So I will continue blogging, but my presentation is this Thursday. I'm pretty much done with my presentation, but I need some feedback! I've raised some money for the team which is part of my senior project, and all that's left to do is find out what I taught you. Please! Tell me what you think! What have you learned? What did I do well? What didn't I do well? I need your help! :) Thanks guys!
The evils of Journals (10.31.10)
So we have to do journal entries for our senior project. Like a lot of them. Luckily, my blog posts pretty much cover that area. I'm writing my research paper this week, so things are pretty crazy. Here are a few of my journals that I wrote for the senior project class.
9/1/10:
Today was the first day of the senior project class. I sat and listened, and understood that it will be as bad as everyone says. Despite this, I’m psyched! I really cannot wait until I can get started on my project. I already have articles prepared for my blog. I spent a lot of time researching things that interested me, and got a lot of information on new technologies. I’m not really sure how it’s going to work, but I know that it will turn out well. I’m very passionate about robotics, so this is definitely going to be a blast. I’m glad that I’m planning on working alone. I’ve heard so many horror stories about one person not pulling his or her own weight. I don’t work well with people who don’t hold their own. It is much too frustrating. This class seems like it has a lot to offer, though. I will definitely make sure to stay on top of my work. A lot of people have described this time as homework time, but I will be sure to actually work on my project while in there. It is a valuable block that will allow me to finish my project in plenty of time. In reality, I shouldn’t have to do much at home. For that, I am very grateful. I have high hopes for this project, and I definitely think it will be successful.
9/17/10:
Last night I finally made my blog. After much anticipation, this was a load off my chest. I started by making myself a new email, something I desperately needed to do. Then I signed up for blogger. This was a much shorter process than I expected, so it went pretty quick. Then reality hit. I have a blog, and I have to keep up with it every week. It was a little nerve-racking I’ve got to say. The worst part was probably choosing a name and a web address. I was so scared that I would pick the wrong thing, or something that just didn’t make sense. I changed my mind probably 30 times and finally decided on Senior Project- Technological innovation. I chose the URL as www.robotlifesp.blogspot.com, and I think this is fitting. In hindsight, I may not have used this exact wording, but I think it does the job. As far as entries go, I wrote an introduction about myself. I thought it was important to explain why I was doing the project, as well as give a little bit of insight into who I am. I don’t have any followers yet, but I’m hoping to get some soon. I put my link up on facebook in hopes of getting the word out. As soon as I put in some research-based entries, I will be sure to advertise it elsewhere. I’m very excited to get started on this. I still have to familiarize myself with the layout and whatnot, but I’m not too worried about it. This blog is the perfect senior project tool.
Senior Project in a Nutshell (10.16.10)So some of you may be wondering what senior project is. In my school, all students must complete something called "Service Learning" from 6th to 11th grade. In senior year, though, things change a little. All seniors must complete a community service project that focuses on an issue in the world and does something to better it. Many students do walk-a-thons, concerts, seminars, and other events like those. I wanted to do something a little different. Originally, I wanted to build a playground at my school, but I couldn't think up a good reason behind that one except my constant wish to go outside in the middle of class. My teacher made a blog and one day during class she announced that it would be a great idea to use as a senior project. I jumped right on thta, and I knewimmediately what I wanted to do it on.
A senior project needs to reach out to the community, which I'm doing by donating all the advertising proceeds to Team Paragon robotics for their build and competition season. It also needs to meet a certain number of our "Expectations for Student Learning". I'm doing this by advertising, writing, and I will even have some French posts! :) We have to write a research paper and journal entries, which go hand-in-hand with this project. My posts are really the journal entries of my project, so that part is taken care of. As for the research paper, my larger question is "What is America's status in the global technological race and how can the youth be properly prepared to excell in the future?" All of the different aspects of my blog willl help me in finding the answer to this question.
So that's the dreaded senior project in a nutshell. It is often the determining factor in a student's graduation, so I'm lucky to have found one that I know I can complete. If you have any questions feel free to comment. I'd love to answer!
