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.