1. My favorite thing I did this semester in chemistry was probably the additional work that I did during the rocketry project. Sure, the actual project was fun, but it was a bit of a challenge for me remembering to reflect and take pictures. The things that I did with rockets that didn't get blogged about were fun, because I didn't have to think about how this would affect my grade, or how I could reflect on it. I was in the moment, and that was fun.
2. I was most curious at the end of the rocketry project. We began making smaller rockets in our free time, and I began trying to make the smallest rockets I could. I tested different fin sizes, different pieces for my body and nose cone, and changed the center of mass to make the best rocket I could. Finally, on the last day, my mini rocket worked. It flew about 100 feet high.
3. Even when I wasn't curious, I was curious. While making lava lamps with my group, I was just as curious as at the end of the semester. I wanted to know what we could use instead of the given ingredients to replicate the lava effect. However, I was less concerned with satisfying my curiosity, and more concerned with getting 250 points for the quarter. I didn't experiment, and instead moved on to a different project.
4. While I didn't learn a lot of chemistry, I did learn how to really follow my curiosity. I'm less concerned now about my grade, and more interested in doing what my mind leads me to.
5. A message to future students: don't worry about the points in Andrew's class. Walk around the classroom until you see something that you want to play with, and take pictures of yourself experimenting. Then, look back at the highlights. Blogging isn't what the class is about. It's about having fun with science.
2. I was most curious at the end of the rocketry project. We began making smaller rockets in our free time, and I began trying to make the smallest rockets I could. I tested different fin sizes, different pieces for my body and nose cone, and changed the center of mass to make the best rocket I could. Finally, on the last day, my mini rocket worked. It flew about 100 feet high.
3. Even when I wasn't curious, I was curious. While making lava lamps with my group, I was just as curious as at the end of the semester. I wanted to know what we could use instead of the given ingredients to replicate the lava effect. However, I was less concerned with satisfying my curiosity, and more concerned with getting 250 points for the quarter. I didn't experiment, and instead moved on to a different project.
4. While I didn't learn a lot of chemistry, I did learn how to really follow my curiosity. I'm less concerned now about my grade, and more interested in doing what my mind leads me to.
5. A message to future students: don't worry about the points in Andrew's class. Walk around the classroom until you see something that you want to play with, and take pictures of yourself experimenting. Then, look back at the highlights. Blogging isn't what the class is about. It's about having fun with science.