ESLR Check

1. This semester, I have been an effective learner by taking good notes in all my classes and paying attention instead of doing other work in class. I've learned to also stop procrastinating as much, because more homework and Senior Project along with Young Scholars has been a lot to do. To me, being an effective learner just means trying your hardest to understand and work on the content being taught, which is what I have been doing. Not to mention I've had perfect attendance this semester, and haven't missed anything important.

2. Senior Project has made me more of an effective learner because all the work and research has taught me to not only do the work for a grade, but to do it because of the want for knowledge. Sometimes I will get extra research for a research check because I feel that I could be learning more, and I also take an interest in my project because of the fact that it is self guided.

3. Next semester, I will continue to be an effective learner by doing all my work when it is assigned, and continuing to take notes in my classes. I will also ask for help more often whenever I don't understand a topic, and help my fellow classmates if they need it. This semester, I didn't do a great job of keeping important dates written down in my agenda, because I would forget about something until the day before it was due, so I can do a better job of keeping track of important due dates.

Interview 3 Questions

1. How important is choreography in a display?
2. Can you tell me about how larger and smaller displays differ?
3. What are some of the larger shows you have done?
4. How do you figure out which shells to fire at what time? Is there a script?
5. How closely do operators work with choreographers? Their clients? Fire Marshals?
6. What problems did you face in gaining your license?
7. How important is a license to transport hazmat? How did you get yours?
8. What are some problems that have occurred in any of your previous displays? Why did they happen and what did you and your crew do to fix them?
9. Do you see the pyrotechnic industry as growing or becoming less important in the future?
10. Based on your personal experience, what defines a successful display?

10 Hour Service Learning Check

1. My service learning mentor is Robert Bronner, a licensed pyrotechnic operator for Pyro Spectacular.

2. Mostly, I just shadow, because you have to be 18 to handle product. During some 1.4G (consumer fireworks) shows, however, I can get hands on experience with the fireworks. Also, I work as a spotter, standing outside of the fallout zone watching for duds and recording their location. This helps me to get an idea of what this field is like.

3. I've learned a lot about the technical specifications that need to be followed along with the social aspects of dealing with clients.

Independent Study Update

1) I have chosen to attend seminars on pyrotechnics 101, 201, and 301 presented by licensed operators of Pyro Spectacular, and to help them with their shows as well.

2)This is related to my EQ because it helps me understand what is important in doing shows. The instructors talk about the importance of safety, how shells work, and a lot more.

3) So far, I have attended pyro 101, and have learned the basics. The next seminar will be in April, and I will be 18 by then, and able to help in shows. My next step is to find a sooner seminar to get more hours done quickly.

What I've Learned So Far

1) In regards to my senior project, I have learned a lot about the composition of many different fireworks, how and when they are effectively used, and a lot of the specific safety requirements that need to be observed under California law. I learned all this from an introductory class I took, the certificate is shown below.

Defining your Essential Question

1) What is the most important aspect that contributes to a successful pyrotechnic display?

2)  Most important aspect: The aspect that is of the greatest significance in terms of contributing to success.

Successful: Obtaining a desired or positive outcome.
 
Pyrotechnic display: Mainly fireworks put together in a sequence to go along with music or another guide.

3) Safety, occasion and choreography.

4) So far my most important source is my second interview with licensed pyrotechnician Robert Bronner of Pyro Spectacular.

Interview 2 Questions

1. What was it about pyrotechnics that made you want to have a career in it?
2. How long have you worked in the pyrotechnic industry and who do you work for?
3. What kind of work do you do when it comes to creating displays?
4. What college did you go to, and what did you major in?
5. What classes or subjects should I study to get a better understanding of pyrotechnics?
6. Is this your ideal job, or would you want to do something else?
7. Has any of your work been accredited or awarded somehow?

Essential Question

What is most important to consider in creating a successful pyrotechnical display?

a) This question is open ended as many answers such as safety, aesthetics, and multiple others could be brought up and defended.
b) This question allows you to take a stance because the phrase most important allows for a broad range of answers, many of which could be argued to be the most important aspect.
c) The framework for studies includes chemistry involved in making the pyrotechnic devices, engineering required in creating precise equipment, and physics/math in timing of the display.

5 Minute Presentation Reflection

What would you say stood out about your presentation performance and what was most challenging to do and why?

I would say that my opening question was what stood out and got more people interested, since I used specific examples and didn't ask too broad of a question like, "Who knows what nanotechnology is?". The most challenging part of my presentation was trying to condense what I had to say to fit into 5 minutes, since I had to cut out some of the less interesting (but still critical) parts.

Interview 1 Reflection

What is the most important thing I learned from this interview and why?

This interview was on of the main reasons i decided to change my topic from AI to nanotechnology and materials engineering. While I was talking to my interviewee, I realized that my previous topic wasn't as interesting as I thought it was. It was very confining, not as closely integrated with computer science as I thought, and I did not want to have to study it for a whole year. This was important because it made me realize what I really wanted to study.

5 Minute Presentation

Objective:
Students will learn the basics of nanotechnology and how it is used. They will also learn basic engineering terms.

Procedure:
1) Introduce myself and my topic.
2) Define nanotechnology and give some of its general uses.
3) Explain some applications of nano with regards to commercial uses and explain some simple engineering terms.
4) Conclude and ask questions.

Check for Understanding:
I will ask questions at the end to see if students understand. I will also ask questions during my explanations to see if anyone is lost.

Resources/Materials:
I will use a poster maybe the size of a normal 8.5 x 11 inch piece of paper with drawings of nanomaterials and its commercial/industry uses.

Interview Check

Who are you interviewing and why?

I am planning on interviewing Dr. Daisy Tang, a professor in Cal Poly Pomona's Computer Science field. Seeing as she is teaching a class on Artificial intelligence, and is teaching in computer sciences, I believe she will be a valuable source and will know a lot about my topic.

What other questions do you want to ask at your interview?

Aside from the assigned questions, I want to ask Dr. Tang about expert systems, how they function, and why the topic seems to be growing at such a rapid rate.

Service Learning