KAR Group: 5/14/13

Today in the KAR Fitness group, we uploaded videos and finished up cards. This involved creating QR codes for each of the exercise videos that we filmed the previous day.

Kris busy editing cards.

Bharath and Abby helped edit our cards while we edited theirs. Here arises several OCD issues, but that will happen when you put several OCD people together and expect similar results. There was some trouble uploading today with each of the fitness group and KAR's problem child was the video for shuffle. It refused to upload.  We fixed this problem in fourth period when I decided to upload the uncut version instead, and it worked! The video can be watched following this link. We also inserted picture we retook yesterday into some of the cards like push-ups and burpees. These pictures helped to give a better angle for individuals to figure out how to place their body. The majority of the day was spent on working on the cards and editing, editing, editing (I think the point is made). We got the cards done and waiting for approval from Ms.Tash to get finalization on cards.

Riana and Kris excited that we are almost done!

If you want to see some of our videos, here they are:

Burpees 

Skipping

Mountain Climbers

Skiers 

Shoulder Touches

Push-Ups <shout out to Bharath for helping us in this video!>

Skaters

Galloping

These videos are instructions for the exercises in our circuit and the QR codes are located on the bottom of the card. With any smart device, an individual can scan the code and it will take the individual to the video of the exercise. The QR code looks like this:

This is the QR Code for shuffling.

Sixth period, we moved to Ms. Cook's room and it was packed with people! Ms. Cook played host to several groups, one of which was drilling. Let's just say it was loud.

Our plan for tomorrow is to finalize an introduction card. 

Fitness Group KAR: 5/9/13

Today the KAR Fitness Group (Kris, Aerin, and Riana) worked on compiling the cards together, editing photos, and try to finish up the review of the directions for the exercises. We began and finished with the editing of the photos that we had in 2nd and 3rd period and decided what photos had to get photos retaken. Here are some of the photos I edited for the cards:

Kris doing Mt. Climbers

Jumping high for burpees!

Nice click for shuffle!

Let's finish it off with skaters!

Most of the editing of the photos was simply cropping the picture so it was centered on my teammates dong the exercises. We had to retake pictures for push ups and skiers, but that was it. We got to explore the nature trail when we had to find a patch of bright light to retake the photos. We got the instructions for the majority of our exercises done, plus the benefits. We compiled those and they are looking really good.

The plan for tomorrow is to look at the scripts for the videos and start planing out to film each one.  Also we may discuss the introduction card and video.

Mound Laser

Purpose of the trip:  The tenth grade class went to Mound Laser to help plant a bioswale in their garden out the building. We had to plant all the plants and spread mulch around the plants after we were done. This was part of the introduction to the trail and to give us some skills in planting plants before we plant things on our own trail.

What I did: I planted several things like tiger grass in dimples around a "stream". This process, which the whole tenth grade class did, created a bioswale in Mound Laser's landscaping, to help reduce water runoff from large storms and to create an appealing landscape. Here is a picture of a bioswale if you are unfamiliar with what one is:

From::www.nrcs.usda.gov

Guiding Principles: If I had to judge this project on three guiding principles, they would be education, conversation, and environmental impact.  The environmental impact and conservation would receive full marks and they do a great job at illustrating a bioswale.  However, the education principle would receive a point or two off because it is a great example of a bioswale, but several people do not know what a bioswale is. 
   
Reflection: This was a great opportunity to learn about bioswales and it was a great chance to learn a similar process of planting plants that are similar to what we will be planting on the trail. 

Job Shadowing 5/3/13

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.” -Steve Jobs

Today I visited Cornerstone Research Group, Inc. for job shadowing. This is a great opportunity to find something I love doing, with out taking the risk of having to commit to a job for years. There are several job paths for an aeronautical engineer potential student, but some of the jobs I have shadowed have not been a great fit and knowing from personal experience, have a job that makes you happy with give you a better mood and outlook on life. I am lucky to go to a school that allows us opportunities like this because like I said before, it is a no risk look at a job I may one day want to go in to.

This site was very interesting and I think it would be a great job for me in the future. There was a great need for aerospace engineers there and it would be the type of research I like. We made an electronic light up bug, a composite, and ice cream when we were on location. We met with several cool people who had degrees varying from chemical engineer to material engineering. It was really interesting and my favorite part of the day was spending time in the labs.

All the people we worked with that day loved their jobs and the benefits that came with their jobs. Some of them were even my Science Olympiad coaches. They each get flex time, meaning if they leave early one day, they can make it up the next day. This company offers co-ops for college kids and it would be a great way to learn about the company.

I would like to look into this job for my future. 

Field trip: on 3/26

FUN Field Trip Day!

Biology Class 5/2/13: LEECHES BEWARE!

Today in Biology was interesting. Today the tenth grade identify various macro-invertebrates that we found in our samplers.

The samplers we used are called Hester-Dendy samplers.These samplers have multiple plates bound together with a bolt and are put in the bottom of a stream. Our biology teacher bound them with string and bricks to to try to prevent them from floating away. Unfortunately, this did not work for several of the samplers. Here is a picture of a how the samplers look:metabolism

From:http://www.hesterdendy.com/

After we retrieved these yesterday, our biology teacher refrigerated them to slow down their metabolism. The next day, we retrieved them and took the plates apart. The plates were really hard to take apart, but luckily one of my classmates had pliers. When they came apart we found several  macro-invertebrates, and unfortunately, or  fortunately, if you like leeches, we found a giant leech. The leech was huge, and was very hard to remove from the bin we used to hold the plates. If you are unfamiliar with how leeches look here is a picture:

From:http://www.hirudolab.com/
So imagine this thing swimming incredibly fast and try to get it in a petri dish with a pipette and tweezers. Long story short, it took about five people to transfer it to the petri dish, then the vial of ethanol and then ending with me screwing the cap on. The leech did not die for awhile, but it looked kind of cool swimming in the vial. Truthfully, I do not like leeches and this experience re-enforced this feeling.

Hi Ms. Reid!