Problem solving for the over-enthusiastic engineer

We came here to solve real world problems, but all we get in class are a bunch of hypothetical stuff that really makes no sense. I mean, sure a small child could toss a ball out the window of a moving car in attempt to hit a stop sign, but why would a small child even want do this and more importantly, why didn’t his parents stop him? Anyway, there are a lot of real problems that need solving out there, and who better to solve them with overwhelming technological extravagance than us?

Yesterday, I noticed that, apparently, the mechanism halting the rotation of the device preventing entry into the classroom had malfunctioned under stress and the door would get stuck a little bit open if someone used it. To solve this minor annoyance, someone had the bright idea to use a small wedge of wood to close the door completely. This incredibly simple and efficient solution disgusted me so much that I accidentally dropped it into a vat of acid. What that situation called for was robots and lasers, not a stupid block of wood! Anyway, a simple laser crossbeam to the doorframe and a mechanical arm to forcibly slam the door shut when the beam gets tripped succeeded in keeping the door shut. Unfortunately, it did break a few noses before that room was sealed in the interest of public safety, but since I only set out to close that door, it was mission accomplished for me.