Week 5: Day 3

Today I started writing up the report from all the information I gathered last class and at home. There were still some questions I needed to ask, however. The project, overall, is coming well.

However, I was not able to finish this at home due to some issues like the bombing. I can guarantee that it will be done next week.

Week 5: Day 2

As a result of last class, today I got the idea for the project. I'm modeling it after trees. I started designing a self assembly system that would make humans able to convert sunlight into food like plants. I did all the necessary research today.

Week 5: Day 1

Today in class there were also some technical difficulties that prevented me from using the simulation in the first part of class. When I got it on, however, I understood the content and was able to finish everything in the simulation with complete comprehension.

At home I brainstormed ideas to build a self-assembly system that would be beneficial to the society. I look forward to starting the project.

Plan for Week 5

Day 1

In Class: Finish Self-Assembly systems simulation (questions and explanations that can't be done at home)

At Home: Review and start designing own self-assembly. 

Day 2

In Class: Continue (what could not be done at home).

At Home: Finish the self-assembly.

Day 3

In Class: Review (if project not done, finish).

At Home:  Done with unit; will continue reviewing and take the test.

Week 4

For this week I decided to do a rather lengthy review of the entire week in one post. This is because of the technical issues in this week, causing a delay of work and nothing much happened in the whole week as I had liked it to.

In this week's first two days I had done some worksheets in which I did not entirely understand but I could do to some point. There is not much to say about the worksheets. I also went over previous things we learnt in case I forgot.

Final exams are coming up soon as well. I'm looking forward to seeing the quizzes be posted on Moodle, as well as the Final Exam study guide. I think we need to start studying for all of that.


I also helped my classmates in some of their lab reports, since we did them together and they may have been missing some parts. Also, I have helped with the intermolecular forces lab. I went over it, especially on the second day, because I thought we would have done the final project on that.

The self-assembling simulation was not ready on the first day nor the second day. However, the third day I was able to use the simulation and studied it all through class and a bit at home.

Plan for Week 4

Day 1

In Class: Do Self-Assembly systems simulation

At Home: Finish simulation and some worksheets. 

Day 2

In Class: Ask any questions about the worksheets in Moodle folder.

At Home: Do 'Nuclear Review' worksheet.

Day 3

In Class: Plan project. Start project.

At Home:  Continue project.

More details on day three later.

Week 3: Day 3

Today it turns out the lab is canceled and we did not need to do it. However, there's a part of the intermolecular forces experiment I wasn't completely done yet, so I finished it. I also helped some of my classmates in their experiments in the time left.

Later in class I asked questions about the worksheets, in particular the half life one in which I did not completely understand.

At home I organized my plan for the next few weeks and completed this blog. I finished some of the worksheets that I could understand.

Week 3: Day 2

Today I did the intermolecular forces lab. It reinforced what I already knew and gave me some information I missed. The lab today was especially useful in letting me visualize the science behind polar and non-polar bond and how to find out the strength of electronegativity.

At home I went over the things I learnt in class today and organized it for future reference. I also completed questions that I did not finish in class regarding the sheet.

Week 3: Day 1

Today I did the 3D modeling lab; I got everything pretty fine. I just needed clarification with the shapes of the molecules i.e. pyramidal.

At home I finished the modeling lab parts that did not require the actual ball and reflected over what I learnt.

Plan For Week 3

Day 1

In Class: Modeling Lab: Drawing Lewis diagrams and predicting polarity using 3D molecular models.

At Home: Check over work. 

Day 2

In Class: Investigating Intermolecular Forces

At Home:  Finish Investigating Intermolecular Forces.

Day 3

In Class: Lab: Properties of ionic and covalent molecules to compare the strength of bonds.

At Home: Check over work.

Week 2: Day 3

Today I planned to do another lab, but the equipment wasn't ready. That was fine; I needed to work a bit more on editing my lab report and discussing it with my lab partners. In addition, I also discussed the worksheets, but didn't start to seriously do any except for the lewis dot diagram worksheet.

At home I finished the lewis dot diagram worksheet and tried to complete the lab report, but my internet was having problems. I won't spend more class time on it, though.

Week 2: Day 2

Today I did the frizzy drink lab that I originally planned to do last class. At our first attempt we messed it up because we did too many things at once. However, once I got extra helpers in it was successful in our second attempt. I spent the rest of the class organizing data and interpreting it.

At home I wrote up the data part of the lab report, complete with uncertainties. I couldn't do the analysis part due to the fact that my internet was down afterwards and stayed down until a few days later.

Week 2: Day 1

Today I spent the duration of science class sitting in a hospital and was not able to do any work. However, when I went home at night I was able to review my stuff and take a look at the worksheets. I originally planned to do the frizzy drink lab today, but obviously I was unable to.

Plan for Week 2

Day 1

In Class: Do the Fizzy Drink Lab.

At Home: Finish writing the lab report. 

Day 2

In Class: Lab: Properties of ionic and covalent molecules to compare the strength of bonds.

At Home: Finish writing the lab report.

Day 3

In Class: Modeling Lab: Drawing Lewis diagrams and predicting polarity using 3D molecular models.

At Home:  Finish writing the lab report.

Week 1: Day 3

Today I could not do the lab because the materials are not ready yet. Instead, when class started, I discussed what I did for homework last time with my classmates to gain some new insight and opinions, as well as to clarify and ambiguous things. Next, I finished watching and taking notes on all the videos; this class I watched two: Electromagnetivity and intermolecular forces.

It was new to me how they explained the ionic bond is technically merely a strong polarized covalent bond (more than roughly 1.7, but not always the case as shown with C and Li). I would like a strength value of electromagetivity chart.

At home I did the polarity simulation and looked over the questions that come with the sheet.

Week 1: Day 2

Today in class I watched the half life video. I found the theory of an atom decaying very interesting, especially that there is no set amount of change; rather, it depends on probability. Over time, there will still be that small infinitesimal amount of the original atom left, despite most changing to another.

I also did the allotropes investigation. This is a new concept for me as I never knew that the atoms can exist in different forms in the same element. I did not finish answering the questions, though, and I did that for homework.

The magnetism test went fine; I understood the questions I missed and why I missed them. Some I was equivocal about and put the wrong answer in.

At home I watched video #7: Ionic, covalent, and metallic bond as well as Video #8: Lewis Dot diagrams and took notes on them.

Week 1: Day 1

Today in class I took the Magnetism test. On the whole I feel I did rather well.

At home, I seriously started on the new unit.

I opened up the Decay simulation, but when I saw it I felt it would be better to have some background knowledge before trying it out seriously. So I went to the video. I already skimmed through it once, but now I took notes. When organized, it's very easy to wrap your head around it. There are three main ideas:

1. Alpha Decay: 2 neutrons and 2 protons are emitted from the nucleus of the atom to make it more stable. Mass decreased by four. (P - 2, N - 2)
2. Beta Decay: A neutron emits an electron, thus turning into a proton. The mass stays the same, but it's a new element. (P + 1, N - 1)
3. Gamma Decay: The particles rearrange themselves, causing waves of high frequency to be released.
4. Positron Emission: A proton emits a prositon (electrons with positive charge) and turns to a neutron as a result. Mass the same (P - 1, N + 1)

I went back to the simulation afterwards and understood it a bit better. One thing I noticed is the half-life line is not very significant in determining the time of change of a nuclei, even though the probability is to change is 50% there.

NEW UNIT: Plan for Week 1

For this unit, I have hopes that I will complete it early. Unlike the last unit, I know to best way to proceed and avoid tarrying.

Day 1

In Class: Take the Magnetism test

At Home: 

1. Do the simulation (Activity #1 on the outline). 
2. Watch the Nuclear Decay video. Take notes.

Day 2

In Class: 

1. Watch Half Life Video. 
2. Do Allotropes investigation. 
3. Review Magnetism test.

At Home:

1. Watch Videos
1. Ionic, Covalent, and Metallic Bond (Video #7)
2. Lewis Dot Diagrams (Video #8)

Day 3

In Class: Fizzy Drink Lab

At Home: Continue writing Lab Report

Week 18: Day 2

Today I did not feel adequately ready for the test, so I decided to hold off for one day so I can have the weekend to study. There are a few other people taking the test soon as well, and studying in a group also gave me some new insight. I produced a study guide today as well as continuing my work on the new unit: watching videos, or just skimming through them.

At home, I decided to study for the test. I also continued skimming through another video.

There will be more details on the new unit next week, after I take the test. There will be a concrete plan and detailed explanation.

Week 18: Day 1

Today I studied for the test a bit, but I decided to look into the new unit too.

I started watching the videos; I just skimmed through them first without taking notes. I find it easier that way because you'll have background knowledge first and then watch it again to really pay attention to the key points.

At home I continued doing that.

Plan for Week 18

Day 1

In Class: Study for test (in case there are questions needed to be answered in class). Look at new unit.

At Home: Start new unit.

Day 2

In Class: Take Test.

At Home: Continue new unit.

Similar to last one week; this time magnetism test. More information on new unit after I finish the test.

Week 17: Day 2

Today I took the test. It wasn't that hard or lengthy, but I had to complete it the next morning because I started a bit late.

I finished my outline for the next unit at home.

Week 17: Day 1

Today I studied for the test. The reason I had to do this in class is because I had to ask questions. So I flipped the unit start to at home. Nothing much to report; there's just reviewing the stuff.

At home I planned how I was going to do the unit. I decided to watch all the videos first; the last unit I did the simulations first and wasted time.

Plan for Week 17

Day 1

In Class: Study for test (in case there are questions needed to be answered in class).

At Home: Continue studying for test, look at new unit.

Day 2

In Class: Take Test.

At Home: Continue planning next unit.

There are only two class days; the other are weekends and work there will be included in the "at home" section of both days.

Week 16: Day 3

Today in class we practiced presenting the poster for the project in the science fair. We made sure every body knows every bit of it, especially Moh, who is going to be the main presenter. We ran through our presentation and asked each other questions regarding how we built the generator and the science behind it.

At home, during break, I worked on the wind generator written report, which took up a considerable amount of time to perfect it.

Week 16: Day 2

Today it turns out we could take the test when break ends after all; so I decided to take it then because I do not feel fully prepared right now. The internet was down, which was a nuisance because we couldn't really do anything. I was looking up extra practice sheets online when the connection became faulty.

 However, there's the written report to do. Fahd didn't do it, so I started it by myself and hopefully will finish it soon. I continued it at home.

Week 16: Day 1

Today it turns out Fahd did the written report a bit wrongly; he's going to fix it and I'll look over it next class like along with the studying (if I get the review sheets).

Today both in class and at home I finished the poster. In class, I added necessary information such as benefits, future use, variables changed, and how it could have been better. I also added a diagram William found of how it works.

At home, I did the decorations as well as the editing of lab reports you just gave back.

Plan for Week 17

Day 1

In Class: Work on Poster

At Home: Finish Poster

Day 2

In Class: Study for test

At Home: Continue Study

Day 3

In Class: Take Test. (If enough time)

At Home: Break. Start next unit?

Week 16: Day 3

Again, today we are hindered by the fact that we had no internet. There needs to be some extra information (such as models of how it works compared to ours) that needs the internet. Viktoria did print out a model of the simulation; however, it wasn't appropriate to be used since that was water powered.

Despite this, we made a lot of progress on the poster. We only have to include some more key words and rehearse it before we are done. It would also be nice to decorate the poster and make it look attractive.

William and I will do everything requiring Internet for homework.

Week 16: Day 2

It turns out we're going to do the project for the science fair, and Moh suggested we should get a poster to help present it. Taking this seriously would require us to organize our ideas and putting only the key words on the poster. At first I was against the idea of a poster as it will draw attention away from us; we are the presenters, not the poster. However it was a good idea so we started working on it in addition to other parts of the project.

We discussed several ways to present the poster and got started on it. Each person drew up lists of things we need to put under each key point (listed in last post). We organized them on the poster. The only thing left is to put everything on there. By the time I finished continuing it as homework, it was halfway done.

Week 16: Day 1

Today I looked at the movie advertisement done over the weekend. There were a few problems with it that the group had, so we fixed it. Some of them include the movie being too long (over one minute) and being too dramatic. In addition, there's some tiny errors that needed to be fixed as well as some clips to switch around so it can look better.

As there is no internet, it was impossible to look at the written report. We would've started on the presentation if there was the written report as well. Instead we devoted more time to the movie and started planning our presentation for homework. Basically we needed to cover the key points:

-How it works (Science behind it)
-Future Use
-Benefits
-What could be done better
-Variables & things we fixed

Plan for Week 16

Day 1

In Class: Look at the movie and the written report and make any changes. Start presentation script.

At Home: Finish presentation script as well as any changes to movie/written report.

Day 2

In Class: Make any last minute changes, present the movie.

At Home: Study for test.

Day 3

In Class: Receive review sheet.

At Home: Finish review sheet. Get ready for test next week.

(How about the vocabulary?)

Week 15: Day 3

Fahd came back. Today I started filming the movie with Moh, as well as briefing Fahd on what has happened since he had gone. I helped him start off on some parts. It turns out there was a bit of misunderstanding with the written report, but it will be done by Monday as said. I will be editing and proofreading his first draft of the written report. I will be looking at Moh's progress over the movie advertisement as well.

Over the weekend I continued what I was doing in class.

Week 15: Day 2

Today I made the changes I thought about for homework last class. However, they still hardly produced any results on the multimeter, so I asked for help.

I saw how you moved the magnet back and forth over the copper wire with hardly any results, so I concluded that our wind generator has actually produced enough electricity and our results aren't that bad after all.

I spent the rest of the class collecting the ideas and the earlier failed drafts of the project into one, so that the written report can be easily done. I also worked with Moh on the script of the movie and how it's going to be directed.

I predict the script and the report will be done by Week 16: Day 1 and Day 2 we will be able to present. After this, I look forward to getting the review sheet to study for the test and getting the test done.

Week 15: Day 1

William's idea was a brilliant one, but unfortunately it was difficult to build and I decided to revert back to my second original model- with some modifications since last time it did not produce much results. This took much of the class.

Firstly, I changed the foam base to a wood one. I took out the fan and metal rod part and attached it to the wooden base with glue gun. Then I tested it again. However, the rod keeps moving back and forth, so we stuck a bit of foam to keep it from moving too much. The foam broke however so we used glue gun next, which was also ineffective. We finally decided on the rubber band, which was okay but did not work as well as I hoped.

Next, when I tested it again it still hardly produced any results. Therefore, I looked at places where could be possible problem spots. I thought it was because of the copper wire; while it was thick, there was tape around it to keep it from moving. The tape was an insulator, which may effect the energy flow. I removed that and used the coper wire itself to keep it from moving. However, that would mean that it wouldn't be in perfect loops. In the end I decided to use tape, but much less. I also made a smaller coil to test that. The results weren't very much different, though.

At this moment the period is already over, so at home I went over things that could've gone wrong and made adjustments to the copper wire and made the model a bit less shaky.

Plan for Week 15

(Due to some technical difficulties with blogspot I was unable to upload this in the beginning of the week)

This plan will be similar to Week 14's plans since I had to go back and do previous lab reports unexpectedly last week.

Day 1

In Class: Test the revised wind generator built. Find any faults and errors that can be fixed. Draft structure of movie and report. (Fahd, who is not here, will work most of the written report.)

At Home: Make modifications to the generator, if any.

Day 2

In Class: Final wind generator plan should be finished today. Test the wind generator again and prepare presentation.

At Home: Revise any errors and things needed to be changed in the generator.

Day 3

In Class: Check report and finish planning movie. Start filming.

At Home: Finish report and film and presentation.

Week 14: Day 3

Today I couldn't really work on the project in class due to the fact that we needed to go to the computer lab as there is no supervision. I checked my written report with my teammates for the circuits project and sent it to you. I looked for any faults in my lab reports. In addition, I reviewed my things to prepare for the test.

At home I prepared for the written part and the movie, but we can't actually do them until William finishes his new idea for the wind generator and test it.

Week 14: Day 2

Today I had to work on the essay and revise all my lab reports due to the fact that I forgot to add uncertainties. So instead of working on the project, I worked on my written part of the circuits project and all the lab reports. It took the whole class, and I also continued it at home for a couple of hours.

Week 14: Day 1

Today I brought my wind generator project. I attached the magnets to my new model and completed a more refined scale drawing of it that shows how it works. However, we do not have the means to operate it: a hair dryer.

Revised diagram:

William also had some new ideas that could be useful, so this may not even be our final diagram. We revised it again during class with his new ideas. He was able to make a lightbulb spark up, but it wasn't generated by wind.

Plan for Week 14

Day 1

In Class: Test the wind generator built. Find any faults and errors that can be fixed. Draft structure of movie and report.

At Home: Make modifications to the generator.

Day 2

In Class:  Test the wind generator again and prepare presentation.

At Home: Revise any errors and things needed to be changed in the generator.

Day 3

In Class: Check report and finish planning movie. Start filming.

At Home: Finish report and film and presentation.