fandomhigh | Applied Science | Monday, 8/31 |Period 1

Oh, hey, a new semester! That meant Tyler was on time, actually put on a tie, and -- in honor of the early hour -- had a huge tank of coffee and stack of cups on a back table.

"Hi," he said as the class filed in, gesturing a little with the coffee mug that probably would not leave his hand in the next 15 classes. "Welcome to applied science. I'm Tyler Durden. Tyler works, Mr. Durden works ... not a big fan of 'hey you' in the classroom."

"Usually I make soap the first week, but this doesn't feel like a day for it." By which he meant he wasn't quite ready to repeat the class yet, and was saving it. "So today, we're talking about one of the most basic concepts in physics -- simple machines."

"Basically, a simple machine is a mechanical device that changes the direction or magnitude of a force -- the simplest mechanisms that use leverage to multiply force. A simple machine uses a single applied force to do work against a single load force. Ignoring friction losses, the work done on the load is equal to the work done by the applied force. They can be used to increase the amount of the output force, at the cost of a proportional decrease in the distance moved by the load. The ratio of the output to the input force is called the mechanical advantage."

"Six things are classically considered simple machines." He moved over to stand in front of a counter of such, holding each up as he talked. "The lever, like this hammer. The wheel and axle. The inclined plane, or ramp. The screw. The wedge. The pulley."

The lecture continued for a while, then: "Today we're going to introduce ourselves -- name, grade, and who you would fight if you could fight anyone, living, dead or imaginary -- then try to see how each of these simple machines are useful by trying to build something." He nodded to a student in the first row. "You first. And I need a TA or two." Not looking at Ino ~~if she was there~~, there. "Talk to me during the introductions or after class if you're interested."

[OOC: TAs have been chosen OOCly.]

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It was like he was three again. Really. Still, Spock supposed there was something almost meditatively calming about revisiting the simplest things, and hands-on had never been quite his strongest suit. It was why he'd preferred pure science to engineering as a track of study.

That didn't stop his simple machine, a pulley, from being quite complex in its construction.

"Hey, Spock." Good to see you as a guy? "Having fun?" Okay, boring, but still.

"Dinah," Spock said. "Greetings. I am completing our assignment."

She'd forgotten how totally contained he'd been when they met. "Nice pulley. You've done this before, haven't you."

From Dinah's mess of ramps, see-saws, and random marbles, it was probably clear she hadn't. Still, parts of it were working just fine.

"This was previously part of my studies, yes," Spock agreed, as he started trying to figure out how to build a gear system with the materials provided. He suspected it might not be politic to mention he'd been in preschool at the time. The Vulcan educational system was not for the faint of heart.

"Are you going into science for a career? Or architecture?" Dinah asked, curious. More marbles were sacrificed to the Lava God, although without the previous enthusiasm before talking to Jono. "You seem to be good at that."

Spock nodded. "I intend to apply to the Vulcan Science Academy and Starfleet Academy when I complete my secondary schooling." He hesitated, then said, "Thank you. My scholastic experience in the past has been less hands-on."

"You're welcome. It's very-- what's the word I want?" Dinah put a wheel in place to move the little marbles down a level. "Precise. Nothing wasted." She tilted her head. "Those sound like impressive schools. Which one are you more intereted in getting into?"

"It is logical to cultivate multiple options," Spock said. "To be admitted to study at the Vulcan Science Academy is a great honor."

"Real school, safety school," Dinah said, understanding. "Still. Starfleet Academy, that sounds cool too. Is that on Earth, or some other planet in the future?" She cocked her head, thinking. "I'll probably just go to one of the community colleges back home." Which... didn't sound that great, but then again, maybe it wouldn't matter?

"Starfleet Academy is located on Earth," Spock confirmed, not understanding her reference to a 'safety' school. They were both real schools, after all. "In San Francisco. I apologize for my lack of familiarity; what is a 'community' college? I assume you do not mean a college located in a community, since...most are."

"A community college is, well. Smaller. City-based. It doesn't get state funds, and it's not pricey and private and impressive." Dinah fidgeted with one of the screws in front of her, and said, "Some of them are just two-year colleges, and then you transfer to a better one." The implications were probably clear, right there.

Edited 2009-09-01 06:10 (UTC)

"Pardon me for saying so, but you do not sound particularly enthusiastic about the idea," Spock observed.

"Heh. No." The snicker was for the eyebrow going up exactly the way it did on Girl-Spock. "I'm not an academic, I want to do things. I already know my career, and spending another two or four years trapped in a regular classroom-- Jeezzz." Plus there was the fear that she wouldn't do well again, and a little wince that she probably couldn't get into somewhere like Gotham University. "What's the point?"

"To learn and expand your knowledge?" Spock suggested. "As well as becoming better prepared for your career and to be a well-rounded member of society." But then, he was an academic.

"Maybe there'll be a private investigation major." Maybe. "Maybe they'll let me investigate instead of just writing papers about it." Possibly? "Maybe they'll grade for practical knowledge." Wow, she hoped so. Dinah poured more little marbles to their ultimate doom. "I guess that could work." She checked on Spock. "Do you know what you want to specialize in yet? Or just 'science' and figure it out later?"

Edited 2009-09-01 07:25 (UTC)

"I suppose anything is possible," Spock said, sounding slightly dubious. "I intend to devote my life to knowledge. To narrow that pursuit more than I already have would limit what I will have the opportunity to learn."

Dinah blinked at him, then told him semi-seriously, "Many of my people would be intimidated by that statement, you know. Or just settle for name-calling 'cause they're jealous they have no response to that."

Applied Science | Monday, 8/31 |Period 1

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