Blog 19: Senior Project and ESLRs

1. I think I have excelled the most in the "Effective Learner" ESLR.
2. One of the subsets for "Effective Learner" is "expresses personal creativity". At the aquarium I volunteer at, I'm always trying to find out different ways to help the aquarium, or introduce something new. A while ago, I conducted a plankton-tow for science fair, and I found a mysterious hydromedusa in my water. The aquarists hadn't seen anything like it before and told me that I could possibly raise it. I like to explore the beach on my own to see if I can find anything interesting, and in the past week, Elijah and I have managed to save the aquariums wolf eel population. We were collecting crabs for the octopus, and I was being curious and discovered a colony of pregnant ghost shrimp, ideal food for the wolf eel eggs. The aquarium was very thankful for what we had done, and I felt proud of myself for saving the wolf eels.
3. This is a picture of a sea hare that I found while exploring the tide pools. 

Blog 18: 2-Hour Meeting Answer 3

1. EQ- How can scientists effectively reduce the anthropogenic effects dealt to the ocean?
2. To reduce the anthropogenic activity being dealt to the ocean, the government needs to create better legislation on boating and dumping regulations.
3. According to Scripps Institute of Oceanography, anthropogenic activity has caused a huge increase in salinity levels, which is very important when it comes to the circulation of water.
4. Insidescience.org
5. I plan on studying the other types of effects that we're having on the ocean, and seeing if there is any regulation against them.

Blog 16: 2-Hour Meeting Answer #2

1. EQ- How can scientists effective reduce the anthropogenic activity dealt to the ocean?
2. "The best way to reduce the amount of pollution we allow into the ocean is monitoring. Without information, what can we improve?" - Andres Carrillo
3. 
   This graph shows the average number of trash items counted for several years along a popular 7-mile stretch of Mustang Island Gulf Beach, Texas. Beverage cans are single drink containers and include plastic bottles; chemical containers are 5-gallon pails and drums of chemicals; green bottles are bleach bottles from Mexico (common on Texas beaches); egg cartons and milk jugs are standard grocery items.
   A lot of medical waste and other floatable debris were constantly coming ashore in New York and New Jersey, so the Medical Waste Tracking Act was passed in 1988.
   If the levels of pollution that enter the ocean are most closely monitored, then we would be able to see when the levels were getting out of hand, and then do something about it.
4. The NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council)
5. I plan to continue my study of answer 2 by researching the current measures we're taking to monitor the levels of pollution, and the type of pollutants that are being found more often.

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 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.