Blog 10: Self Reflection

 1. How do you think you are doing so far in your senior project and why?  AE, P, AP, CR, or NC
So far in this senior project I feel that I am doing P work. I been attending my service learning regularly, collecting research, and working on my individual component.  
2. What one thing do you think you have done well on and why?
The thing that I am most proud of is being in my service learning. Just a month ago I got the titile of cadet and I am now in Charlie flight. In a few months time, I will be able to advance to Alpha Flight. 
3. What is one thing you would like to improve on and why?
One thing I would like to improve on is to continue to do research for my senior topic at least 3 articles a week.

Blog 9: Science Proposal

1. What is your hypothesis?
If the aero foil on a rotary blade is designed a certain way, then the power output could be increased.  
2. Identify the dependent (produced), independent (manipulated) and control variables in your hypothesis.
The dependent variable in my experiment is watts which is joules per second. The independent variable or what will be manipulated is the aero foil design of the rotary blade. The controlled variable is the amount of air blown onto the rotary blade. 
3. What is the connection between your science fair project and your senior project EQ?
The connection between my science fair project and my essential question is that it relates to aerospace knowledge, a skill that is needed to be successful in the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program.   
4. How will you perform the experiment?  Include the equipment you plan on using.
 My Experiment will be performed using the base part of a wind turbine model(no blades) so that I can change the size of the rotary blades. I would need a anemometer to measure the wind speed and a multimeter to measure the amount of electricity being used. 
5. Which category will your project be listed under?  (For a full list of categories, go to the iPoly Physics webpage, then to the Science Fair tab.)
This would be under the Physics category. 

Blog 8: What I've Learned So Far

1) What have you learned how to do since you started working on your senior project?
In first starting the senior project I have learned to ask anything possible. This may seem like frivolous, but when I was searching for a possible project topic I didn't know where to begin. I asked everyone I knew for possible ideas. When I finally knew that I wanted to do aviation for my project I needed to figure out where I could do my service learning. With my first interview, Pat Hacker, I learned that I could possibly do my service learning at the Civil Air Patrol. I now go to the Civil Air Patrol every Monday for the cadet program and I really enjoy it. 
With spending more time at Civil Air Patrol I have learned what I can accomplish in the near future. I recently made a self propelled rocket. Although simple in design, it gave me a brief preview of what is ahead. In the coming weeks at Civil Air Patrol we will be making rockets in preparation for ROCStock in mid November. ROCStock is when you can take a rocket you have made and launch it or you can simply go to observe. Just last week we have gotten information on the some of the founders of the rocket. 

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

This is a photo of the rocket I made, its really simple and fun to make.
3) What research helped you to do this and how? 

• One important source was my first interview, Pat Hacker, as she told me of the Civil Air Patrol. 
• In first researching Civil Air Patrol as a possible service learning place I have found that Civil Air Patrol's website to be helpful in explaining the cadet program and where I could join. http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/about/
• Other research that has helped me has been an article that gives information on how an airplane works. With this information that I have learned I can apply it to building my own rocket for ROCStock. http://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/flight/modern/airplanes.htm

Blog 7: Independent Component One Plan Approval

1. Write a description of what you plan on doing for your independent study component.
 For my first independent component I will be working one becoming more physically fit for the CAP (Civil Air Patrol). By this I want to improve by working on cardio, strength training, and endurance.

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

In order to complete the 30 hours of work requirement, I will plan to keep a journal of my progress. I will do physical activities for 5 days a week for thirty minutes each. In that time I hope to improve my mile time, the amount of push-ups I can do, and as well as weight training.

3. How does your independent study component relate to your EQ?   

This independent component relates to my essential question because the CAP has hands on training for cadets, so that they can be physically fit for challenges that they may face.  In addition, the CAP prepares cadets that are interested in the Air Force for what they will encounter in being in the Air Force. 

Blog 6: Essential Question Draft One

1. What is your EQ? 

What is most essential in being successful in the cadet program at Civil Air Patrol?

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

• Successful: Being able to accomplish the different levels of ranking (the sixteen-step program) for cadets at CAP. Also having learned from CAP applied to other aspects of life. 
• Cadet Program: To educate cadets in aerospace, train to be physically fit, leadership, and moral leadership. The Cadet Program is a sixteen-step program that uses aviation as it's bases for learning. 

3. What are some possible answers to your EQ so far? Some possible answers to my essential question are 

• team work
• communication
• physical fitness 
• knowledge of aerospace

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. So far my most important source for solving my essential question is being a cadet in the Civil Air Program. I so far have seen the cadets in marching formations, how they work together, and moving up in ranks. 

Blog 5: Second Interview

1. Whats your background in aviation? 

2. What is Civil Air Patrol?

3. What made you want to join the CAP?

4. What are some opportunities that CAP can provide?

5. What is the CAP cadet program?

6. Did you ever participate in the CAP cadet program? If not with CAP, what other programs?

7. How long have you been involved with CAP?

8. Other than being in CAP what other sorts of aviation activities do you participate in?

Blog 4: Presentation Reflection

1.  In what way did the first interview affect your presentation?  Please explain, be specific and use an example.
The first interview affected my my presentation because it made me think of different professions that require a pilot's license. My interviewee Pat Hacker, gave me a lot of information about what made her get her pilot's license as well as she told me about some different professions like mechanic, instructor, pilot, and engineer. It made me decide to talk about some different profession that require a pilot's license to give students a chance to think why they might aim in getting their own pilot's license. 
2.  What you say stood out about your presentation performance and why?
My presentation poster had examples of the profession but they weren't ramdom photos I actually could explain the significance of the photo, next time though it would be better to have the photos in a slideshow so everyone can see.  I also made sure the class understood and were following along by asking follow-up questions about what I just talked about. 
3.  What was the most challenging to do and why?
The most challenging part of this five minute presentation was to effectively present using the LIA, I should of tied my presentation to my topic, Aviation, in my conclusion to show why I chose to do my 5 minute presentation on different professions that require a pilot's license.  

Blog 3: Senior Project Presentation One

Objective: To teach students about the different types of jobs that requires a pilot’s license. My end goal is for students to have knowledge of some of the professions that require a person to be a pilot and the importance it has today. 

Procedures:

1    Ask two to three students, “What are some professions that you can think of that require a pilot’s license?”

2.     I will then proceed in telling them different professions that require a pilot’s license. For example, the fire department, police department, commercial airlines, etc. 

3.      I will then go into detail of the different professions and their importance.

4.     To make sure everyone understands I will ask two to three students, “What is the importance of those professions?”

5.      I will then conclude my presentation by asking students if they have any questions. 

Check for Understanding: To check for understanding I will ask two different questions picking two to three students each time to give me an answer. I would like to see students make links to how the specific profession plays a role in many different situations. 

Resources/ Materials: I will need the desk all facing the whiteboard. I will have a poster to show the different professions that require a pilot’s license and a short explanation.  

My visual will include the following:

The fire department: search and rescue, planes that drop water on wildfires and aid in natural disaster (supplies, food, medical equipment)

The police department: the help in finding criminals and boarder control

Commercial Airlines: the importance of safety the transportation of goods (FedEx)

Blog 2: Interview Check

Who are you interviewing and why?
I am interviewing my mom's coworker Pat, she is a license pilot and her husband is a licensed pilot as well. I am interviewing Pat because she has experience and knowledge that is useful to my senior project.

What additional questions would you ask them?
1. What are some of the prerequisites that you need in getting your pilot's license?
2. What was most difficult in getting your pilot's license?
3. What sort of opportunities do you get that someone without a pilot's license doesn't?
4. What are some of the finances that come with getting your pilots license?

Blog 1: Senior Project Topic

What is your topic?
Aviation

Why?
I picked this topic for my senior topic because its something that has always interested me. I always like to try new things and this is one that I always hope to try. With the senior project I hope to explore aviation more and someday get a pilots license for a small aircraft. I always love to be on plane flights sitting next to the window and seeing the world from a bird's eye view. A bird's eye view makes everything that happens daily seem so small compared to what is around us.
What do you hope to accomplish after studying this topic all year? 
After studying aviation for the year I hope to have a greater understanding of the operation of airplanes. In the future I also hope to be able to fly for recreational purposes as well as using this skill to help others. In addition, I want to apply what I learn in my senior project this year to my everyday life.