Volunteering Experiences

So, I just finished volunteering at the Bolsa Chica Conservancy for the second time, and it was pretty fun. We dug up ice plants that were harming the salt marsh, and planted new plants. It was very enjoyable...until it started to rain. Ice plants, by the way, are cold. Very cold. I swear I have pneumonia, or frost bite or something.
In other news, I get to go visit my fishies at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. The black sea bass got fed to some wold eels, and that I am very happy about considering the little punks bit me twice. Feeding carnivorous fish has it's downsides. Anyways, I will commence my plankton-tows for science fair tomorrow, and try not to get eaten by anything.

Revised Independent Component

I am hoping to complete my independent component at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, in San Pedro. I've finished ten hours already, and I'm already in the system for the aquarium.
While volunteering, they had me clean tanks, install tanks, feed jellyfish, and tidy up around the research facility. I really enjoy working with the people there, because they're around my age, but they have so much knowledge regarding marine life, and the components that I want to study.
I'm thankful to Elijah for allowing me to do the hours with him, and I will continue to post about my progress.

Blog 5b: Science Fair Proposal

1.) What is your topic?

• Marine Conservation Biology

2.) What is the driving problem behind your experiment and the quote by an expert to support this problem?

• Pollution in the ocean is the driving problem behind my experiment.
• "You wouldn't think you could kill an ocean, would you? But we'll do it in one day. That's how negligent we are."- Ian Rankin

3.) What is your hypothesis?

• If the pollution of the boat launch increases due to the anthropogenic activity, then the amount of zooplankton found in a plankton-tow would be less than the outer beach, which doesn't have as much outside pollution acting upon it.

4.) Write a paragraph summary of how you will perform the experiment.

• I would be collecting samples from the docks, and the outer beach, and comparing their salinity levels and the amount of zooplankton that I find.
• First, I'd go out to boat launch and collect data by doing a plankton-tow for Day 1. Then, I would go to the outer beach and collect data for Day 1 by doing a plankton-tow. Lastly, I would bring my data back to the lab, and test the waters using a refractometer, and then use the microscope to compare the amount of zooplankton found in the two different sites.

5.) Project Category

• Chemistry/ Ecology and Environmental Management

Possible Change in Topic

After discussing a few things with Mr. Purther, and Mrs. Pittman, I thought about changing my topic to environmental law. I realized that it might be even harder to find a mentor that works with environmental law, than a mentor that works with marine conservation. I have yet to decide on whether I will choose, but I'm sure I'll have the answer after my meeting with the teachers on Monday.

Blog 9: Working EQ and Possible Answers

1) What was the working EQ you used during your presentation?

• How can you effectively counter the anthropogenic effects dealt to the ocean?

2) Did you decide to revise your working EQ after your presentation?

• I have not yet decided to revise my working EQ. I was thinking about doing so, after one of my interviewees told me that there really isn't a way to reverse the damage that's already been done, but the only thing we can do is prevent further damage.

(3) What are possible answers to your current working EQ?

• Well, one of the best answers that I found was there isn't a way to counter the effects already done to the ocean, but we can prevent further damage.
• Another would be, making the problems that we're having more aware to people, so that they understand the critical nature of preserving the oceans.

Blog 8

Presentation Rough Draft

Blog 7: Independent Study Component

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

• For my independent study component, I plan on volunteering at the Santa Ana Watershed's Interpretive Center in Chino, CA. By volunteering/job shadowing there, I will increase my knowledge of conservation ecology, and give me more intel on how I can effectively pursue my interests.

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

• I think that my plan will reach the 30 hour requirement, because I will be on-site at an interpretive facility, job shadowing Brett Mills, hopefully, and he is a Biological Technician whose specialty is endangered fish that are in the Santa Ana Watershed. Depending on what I'll be doing at the Interpretive Center, that will determine how much I get out of volunteering there. If my time there does not meet the 30 hours, then I will further my research on my own by walking along local beaches effected by oil spills and gather any items that I can.

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

• My working EQ is "What is the one of the most important things you can do to help preserve the earth's natural beauty?", and my independent study component relates to my EQ because one of the most important things you can do is get informed on what exactly happens when our oceans are polluted and the negative effects it has on humanity.

  

Second Interview Questions

Interview Questions:

• When you were younger, what did you think you were going to be when you were older? Did you fulfill that goal?
• What other things did you want to study?
• Is there any specific reason why you wanted to study marine biology?
• What did you major in college?
• What is the most exciting aspect of what you do?
• What is it exactly that you do in your field?
• What has been the most rewarding experience you've had in your career?
• If you could be have any other career or study a different field of marine science, would you?
• What is the most difficult part in being a marine biologist?
• How many years have you been studying marine biology?

Blog 4: Project Reflection and Working EQ

(1) Positive Statement: What positive thing has happened as a result of what you have completed so far?

•  As a result of what I have completed so far, I got a better understanding of what it is that my senior project will be on. With the help of a few books, and my interviewee, I realized that I can't study Marine Biology as a whole, but need to focus on a subset of it. I've decided that I'm going to focus more on Marine Conservation Biology which focuses more on ecology and protecting the ocean ecosystems.

(2) EQ Content:  Pick a piece of research or your interview.  How has it helped you improve your understanding of your topic?

• My interview with a professor of Biological Sciences at Cal State Long Beach helped me understand my topic better. I told him that I wanted to study pollution and different ways to help bodies of water affected by it, and Dr. Lowe, my interviewee, told me that pollution is too broad and vague of a topic to study and he said that I should focus more on the conservation aspect of marine life. So, therefore, I have decided to focus on marine conservation biology, which is the study of conserving physical and biological marine resources and ecosystem functions.

(3) What has worked for you so far in the senior project?

• Contacting different professors and teachers at iPoly is what has helped me the best. Seeking the help that I need and finding out new contacts has worked best for me so far. For instance, I talked to Elijah Armendariz and he said that a freshman teacher at iPoly, Ms. Cancino, would be a really good contact regarding ecology. So, he took me to her classroom and she told me to contact some juniors that had contacts at Long Beach Aquarium that could help me with research.

  (4) What hasn't worked so far?

•  Well, there haven't really been any problems with my senior project, but the biggest thing that has been trouble is the research checks. The work isn't hard, but I can never find articles that are suitable for the checks. Most of the articles that I find are blurbs and blurbs aren't accepted after the first research check. The only thing I can do is go to more reliable sites and specific topic pages.

(5) Finding Value:  Based on your experience so far:

- What possible question or questions come to mind regarding what you would like to study this year (don't list questions about the instructions relating to the senior project)? 

-What is your end goal this year with your senior project (don't say get a good grade or gain knowledge, put specific things you want to accomplish in your senior project this year)?

-Who would you like to talk to you next? Why?

• Some possible questions I have thought about regarding marine conservation biology are what are the reactions different animals have to different solutions? Does pollution have the same effect on all marine life? Or do some animals have protective skin or chemicals in their bodies that render the effect's useless?
• My goal by the end of this year with my senior project is to have done a lot of in the field type of service learning. I've been researching different institutes and organizations that offer marine biology training courses and have contacted the facilities on whether I would be able to do so. I would also like to be a semi-experienced diver and have a better understanding of the ocean's effect on the atmosphere and climate.
• The next person I would like to talk to would be the junior that Ms. Cancino told me about. The reason is because Ms. Cancino said that the junior has contacts at Long Beach Aquarium that would be useful to me regarding finding a mentor and furthering my research.

  

 

SF Blog A: Problem Statement

1.) Topic: Marine Biology

2.) Problem: What will you do when you solve the problem?

• One of the biggest problems dealing with marine biology, is the pollution of the waters and beaches. Oil spills, and toxic waste are killing organisms and bleaching the beaches which makes it near to impossible for marine life to find safe places on the beach. The pollution is not only a problem to the fish, but to people as well. If I figure out how to solve the pollution problem, or just offer ideas to scientists, I would spread the word to different organizations that strive to protect the ocean and it's creatures.

3.) Problem: What will you do when you solve the problem?

• Another problem regarding marine biology is the oxygen capacity that divers and marine biologists can hold when going into the ocean. To solve this problem, I would have to study the devices that divers use right now and search any other devices from around the world to see  if any other countries have better equipment or techniques that would be helpful. If I do solve the problem, I would take my idea to major marine biology organizations and sell them the product idea.

Interview Preparation

1. Who do you plan to interview? Why?

• I had planned on attempting to interview USC professors: Jed Fuhrman, Dennis Hedgecock, Dale Kiefer, and Cornelius Sullivan, but I have yet to receive any emails or calls back. I also contacted the Ocean Institution in Dana Point, CA, but they have not gotten back to me either. The reason why I contacted these people is because they were semi-local and their names popped up in my research, so I figured that they would be perfect for my interviews. I will continue to search for people that I can contact for interviews. 

2. You have to ask 5 questions.  What additional questions do you plan to ask?

• What was the reason you chose to do this as a career?
• When you were younger, did you have any other ideas for what you wanted to do when you got older?
• What is the most exciting aspect of being a marine biologist?
• Based on what I've told you, do you recommend any other marine science fields besides marine biology?
• What is your fondest memory since being in the field?

 

Blog 2: Topic Choice

A. What is your topic and why?

• I recently changed my topic from politics to marine biology. I chose marine biology, because it has been a passion of mine since I was six years old. The main aspect about marine biology that fascinates me the most, is the flawless beauty of the undersea world. I would like to study how the different parts of a marine ecosystem interact and compliment one another, while also studying the sea life's most exotic creatures. The most amazing part is not the scenery itself, but the simple fact that all creatures bright and beautiful, the Lord God made them all. Before my first year of college, I plan on studying marine biology abroad in Australia, and then returning to the U.S. to receive my degree in marine science.

B. And what do you hope to accomplish this year with this topic?

• iPoly Citizen: I plan to do all work as independently as possible, and turn all portions of the project in on-time. I will display the global impact that marine biology has on the earth, and the environment. I understand that failing to be an adamant iPoly citizen, will not only have a negative effect on my peers, but will reflect negatively on my personal being as well. Keeping these ideals in mind will help me become a better iPoly citizen, because I know how I'm supposed to act and respect others.
•  Effective Communicator: I plan to voice my opinion and questions I may have to my teachers and fellow students to benefit my own development, as well as my senior project. There is no shame in asking questions regarding an assignment, especially if it will benefit your learning. This will make me a more effective communicator, because I will know how to demonstrate the importance of working interdependently, and communicate with my peers when I need help, or to offer help as well.
• Effective Learner: I plan to contact different specialists on my topic choice, without any help from any one else. I will be self-determined to find the best research possible to increase the quality of my senior project. This relates to me improving my iPoly citizenship, because I am assuming responsibility for my own learning, and expressing my topic in a creative way.
• Effective User of Technology: I plan to incorporate technological features into my senior project to increase the quality, and the understanding of what my topic is about. This will help me become a more effective user of technology by requiring me to study new topics and look for technologocally related sources to marine biology.

Blog 1: Summer Mentorship

Literal (Know):

• Mentorship Log and Contact Info

Literal (Need to Know):

• Why is it important to keep your district office organized?
• Why is having a friendly staff important when it comes to your constituents?
• What is the importance of keeping your contacts updated?
• How important is it to make sure you're on a good basis with your supporters and constituents?
• Why is getting a bill passed so hard?
• How can you make sure that the bill you're writing will benefit the community?

Interpretive:

• From this experience, I've realized the importance of organization and teamwork. When an assemblymember is hosting different community events, and trying to reel in constituents to support their district, making sure that all elements of the event are organized and that your representatives are cooperating together are key in gaining support. While working in the office, I noticed that all of the consultants were constantly calling each other, verifying different information. This type of communication and cooperation showed me how big of a necessity teamwork is in a district office, and the lesson of organization not only helped me realize the importance of it school-wise, but personal-wise as well.

Applied:

• From the time spent volunteering at the district office, I learned a few important lessons regarding organization, teamwork, and patience, but I'm not sure if this helped me choose my topic. My two passions in life, and what I want to study in college, is Marine Biology and Law. Although these two choices are not even in the same category, they're both something I'd like to pursue. So, because of my desire to do both, I will volunteer at different marine science establishments in my free time, and make my choice then.