close to the deadline increased anxiety and reduced time for calm experimentation.
  • I could have improved my workflow by organizing files and documentation earlier.