Science Reflection Quarter 1

Throughout this quarter I believe I have really been succeeding with my responsibility. I am completing my homework on time, and I feel like I have really put effort. Furthermore, I am not doing my assignment just to finish it, I am really using my effort into it and making it a good piece of work. Moreover, I think I also study responsibly for tests or quiz. I'm always ready and confident to do a test. I also take very elaborate notes both in class, and out of class.

This picture shown is a picture of my packet. As you can see, its complete and full.

In the next few months, I would really like to improve on my risk taking skills. The problem with me is that I constantly write down notes and things that the teacher says, but I never go beyond. I need to have the willpower to go and check new websites and videos to take that extra step to get better grades. It would really benefit me if I begin this habit now and then use it when I have harder concepts to understand. I want to at least go to 3 different websites per unit, so I can really grasp the concept and master it.

Vision Board - Specific Goal

This image is of Stanford's campus. Since I was in fifth grade I have always wanted to go to Stanford. I will need to really push my self towards this goal, but I hope one day I can achieve it. To help achieve this goal, I can maybe look more into what I want to do when I grow up, and what classes I can take in these high school years. Furthermore, maybe as I get into the IB program in 11th grade, I can really focus on my academic work, and less on my athletics/club work. This will create more opportunities for me to learn new topics, and deepen my understanding. To can begin to go over topics that are going to be explained, so I can always stay ahead. Furthermore I can stay a few days after school to go over subjects that may not be my strongest area.

Vision Board Collage

This is my Vision Board. I chose these images because they represent something to me. 

Banking Blog Post

Bank Policy 
In the past few math classes we have been learning about bank accounts. Traditionally, there are two bank accounts: Checking and savings account. There are also other special accounts that bank offer as a 'super saver'. Within these banks there are two different interests, compound and simple. A compounded interest is when the interest rate is constantly being added on to a new amount.  On the other hand, there is simple interest where the interest rate is constantly added onto the original amount.

Compound vs. Simple
In my opinion, I think compounded interest is a lot better, but in some scenarios simple interest can be a bit better. For example, we watched a video where a man who lived for a thousand years wanted to check  on his bank account. He originally had 20 cents, but with an interest of 2.25% it grew to a larger amount. We weren't told of the new amount, and we had to figure it between ourselves. We originally found the simple interest amount which turned out to be $20. We thought this was a bit low, so we then tried the compounded interest. We then calculated the compounded interest and found that amount was around $4,000,000,000 dollars. There is a huge difference between these two and though, we don't leave our money in the bank for thousands of years, I believe it would still make a difference. Furthermore, I believe that if I were to invest in a bank, I would want to have a compounded interest, as well as a high rate. Moreover, I would also like to keep about a thousand dollars in the bank for emergencies and never touch it. As the years go by, it will grow to a larger amount, which will benefit me.

Citations 
Fox in Flats. "Piggy Bank - Fox In Flats." Fox In Flats RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2014.

Finding the midpoint

We viewed a video about 4 boys who drew two points, and a point in the middle. After that, we had to guess which person had the closest point in the middle. Furthermore, we had to back up these facts with why. I thought it was Chris because I thought his looked a lot more accurate, while the others were less precise.

This is Chris's guess, except without the coordinates. (It comes later) 

In the beginning, if I would want to know the exact midpoint of each one, and who got the closest I would need to know a lot of things. I would want to know the coordinates of each point, and want to measure the distance between each point with a formula. After, we talked about which one would be closest to the middle and why. I was the only person who guessed Chris, and when asked why, I just said that it looked that way. Someone then contradicted me by saying that his was too spread out, and I agreed. 

Afterwards, Ms. Ange showed us the exact coordinates, angles, and lengths, and we had to figure out a way to find the exact midpoint. My first reaction was to look at each information given and just guess to see which one was most accurate. For example, which one had the straightest angle, and which measurements were the most even. Then, when we had access to the internet, I decided to find the midpoint formula, and plug each person's lengths into it. I would then compare and subtract the guess and the actual midpoints, and see which ones were the most accurate. I found that Andrew's and Nathan's were both equally accurate. 

Scoring the winning goal; a healthy lifestyle

Fitness Goals

My goal for this year is to improve my upper body strength. For example, I would like to be able to do 20 consecutive pushups, without needing to rest. This is because I've noticed that over the years my upper strength has degraded. Moreover, I would really like to strengthen it, so I will not need to worry about it anymore. I would connect this goal to perseverance because I will need to persevere through this hardship, to get to my goal, but it will be worth it. Also, it is connected to risk taker because I will need to go out of my comfort zones in order to achieve my goals. 

Regarding the SMART goals, I believe my goal meets the criteria. My goal is specific because it includes a specific number as well as a specific activity. My goal is also measurable, because I can tell whether I get to my goal or not. I need to get 20 pushups in order to reach my goal, therefore it is measurable. My goal is attainable because I know I can improve on this skill of mine. I had this skill in the past, but I didn't follow up; I didn't continue to improve my strength. My goal is meaningful because I have been struggling with my arm muscles, and PE would be a perfect time for me to improve on this skill. I will need about a few months to achieve my goal because I want it to become a habit for me to do pushups, and a few months is enough time for that habit to form. 

The achievement of my fitness goal will impact and improve my life because I will overall become confident with my abilities. I have always been a little insecure about my upper body strength and to improve it would be amazing. Furthermore, the health benefits I can receive from maintaining a healthy body will also be splendid. The achievement of my fitness goal will benefit me in the future because I no longer need to worry about improving my upper body strength, if I make it a habit now.

Studios, HJ Media. "Pushups!" Flickr. Yahoo!, 13 Oct. 2012. Web. 04 Sept. 2014.

What does your latest beep test result tell you about your current level of fitness?

My latest beep test tells me that I can work even harder. I got a heart rate that was in the third zone, which means that I could've ran for even longer, but I didn't. Next time, I will try to not stop if I feel slightly tired, but when I really feel maxed out.

How did monitoring your heart rate during this unit help inform your level of fitness?

Finding our heart rate can improve our fitness because that way we can know how much we are working in terms of our cardiovascular system. Furthermore, in the previous question I know I can work harder and run for longer based on my heart rate.

What revisions do you need to make in order to refine your fitness goal? Are they based on interests and abilities? What core values are being demonstrated?

I don't think I need to edit my fitness goal at all. I think it's still an acceptable goal that I will be able to reach by December. My goal was originally based on the fact that I can barely do a pushup, and I want to change that. The core values being shown are curious it and risk taking since I am doing something new, and taking a risk.

What approaches could you take that will challenge you to succeed?

The only thing I really can do is practice harder in PE class as well as practice at home. When I have the chance to practice my upper body strength I should take it.

Beep Test Reflection

Recently, we completed the Beep Test in PE class. I received a score of 7.1, at age 13. There were, of course, outside forces. For example, that day, my leg was scarred from a game the previous day which caused my leg to limp when I walked. Also, when measuring my heart I noticed that it was beating fast, and I think it was because I was nervous about the soccer game. But, excluding all of this, 7.1 is a 'good' score, according to one of the websites Ms. Arcenas provided us. Obviously, I would like to improve this score a lot more. Measuring my heart could help me identify my fitness level in many different ways. An example is if your heart is beating very quickly during the exercise, it may be because you overworked and are causing your body to work harder. Furthermore, if you are stressed about something that also increases your heart rate. A goal I would like to set for myself is an 8.5. This is because in 7th grade I remember receiving an 11.1, so I know I can really reach this goal if I put my mind into it. Furthermore, I can help achieve them by relaxing before the test, and really pacing myself during. Some new approaches that I can take are just pushing my self harder during these tests. If I feel tired, I should continue to work, and not just stop. In conclusion, I believe the benefits of an active lifestyle is just the lower risk of diseases in the future. If you continue to maintain a healthy body you will live a longer and better life.