Self Reflection

(1) How do you think you are doing so far in your senior project and why?  

• I Think I'm doing well. I'm completing most, if not all, of my work. The work I don't do can be chalked up to my  scatter-brained forgetfulness, which, coincidentally, has been kept under relatively good control. I've been putting many of my assignments on my phone and remembering that  way. The blog has also been instrumental in my organization. Over all I would think that I'm doing solid P work.

(2) What one thing do you think you have done well on and why?

• One of the things that I've been doing well on is my service learning and independent project. I had my service learning from almost the second week and I think that has really helped me stay apace or ahead of the game. I know many people are still struggling with their service learning and I'm glad that I don't have to deal with that stress on top of the already stressful work.

(3) What is one thing you would like to improve on and why?

• One of the things I would like to improve on is my physical organization. Last binder check I was scrambling to get everything organized and ready. I don't like that feeling and stress. If I could minimize that by simply being more organized that would be great. So putting papers where they need to go and things like that. 

Science Fair Proposal

1. What is your hypothesis?

• My hypothesis is: If an object of larger mass is dropped on to a trampoline, it will bounce higher than an object of smaller mass dropped from a higher height.

2. Identify the dependent (produced), independent (manipulated) and control variables in your hypothesis. 

• The dependent variable is the final height of the object. The independent variable is the mass and initial height of the object. The control variable will be the trampoline used

3. What is the connection between your science fair project and your senior project EQ?

• My science fair project will help to create a better understanding of the workings of the "floor" in gymnastics. The "floor" of a gym is specially made with springs and padding. By achieving a better understanding of the workings of a floor, a gymnast can better understand how to achieve better height and control while preforming routines. Thus becoming a better gymnast. 

4. How will you perform the experiment?  Include the equipment you plan on using.

1. I will set of a camera in front of a trampoline. A yard stick will be in the shot for reference  Then ill begin to drop object of increasing mass onto the trampoline off of a set height. Increase the height of the drop. Then maybe real life application with people with locked legs. (So they don't jump and increase the force being applied to the trampoline)  
• A camera 
• Yardstick 
• Object (most likely balls) of increasing mass
• a trampoline 
• 2 platforms 
• volunteers

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.)

1. Physics 

What I've leaned so far

1) What have you learned how to do since you started working on your senior project

• I wouldn't call it learn how to do but since I've started my service learning my back hand springs have become much better

2) What research helped you to do this and how?

• Because I'm coaching gymnastics, I have to give plenty of demonstrations of the basic exercises as well as the final project, namely back hand springs. (thats what my class is working on at the moment)    Because I'm constantly demonstrating and practicing for my individual component, my BHS have become much cleaner and efficient. By cleaner I mean nicer looking and by efficiency I mean able to conserve more energy which is then used in the following trick.

Independent Component 1 Plan Approval

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

1. My independent Component will be practicing gymnastics, every week, two times a week, for an hour and a half. 

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

1. My gym has an open gym class where you can work on what ever you need, with some assistance. I'll need 10 weeks to get the thirty hours I need for the independent component. 

How does your independent study component relate to your EQ?   

1. I'll be practicing gymnastics so and that will help me become a better gymnast, relating to me essential question

Blog 6

My essential question is What is most important to being a competitive gymnast?
By most important I mean the contributing factors that allow you to become a competitive gymnast. By competitive gymnast I mean someone who is good enough (at all the events) to compete at their age level. Some possible answers for my EQ could be: training, practice, determination, and courage.My most important source so far would have to be my service learning person, Monique, who also happens to be my second interviewee. She's my gymnastics coach.

2nd Interview

For my second interview I will be interviewing Monique Wiesmuerll. Monique has been practicing and teaching gymnastics for many years and has amassed a large mass of knowledge. Because this interview is about  the background of the person, I think Monique would be a good candidate for this interview. Some of the questions I'm thinking about asking are:

1. How long have you been doing gymnastics?
2. How did you start learning gymnastics ?
3. What was your favorite/best event?
4. How long have you been teaching gymnastics ?
5. Did you do any other type of gymnastics other than artistic?

Presentation Reflection

In what way did the first interview affect your presentation?  Please explain, be specific and use an example.

• The First interview made me realize that I had to completely switch the topic of the five min presentation. Initially I was going to do it on the various events in competitive gymnastics but then i realized how vital that information would be during later presentations and decided to save it. 

What you say stood out about your presentation performance and why?

• I would say my mumbling would have probably stood out. I tend to mumble and talk rather quickly and quietly, so when I was presenting I'm sure that was happening.

Also, I think I put too much emphases on the fact that death and or grievous injury could be a problem when playing on the equipment.
What challenges did you faced and why?

• I think the biggest challenge I faced during the presentation was my speech and the fact that I had to make my poster a school the night before instead of making a run to the crafts store. I didnt get to make it the way I wanted it with the materials that I needed. I had to make due with the things on hand. 

Senior Project Presentation One

To explain the different events practiced in gymnastics

1. Asking  if anyone has ever practice a specific event or even gymnastics at all
2. A Brief listing of the different events
3. A more in depth explanation of each event (Men's)

• Floor
• High Bar
• Parallel Bars
• Vault
• Rings 
• Pommel Horse 

Check for Understanding: I'll ask a random person or persons to describe an event

Materials

1. Poster board with events on it

Who to interview

I am going to be interviewing My old gymnastics coach. I've known her since I was about five or six and she's always been helpful. She's been coaching gymnastics for a long time so she has an amassed knowledge of competitions  and what it takes to get in shape. I think she'd be a good person to interview. In addition to asking her the standard questions, I plan on asking her about her background in Gymnastics. All I know is that she came from Germany, I don't know how she leaned or got into gymnastics. I also plan on asking her about the training and practice required to become a good gymnast.

Senior Project topic.

My senior topic is going to be gymnastics. Gymnastics is something that I've done since I was small. I was never very serious about it; only going to weekly classes and never actually joining the team. Recently, Iv'e been going rarely and sporadically. I keep telling myself  "Ok I don't have anything to do this week so I might as well go to gymnastics." but I never actually do. Because my service learning hours will be at the gym, it will be easier to get back into the flow of gymnastics. I think it'll be a fun and enlightening experience.  By completing this project I hope to rekindle my interest in going, as well as learning more about what it takes to compete successfully.