Self Reflection

01. How do you think you are doing so far in your senior project and why?  AE, P, AP, CR, or NC

I feel like I am doing P worthy work considering that I decided to change topics when I did, completing my research over again and lining up service learning opportunities. 

02. What one thing do you think you have done well on and why?

I feel like I have done well in organizing my new research after switching topics and keeping everything together in one place.

03. What is one thing you would like to improve on and why?

I would like to actually start my service learning already as opposed to waiting until January. Waiting until that point and time makes me nervous.

Science Fair Proposal

01. Hypothesis
 - If anesthesia providers do not thoroughly decontaminate surgical areas then the likely hood they will transfer bacterial infections is high.
02. Identify:
      - Dependent Variable: Bacteria Transfered
      - Independent Variable: How much bacteria is decontaminated
      - Control Variable: Surgical Areas
03. What is the connection between your science fair project and your senior project EQ?
- My senior project is anesthesiology, and the cleanliness of the machinery used is a very important aspect to this particular area of surgery. If something is not thoroughly decontaminated the likely hood of bacterial transmission is higher, which could lead to greater complications for the patient.   
04. How will you perform the experiment?  Include the equipment you plan on using.
- I will analyze the set of data collected by those who actually conducted the experiment.
05. Which category will your project be listed under?  
- My experiment falls under the category of microbiology, it is an experiment studying the study of bacterial transmission.

Blog #8: What I've Learned So Far

1) What have you learned how to do since you started working on your senior project?

- I have leaned intricate details to the inner working of things that belong in a vehicle or on a motor. For example I have learned how to pull a transmission out, with experience as well as rotate tires change brakes check oil a lot of the basic but still valuable information. I’ve also learned how to sand and strip a body of paint to prepare it for a new paint job.

2) Post evidence of this accomplishment.  It can be in the form of a picture, video, document, etc..

This is a hood that I worked on that was completely sanded down from rust and put back onto a truck to be ready for painting.

3) What research helped you to do this and how?*

- Currently my most important source would be my service learning, Antonio Sainz. He has not only explained to my why it is curtain things function the way the do but as well as showed me and taken me through the process in our service learning time. 

Independent Component 1 Plan Approval

(1) Write a description of what you plan on doing for your independent study component.

For my first independent component I plan on taking an automotive mechanics class.

(2) Describe in detail how you think your plan will meet the 30 hours work requirement.

The classes that I have been looking at would surely suffice in covering the 30 hour requirement.

(3) How does your independent study component relate to your EQ?   

Taking an automotive class would correlate directly to my EQ because I’ am asking what is most important in becoming a successful 4x4 automotive technician, learning the basics would serve as a very important foundation. 

Defining the EQ.

(1) What is your EQ?

What is most important in becoming a successful 4x4 automotive mechanic?

(2) Define the words in your EQ to make sure we are on the same page regarding what your EQ means.

- Successful: achieving popularity in the field/credibility, and a steady income

(3) What are some possible answers to your EQ so far?

- Having earned a degree/educational accomplishment for credibility in automotive mechanics

- Having experience in the field of 4x4

(4) What has been your most important source and why?  Be specific.  If it is a person, name them and what they do, if it is an article, book or video, name the title and author. 

My most important source I do believe has been my 1^st interview, Antonio Sainz. He allowed me to see a simpler yet more complex side of the business. Simpler in the way that he made me understand that once you have the basis of your knowledge down the rest is just slightly tweaking that knowledge. Complicated in the sense that learning all of that knowledge does take a lot of time as well as experience. It was a different perspective as opposed to just straight information from a book.  

Blog #5: Second Interview Questions

1.   How long have you been in the business?

2.   How much schooling/education did you have in this particular field?

3.   Did you pursue this career by choice?

4.   How many different shops have you worked at? Was there a main reason to switch shops?

5.   Is there something specific that you look for when looking for a shop to work at?

6. Have you ever had a problem with being able to find a job? Why? Why not, do you think? 

Presentation Reflection

Blog 4: Interview 1 & Presentation 1

- 01. In what way did the first interview affect your presentation?  Please explain, be specific and use an example.

My 1st interview affected my presentation in the way that it allowed me to explore the many different resources for information. At 1 point in the interview we talked about speaking with the manufacturers of vehicles to see where everything comes from and why the make certain models the way they do. Id day that’s the biggest impact my 1^st interview had on my 5-minute presentation.   

- 02. What you say stood out about your presentation performance and why?

I think that the 1 thing that stood out in my presentation was the fact that I had very clear visuals I did not bombard the class with boats loads of information on a poster board I chose the more important notes and made them know, in a very simple manner.

- 03. What was the most challenging to do and why?

The most challenging part I think was really saying everything I needed/wanted to say I was so worried about the time limit and not passing it that I sped through everything and my nerves go to me. I didn’t say some of the points I wanted to cover as well as really get into the lesson and make sure everyone understood thoroughly. 

Blog #3: Senior Project Presentation 1

5 Minute Presentation Rough Draft

Lesson: Identifying different types of Vehicles

Objective: The students will learn to tell the difference between the types of vehicles that there are, including 18 wheelers, ATV’s, Convertibles, Compacts, Sports Cars, Race cars. 

Procedure:

1. I will start the lesson out with asking the students to name as many different types of vehicles as they can, and whether or not they know the difference between them. 

2. I will then go into my specific lesson, which is to give them the ability to not only be able to visually see the difference in the types of vehicles but know the mechanical differences.

3. I will then use my poster boards to show the main difference between the 7 main types of vehicles named in the above objective. The posters will have both photos and text that gives the basic description of that vehicle type.

4.  After explaining each vehicle and description I will then check whether or not the students understood, by asking them to name differences between certain vehicles, calling on students randomly.

5. I will then explain how this over all idea ties into the over all concept of my senior topic.

6. I will then conclude my presentation by asking if there are any further questions.

Check for Understanding: To check for understanding I will have pictures of vehicles that correspond with the types of vehicles that I explained and I will have students identify what type of vehicle it is, and the difference of that one vehicle and the others.

Resources/Materials:

In order to strengthen my lesson, I plan on using poster boards, as well as the separate pictures that will be used to check for understanding.

Evidence of L.I.A

Literal: With the research that I have collected I have learned that there is difference in types of vehicles, which causes the difference in the type of engine that is put into that vehicle. Different vehicles require different maintenance.

Interpretive: In order to connect to the students I intend to tie into the fact that sooner or later if not already we will all be driving. Being able to tell the difference in the type of vehicle you are buying as well as the type of maintenance vehicles require so you can either perform it yourself or know what needs to be done and not get swindled by mechanics. Having that mentality I think will allow the students to have a better understanding of this lesson.

Applied: This specific topic helps in the over all goal of my senior project because it is a fundamental that leads to the 1^st step in knowing how to properly maintenance your own vehicle. Being that my topic surrounds becoming successful automotive technician, this is a vital step. 

Blog #2 Interview Check

Q: Who are you interviewing and why?

A: I have decided to interview my father because he is the main inspiration for my topic choice, and the reason I know anything about the world of off roading. He is also a very experienced mechanic with over 32 years of experience he is a very knowledgeable source. 


Q: What additional questions will you ask them (in addition to the 5 required)

A:

1.) What drove you to pick this field as a career?

2.) Is he constantly having to learn new techniques/advancements?

3.) What are some essential that a mechanic needs to know, to start off?

4.) Is the majority of what you learned off of pure experience in the industry or specified courses/ education? 

Blog #1: Senior Project Topic

Q: What is your topic?

A: My senior project is on Automotive Mechanics with a main focus in the area of off roading.

Q; Why?

A: I chose to do automotive mechanics because I have personally been off roading since I was about 8 years old and it is something that my family and I do every Sunday and I happen to enjoy a great deal. My father builds all of our trucks and since I was young I would always watch him work on the trucks we broke, abusing them in the mud. I forever wondered how it all worked and now that I’m old enough to understand it I would like to get the chance to help my dad and learn how to work on the trucks to.

Q: What do you hope to accomplish after studying this topic all year?

A: At the end of the year I hope to be able to take the trucks out on my own and if there is a problem while I’m out in the mud be able to fix it myself without having my dad there with me. When your out off roading and you break down you have to get towed home because where we go, you are in dam and there is no professional to help you all you have is your knowledge and the tools you bring with you to fix whatever might break. I want to be capable of fixing anything that happens to my truck while I’m out.