Archives: Collaborate

AP Literature: Gingerbread House

For this project, we were tasked with creating a structure, like a gingerbread house,  displaying an important structure from a book. My partner and I decided to use Macbeth as our inspiration. Together, we built Dunsinane Castle, with scenes from the play included in the house, like a dollhouse. We built the scene with the feast and Banquo’s ghost out of pretzels and sourpatch kids. We included the outside environment by building Birnam Wood out of sourpatch kids and sprigs from a Christmas tree.

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Projectile Motion Inquiry Task

Personal Challenge: Prior to lab, choosing the proper UAM equation and how to derive for certain variables was confusing, especially in two-dimensional motion. During the completion of the lab, I was required to choose a UAM equation and derive for the variables of velocity and time.  Additionally, the task was on two-dimensional motion, which required me to understand the concepts of free-fall and horizontal velocity in the same problem. Additionally, the task required me to understand how to derive for variables using horizontal and vertical land.

Personal Growth: The lab made the concepts of free-fall and two-dimensional motion clearer by requiring me to use UAM equations to derive an equation to solve for a specific unknown. Additionally, the lab required me to write a lab report, which enlightened me in the necessary information required for a lab report and how to explain the steps for the deriving and collecting of data. Finally, the made it clearer how to design an experiment to solve a variable by collecting data and deriving an expression.

Link To Lab report

Link To Lab Video

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AP Research Reflection Post: Part 2

Name two strategies you used during the class that helped you manage your time and complete a task/goal on time. How did this help you stay on track or create a well-put-together section of the paper? Name two scenarios where you could have improved your time management or sought help for an issue you were facing. How will you learn from this and apply it to another class/scenario in the future?

In the beginning of the school year, I tried using a planner to organize my thoughts and plan out my schedule. This was quickly phased out as I never kept up with using the planner and relied on my memory to get assignments done on time. The biggest strategy I used to stay ahead with my project was to follow his due dates and not attempt to extend them. By following his guidelines and due dates I was able to complete my project without too much rush. I’m not the best at time management and actually procrastinate quite a bit, however I was able to complete all of the assignments on time. If I ever felt bored, I would use the time to analyze my data or sort through responses. When it came time to put together my paper, all of my sections had been completed by the time I got to spring break and it didn’t take too much effort to revise.

Like I mentioned earlier, my time management is not great. I decided to wait until after the ACT to start collecting my data, which was fine because I was still ahead for my project. The only issue was that I procrastinated going to stores and gathering data and didn’t have it finished until late March. This put me a little behind, but I was able to catch up again. I sought help after collecting my data on how to write my analysis. I truly did not understand what to put in the analysis or how to structure it. I asked my English teacher for her input. I did this once again when putting together my presentation. I was stressed about the order of the slides and the overall information that should be included.

This class has really taught me that I need to get better at managing my time and not procrastinating. While I would like to be able to keep a planner, I don’t think that it’d be the best option for me because I’d forget to update it or even look at it. Perhaps I should try sticking notes to my computer to help me remember what I need to complete. The aspect of time management is really necessary in all pf my classes considering that I am taking mostly APs and play sports. Additionally, I need to get better at asking questions and asking for help. It’s not that I don’t want help, but I can’t think of any questions to ask. Overall, I need to get better at managing my time and asking others for help.

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Speaking Out Project Advanced English 9

Frances Kissling writes, “Are we not capable of walking and chewing gum at the same time; of valuing life and respecting women’s rights?” The Roe vs Wade decision was a landmark Supreme Court case surrounding the topic of abortion and allowed abortions across the country. In the decision, the court split the pregnancy into three trimesters where different laws applied to each. In the first trimester, the state cannot regulate abortions, whereas, in the second, it may place some regulations. In the third trimester, it can regulate and outlaw abortions as long as the health of the mother is considered. In the following years, states have created regulations such as bans on partial-birth abortions and heartbeat bills, which have created controversies between pro-life and pro-choice activists. The Roe vs Wade decision protects women’s rights and health and should not be overturned because it is protected under the 14th amendment, is supported by a majority of Americans, and can affect the health
of women.

 In the Roe vs Wade decision, the Supreme Court Justices decided abortion’s place within the fourteenth amendment. When explaining the court’s decision, J. Shoshana Ehrlich said, “it had identified a right of privacy in a variety of contexts, including activities related to marriage, procreation, contraception, child-rearing, and education, the Court held that the “right of privacy … founded in the Fourteenth Amendment’s concept of personal liberty and restrictions upon state action … is broad enough to encompass a woman’s decision whether or not to terminate a pregnancy.” Based on cases reaching back as far as 1891, the court identified the parameters of a right to privacy and the place of abortion within the amendment. They decided that the right to privacy encompassed the right to abortion. These laws are similar to those protecting a patient’s right to refuse medical treatment. Although morally questionable, it is ultimately up to the patient. In an attempt to argue for the rights of a fetus, the state of Texas stated that denying a fetus life violated their fifth amendment rights of life, liberty, and property. In their decision, “…the Supreme Court ruled that embryos and fetuses have “potential human life,” but are not protected by the Constitution,” (Lee). Since the question of when life begins has been a long unanswered question, the Supreme Court was unable to grant a fetus constitutional rights. Due to this, all and any amendments that protect life are deemed obsolete for fetuses.

 Although overturning Roe vs Wade is a priority for many in positions of power, a majority of Americans voted against overturning the decision. According to Lydia Saad, “Forty years after the Supreme Court issued its opinion in Roe v. Wade, significantly more Americans want the landmark abortion decision kept in place rather than overturned, 53% to 29%.” The monumental case has made several headlines throughout the years due to new restricting state laws or plans to overturn the law. When the public is asked, however, it is clear that significantly more Americans do not want to see the case overturned. Many Americans have also distinguished themselves as pro-life or pro-choice activists. According to Lydia Saad, “…48% call themselves “pro-choice” and 44% “pro-life.” The results from the survey show the American publics’ thoughts on the issue. Although it is controversial and has been long debated for years, the American public does not want to see Roe vs Wade overturned.

 In the case that Roe vs Wade is overturned, the side effects will impact many women and families. Often, when abortion is illegal, women search for alternate methods of termination. This includes untrustworthy doctors, self-induced miscarriages, or suicide. These processes are done in unsanitary conditions and with no post-surgical care. According to Nancy Sprague, “When this happens, the potential complications are numerous and frightening: they include inflammation, infection, hemorrhage, kidney failure, infertility, and an increased tendency toward future miscarriages.” Treating complications have a large financial cost to society and the healthcare system and lead to thousands of deaths worldwide. According to Nancy Sprague, “It is estimated that up to 78,000 deaths occur each year as a result of the approximately 20 million illegal and unsafe abortion procedures that take place worldwide.” Even when 81 countries allow abortions with small restrictions, 78,000 thousand deaths occur worldwide, not including other health complications. If Roe vs Wade was overturned, can you imagine how much greater this number would be?

 Many argue that the 14th amendment was not meant to protect a right to abortion. According to J. Shoshanna Ehrlich, “In dissent, Justices Byron White and William Rehnquist took the Court to task for fashioning what they deemed to be a new substantive right” The dissenting judges critiqued the majority for creating what they thought was a new right. They believed the majority used their judicial authority to place the life of the pregnant woman over the life of the fetus. Although not specifically stated in the fourteenth amendment, the right to abortion is protected under the due process clause which prohibits the denial of liberty. According to J. Shoshanna Ehrlich, the right to abortion is legalized because it is, “…founded in the Fourteenth Amendment’s concept of personal liberty and restrictions upon state action…” The fourteenth amendment has a general “right to privacy” or personal liberty meaning. The ability to get an abortion falls under this definition.

 Overall, the legality of Roe vs Wade is protected under the fourteenth amendment and is supported by a majority of Americans. Overturning it will lead to health consequences for many women. The fourteenth amendment allows abortions due to its clause on liberty. The same liberty that allows anti-vax moms to send their kids to school. When asked to display their opinions on the subject, the American public voted against overturning the decision. Most importantly, health complications as a result of illegal pregnancies are dangerous and numerous. The lives of these dead girls and women are in the hands of anyone who denied them a choice. But is it worth it to save the life of a fetus? Although many disagree with Roe vs Wade’s legal verity, overturning the case will only lead to more complications.

 

How do you feel about your final products, including the persuasive speech script and speech? Are you proud of the work you have done, or were there some areas that you could have improved on? Explain.

After completing both the projects, the script and speech, I feel that I completed the work that I can be proud of. I picked a topic for my speech that I am interested in and I feel that helped me to create a speech that I can be proud of sharing with others. My speech, in my opinion, does a good job of explaining information while also arguing for a claim. The one thing that was slightly disappointing was my score for my speech. I spent a lot of time preparing for my speech by repeating it to myself in the mirror or giving my speech to my family. When it came to give the speech though, my nerves got the best of me. Although I had memorized my speech, I spent a lot of tine looking at my notecards and had a nervous stance. Although my oral presentation was slightly disappointing, I am proud of my script and being able to get in front of the class to give a speech.

What steps in the project were most helpful and least helpful to get you to your final product? Explain.

I would say that all the checkpoints were extremely beneficial for the project. For example, checkpoint one was the research for the entire project and was the basis for writing our speech. It was important to get valid information for our project. Checkpoint 2 was helpful in creating a counterclaim for our speech, although I ended up changing it. Finally, checkpoint 3 helped us to create a whole outline for our speech. This outline was used to write the speech entirely.

Out of the 9 Student Skills profile categories (Innovate, Create, Investigate, Serve, Collaborate, Problem Solve, Lead, Communicate, Reflect), pick 3 Student Skills that you utilized in your project and a couple sentences for each category explaining how you demonstrated that aspect in the project.

In writing and giving our speech, we used many of the skills from the Student Skills Profile. For example, when giving our speech, we communicate a topic to the classroom. The script also communicates a claim for a current topic. In addition, we problem solved within our speech. In our conclusion, we were tasked with creating a call-to-action which also offered a solution to the problem we were discussing. Finally, we used the create skill in actually writing and creating a speech.

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Analytical Paragraphs

In Advanced English, we were tasked with creating a personal narrative and paragraphs analyzing other narratives, which can be found below. Although I try hard to produce quality work, writing about myself is not something that comes easily to me, so when it came to writing a narrative, I found it challenging. There were definitely areas in my narrative where I felt I could have improved such as using imagery or including more dialogue. Analyzing other narratives, however, was much easier for me to do. I did not find it very challenging in finding themes and evidence throughout the stories that we read.

In creating the narratives, I found it helpful to have an outline of the plot and characters such as the one included in checkpoint five. It certainly helped to complete a cohesive story. As for the analytical paragraphs, analyzing a story with the class helped me to better analyze stories on my own. Completing the template in checkpoint 1 helped me to get the needed evidence and themes for my paragraphs. The template for the paragraphs also helped to create a well structured paragraph.

Throughout the project, we used the skills collaborate, communicate, and investigate in preparing for and writing our paragraphs and narratives. For example, in analyzing stories, we investigated said stories in search for theme and evidence. After completing our paragraphs and narratives, we peer edited with others, displaying the theme of collaboration. Not only did people help me with editing my stories and paragraphs, I also edited the stories of my peers. Obviously, we created a narrative and two analytical paragraphs.

Analytical Paragraphs

 In “Nightwalker”, the author Brent Staples displays a theme about race: the prejudice of others affects the way they perceive you. The story follows a young black man who walks the streets of New York, alone, at night, scaring those who take it upon themselves to cross the street or lock their doors as he passes by. They, however, don’t know that he has no intention of hurting anyone he walks by, he just enjoys the scenery. The author writes, “She cast back a worried glance. To her, the youngish black man-a broad six feet two inches with a beard and billowing hair, both hands shoved into the pockets of a bulky military jacket-seemed menacingly close. She picked up her pace and was soon running in earnest. ”The author describes how his appearance, along with the fact that he was alone at night, affected this women’s impression of him, enough to make her run away from this man, because she was worried of his intentions. Throughout the story, the author explains ways in which he had scared those around him. After noticing the behavior towards him, the narrator changes qualities about his appearance and how he moves, even singing classical music as he walks the streets. After this change, people see him as less threatening. The author writes, “I whistle melodies from Beethoven and Vivaldi and the more popular classical composers. Even steely New Yorkers hunching toward nighttime destinations seem to relax, and occasionally they even join in the tune. ”The author explains a way in which he would make himself appear less threatening. After doing so, others around him stopped perceiving him as dangerous or menacing, but instead as calming. The story explains the ways in which people can react towards people they have a prejudice to, especially when dealing with race. The text reminds us of the everlasting problems of racism which are still prevalent in America today.

 In “How It Feels To Be Colored Me”, by Zora Hurston, the author displays a theme about race: our perspective of ourselves can be changed by who or what we are surrounded with. Zora, a colored girl, lived in a primarily colored area of Florida. Her exposure to white people consisted mostly of tourists that passed by. The text reads, “I remember the very day that I became colored. Up to my thirteenth year I lived in the little Negro town of Eatonville, Florida.”The author explains that she only became colored when she was surrounded by those who weren’t, showing that our perspective of ourselves is ever-changing depending on what we surround ourselves with. Later, the author explains where she felt as if she had no race. The author explains an instance with a white friend in which she got up and danced to music, whereas he sat motionless, showing, to her, her race. She goes on to explain when she feels as though she has no race. The author writes, “AT CERTAIN TIMES I have no race, I am me. When I set my hat at a certain angle and saunter down Seventh Avenue, Harlem City, feeling as snooty as the lions in front of the Forty.” The author explains how walking down certain areas, known for their dominant African- American heritage, she does not feel her race. This reveals that your environment can make you feel differently about yourself. The story explains how a change in your environment can change the way you perceive yourself. This text reminds us of the power that our environment can have over ourselves.

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Mock Trial

In 9th grade Advanced History, we were put into groups and given an Industrialist to research. This was to later create a trial which would determine if they were a captain of industry or a robber baron. Our group was given Andrew Carnegie, a leader in the steel industry. I was given the role of prosecutor, and was tasked with writing an opening statement and questioning witnesses, my script can be found below.

 

Opening Statement:

Your honor, members of the jury, my name is Livia Kola, and my partner Cadence Ries and I will be prosecuting Andrew Carnegie in this case. Andrew Carnegie, regarded as a captain of industry, a man who has given away his wealth, and known for saying “a man who dies rich dies disgraced.” A man known for being generous, and donating to many different charities did not extend his generosity to his workers. As a boss, he gave them awful working conditions where they had a break of a few minutes and no time to eat as according to PBS. org, which states, “For many the work went without a break; others managed to find a few minutes here and there.” He also often lowered the wages of his workers. He is a man riddled with hypocrisy. The wealth of his company mattered more to him than the livelihood of his workers. Arguments from the defense will try to shift the blame to Mr. Frick and pretend that Mr. Carnegie has no responsibility for the actions that take place in his factory. He is a boss who did not care to pay attention to his workers, or his factory, his negligence and lack of empathy leading to the homestead strike. He is a man who decided breaks and safety were not necessary for his workers, and decent wages were not a given. But most importantly, he is a robber baron.

Steel Worker

What is your relationship with Mr. Carnegie?

It is said that Mr. Carnegie often lowered the wages of his workers, is this true?

Who is Henry Clay Frick?

Mr. Frick was seen as Mr. Carnegie’s right-hand man, is this correct?

What is the reason that you were locked out of the factory?

After you stood outside the factory for while what happened?

These guards were sent by?

Do you feel that Mr. Carnegie made living tougher?

Did the wage cut affect you directly?

Did it make providing for your family harder?

 

Mr. Frick

Mr. Frick, you were put in charge of Mr. Carnegie’s factory, correct?

And you lowered the wages of the workers, correct?

In what way would this have benefited the workers?

Would Mr. Carnegie have wanted you to do so?

Was this a direct order from Mr. Carnegie?

Why did you lock the workers out of the factory?

Were these orders from Mr. Carnegie?

Why were the guards called in?

Had the workers been violent before?

Are you aware that seven men were killed by these actions?

Would you say any of your actions were because of orders from Mr. Carnegie?

Why do you feel you were assaulted?

Andrew Carnegie

Mr. Carnegie, would you say that you pay your workers a good amount?

Is it true that you often lower their wages?

Moving to the homestead strike, you were not at the factory, correct?

Who did you leave in charge?

Henry Clay Frick, would you describe him as your right-hand man, your most trusted employee?

Since Mr. Frick was left in charge of your factory, are any of his actions are your responsibility?

.

Did you know ahead of time that Mr. Frick was going to order the factory to be closed, and the guards to be called?

What do you think caused the workers to revolt?

Can you give a few examples of these actions?

Do you blame Mr.Frick for this revolt or someone else?

There were ways to communicate with Mr. Frick through telegraphs, correct? Yes.

If this was the case, why did you not check in on Mr. Frick as he led your factory?

How many breaks ( during the day and through the year) did your worker receive?

 

Closing Statement:

Mr. Carnegie’s generosity through donations to various charities is only a facade to hide the fact that he refused to pay his workers with the money that they deserved and instead lowered his wages. Although he was not there during the homestead strike, he placed Mr. Frick in charge of his company, for which he takes responsibility for. Even though, it had not been his actions that led to the strike, the actions of his so-called right-hand man are greatly his responsibility as he was the one to place Mr. Frick in charge. Andrew Carnegie, a man that would drive his workers to a deadly strike through his low wages is a robber baron.

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Gregor Mendel: A Travel Through Time

For our science project on genetics, we were tasked with creating “something awesome”. We were given a list of possible projects such as movies/movie trailers, pedigree charts, informational videos, drawings, etc. My group and I decided to do a movie trailer on Gregor Mendel as well as including the needed information on alleles, chromosomes, punnet squares/ punnet square probability, and inherited traits. Each project had to include six topics, such as the ones previously listed. After writing our scripts, we started our filming and then, later, editing. Finally, our movie trailer was complete. It follows the tale of Gregor Mendel and his experiments as well as Reginald Punnet coming in a time machine. A link is included below.

https://youtu.be/wniGYzAeHHc

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Lemonade Economics

To start our project, we made a business model to provide a template of how things were supposed be and happen with our stands and lemonade. In the business model it asked questions on how we were going to set up our company( name) and our lemonade( flavor, color, sparkling or energy drink). The business model asked what kind of products we would be selling. For example, the lemonade and also extra snacks on the side such as pretzels or cookies.  The business model also had us come up with an age demographic our lemonade would be targeted too and plan how we are going to advertise our product(posters, signs). We also chose what our packaging would look like. In the business plan we also added what ingredients we needed for our lemonade and what they cost. Once we figured out the total cost of the ingredients, you have to figure out how many cups of lemonade you are making, and then divide the total cost by the number of cups to get how much one cup costs to make. Then, once you figure out the cost to make a cup, you have to choose how much your lemonade is going to cost.

 

During the process of the project, I made many choices, decisions, and changes to my lemonade and design. At first I wanted to make a blue lemonade to mimic pink lemonade, but that idea was boring so I decided to make strawberry lemonade that was blue colored.  I also made the decision that I wanted to sell cookies at my lemonade stand. I then created my company name. Since I had no idea what to name my company, one of my friends suggested blue lemon, so I chose that name. Next I figured out my pricing.  When I was figuring out the pricing I had to base it off the cost it takes make a cup. After changing it many times, I finally decided on having my price be $1.25 for my lemonade and 75¢ for a cookie. Once I decided on my pricing I made my logo and packaging. For my logo, I used a logo creator website and found a picture with a lemon being squeezed into a pitcher. I edited the lemon to be blue and then added my company name at the bottom. For my cup, I was just going to use a solo cup but then I decided to find blue solo cups and add my logo onto them. In conclusion, I made many choices, decisions, and changes during the process of creating my lemonade.

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Screen Time Effects on Adolescent Brain Evolution

In this project we learned how the brain evolves and develops. We then learned about the negative and positive effects of screen time. After we gathered our information, we decided whether the AAP should raise the recommended daily screen time from 2 hours to 4 hours. We decided that they should keep the recommended screen time to 2 hours. We created a trifold to show our findings on the negative effects of screen time and why they should keep the recommended time to 2 hours.  I learned that the prefrontal cortex is the control system for the brain. I also learned that video games have some positive effects such as increasing self-esteem, problem solving skills, and developing visual acuity. Even though there are some positive effects, video games also have many negative effects such as obesity, lack of social interaction, and a language delays in kids under 3. 

Works Cited

Desler, Margaret. “Guest Opinion: Step Away From the Screen.” Contra Costa Times n.d.: 15-16. Web. This article is about going screen-free for a weekend or a few days to spend more time with your family. Margaret Desler is a pediatrician at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Richmond, California who works on combating pediatric obesity.

Giedd, Jay N. “The Digital Revolution and Adolescent Brain Evolution.” Journal of Adolescent Health 51.2 (2012): 101-05. Web. This article is about how technology is effecting the evolution of the adolescent brain. Jay N Giedd is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and a leading researcher on child and teen brain maturation and development.

The Online Educa Debate. By Aric Sigman. Perf. Aric Sigman. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 May 12. The article is about the effects and impacts technology has had on social interaction. Dr. Sigman has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, a Master of Science in the Neurophysiological Basis of Behaviour, and a Ph.D.

Richtel, Matt. “Attached to Technology and Paying the Price.” n.d.: 17-25. Web. The article is about being too attached to technology and missing important events in life. Matt Richtel is an author and journalist for The New York Times.

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Climate Change Impacts Everything!

In this project, my group and I created a presentation using screencastify that symbolized a City Council presentation. In the presentation we talked about how climate change is impacting Fairview Park and the world. First, we researched what causes climate change and how do we now, the differences between weather and climate, what is the greenhouse effect, the effects of climate change, and how humans can impact climate change. We studied these topics independently, then put our knowledge into a presentation. Once we finished our presentation and it was approved by the teacher, we recorded our screencastify to make a mock-City Council presentation about climate change and it’s effects.

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