Blog 24 - Last Presentation Reflection

(1) Positive Statement

What are you most proud of in your block presentation and/or your senior project? Why?
     I am proud of actually reaching the 1 hour mark in my presentation. I thought that i wasn't going too, but in the end I was wrong and I am really happy that I did.

(2) Questions to Consider

a.     What assessment would you give yourself on your block presentation?  Use the component contract to defend that assessment.

AE       P          AP       CR       NC

I met all of the requirements that were specified.

b.     What assessment would you give yourself on your overall senior project? Use the component contract to defend that assessment.

AE       P          AP       CR       NC

I did everything that I needed to. I know I didn't go above and beyond, thus the P.

(3) What worked for you in your senior project?

Amount of research that was available was very good for me and research check

(4) (What didn't work) If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your senior project?

I would have changed my 1st IC to building a new, modern computer
(5) Finding Value

How has the senior project been helpful to you in your future endeavors?   Be specific and use examples.

It has helped me understand what I want to do in the future as my career.

Blog 23 - Exit Interview Prep

(1) What is your essential question, and what are your answers?  What is your best answer and why?

     EQ: How can electronics best be optimized so that they can run to their full potential?

     Answer 1: Maintaining a balance between the voltage, current, and resistance in electronics can ultimately make it faster.

Answer 2: Getting a lay of the components in the electronic can be beneficial to keeping order in every component.

     Answer 3: Having a good grasp on how to maintain a circuit is necessary to keeping an electronic fully functional and running for a long time.

   The best answer to my essential question is Answer 3. It's answer 3 because it's sort of a combination of both the first and second answers. 

(2) What process did you take to arrive at this answer?

    It took me nearly the whole senior project to find the answer. It took me a while because I had to fully understand the first and second answer.

(3) What problems did you face?  How did you resolve them?

     Some problems I faced was that sometimes I would get lost and didn't know what something meant. I resolved them by looking over my sources to gain some information that I may not have known about something.

(4) What are the two most significant sources you used to answer your essential question and why?

     The two most significant sources include a youtuber named MjLorton who is a retired engineer, and another source would have to be a website called explainthatstuff.com, the websites talk about certain components in a lot of detail.

Blog 22 - Independent Component 2

I, student name, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.
(b) Cite your source regarding who or what article or book helped you complete the independent component.
      I found a video on how to build pc's for beginners, it was created by NewEgg and they are known for their pc parts:
      Newegg. "Newegg TV: How To Build a Computer - Part 1 - Choosing Your Components." YouTube. YouTube, 13 May 2011. Web. 22 Apr. 2016.
(c) Update your Independent Component 2 Log (which should be under your Senior Project Hours link)
(d) Explain what you completed.
      I completed 30 hours of putting together three computers, they each took 5 hours each and then after that it took a while to disassemble them. 
(e) Defend your work and explain the component's significance and how it demonstrates 30 hours of work.   Provide evidence (photos, transcript, art work, videos, etc) of the 30 hours of work. 
  The parts needed.
Completed 

More pictures of it complete 





(f)How did the component help you answer your EQ? Please include specific examples to illustrate how it helped. 
    This independent component helped me understand what it takes to build electronic components. I learned how each part is needed for each other. It helped me expand my knowledge of how computers are put together and how it can affect its performance if not done correctly. It was a great learning experience.

Blog 19 - Third Answer

1.  What is your EQ?
     My EQ is, "How can electronics best be optimized so that they can run to their full potential?"
2.  What is your third answer? (In complete thesis statement format)
     Having a good grasp on how to maintain a circuit is necessary to keeping an electronic fully functional and running for a long time.
3.  List three reasons your answer is true with a real-world application for each
     Circuits are in everyday electronics and are the most important in keeping them running. Without circuits electronics couldn't be possible. Circuits are being created and installed in electronic components everyday. Computers, phones, appliances, etc. Circuits are important no matter what and keeping them maintained can keep an electronic component lasting for a while.
4.  What printed source best supports your answer?
     MjLorton(a youtuber) talks about how applying formulas to circuits are very important. Also all of the electronic engineering websites help with the understanding of putting components and circuits together.
5.  Tie this together with a  concluding thought.
     Maintaining a well balanced circuit can help with the life span of the electronic component. Keeping a circuit clean and clutter free can make it really fast and last for a number of years without giving up. Knowing the components are the best in this field.

Blog #18 - Answer #2

1.  What is your EQ?

    My EQ is, "How can electronics best be optimized so that they can run to their full potential?"
2.  What is your first answer? (In complete thesis statement format)
Maintaining a balance between the voltage, current, and resistance in electronics can ultimately make it faster.
3.  What is your second answer? (In complete thesis statement format)
     Getting a lay of the components in the electronic can be beneficial to keeping order in every component.
4.  List three reasons your answer is true with a real-world application for each.
    Learning components is very necessary, first off not knowing what a component can do can really mess up your day and you don't want to look dumb in front of others. Second, knowing where each component is placed is another necessity so that you won't place the wrong part in the wrong slot. Lastly, making sure that the electronic component doesn't break while getting fixed, happened to my mentor a few times. 
5.  What printed source best supports your answer?
     The main source that supports my answer are the videos that, MjLorton puts up on youtube. He explains the functions of many parts and teaches math. 
6.  What other source supports your answer?
     Some other sources include technology websites like, HyperPhysics, ElectronicTutorials, and a couple others. 
7.  Tie this together with a  concluding thought.
     An Electronic Engineer has to get a grip on a lot of things in order to make electronic components function properly. This includes knowing lots and lots of formulas, knowing which tools to use and knowing which part goes where. 

Blog 16 - Independent Component 2 Approval

1.  Describe in detail what you plan to do for your 30 hours.
     At the moment I don't have an idea for the independent component. Mostly is will deal with electronics. Fixing or building an electronic product or doing a DIY is on my mind. At the moment I don't have a set independent component. I'm going to work with my mentor to figure out what to do.
2.  Discuss how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence.
     I will take pictures once I get this approved. Also once I have an idea of what I can do I'll talk to one of the teachers to see if my independent component is good. 
3.  Explain how this component will help you explore your topic in more depth.
     Finding out what to do with my independent component will help me with the understanding of electronics. Full knowledge is key to building and maintaining an electronic component.

Independent Component 1

• LITERAL
  (a) Write: “I, Luis Viramontes, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.”
  (b) Cite your source regarding who or what article or book helped you complete the independent component.
• Here are some of the documentaries that I watched. Most of the documentaries I watch I rewatch in order to fully understand what goes on in the tech world. I don't want to lose any important information.
• "The Smart State." Top Documentary Films RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Feb. 2016.
• "Shock and Awe: The Story of Electricity -- Jim Al-Khalili BBC Horizon."YouTube. YouTube, 26 May 2015. Web. 05 Feb. 2016.
• "Into the Future: Communications." Top Documentary Films RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Feb. 2016.
• "Future Intelligence." Top Documentary Films RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Feb. 2016.
• "Visions of the Future." Top Documentary Films RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Feb. 2016.
• "An Original Maker: Paul Elkins." Top Documentary Films RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Feb. 2016.
• "Beyond Human." Top Documentary Films RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Feb. 2016.
• "Gearing Up." Top Documentary Films RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Feb. 2016.
• (c) Update your hours in your Senior Project Hours link. Make sure it is clearly labeled with hours for individual sessions as well as total hours.
• DONE
• (d) Explain what you completed.    
• For the 30 hours of independent component I watched documentaries on technology and how they are changing the world. Documentaries really show the true side of what is going on in the world and how its evolves. Technology is evolving every year and these documentaries really showed me how. Robots are improving year by year, When the first robot was created all he could do was walk, now we have robots that talk, shake hands, walk up stairs, and it does many more. Finishing these documentaries showed me that there are tons of people out there really focused on improving technology. 
• INTERPRETIVE 
  Defend your work and explain its significance to your project and how it demonstrates 30 hours of work.   Provide evidence (photos, transcript, art work, videos, etc) of the 30 hours of work.  
• Here are pictures of some of the documentaries I have watched over my 30 hour Independent Component 1. 
• Click Here for The Smart State picture (picture)
• Click Here for Shock and Awe: The Story of Electricity (picture)
• Click Here for NextWorld Future Intelligence (picture)
• Click Here for Michio Kaku: What does the future look like? (picture)
• Click Here for An Original Maker: Paul Ekins, Pacific Northwest polymath (picture) 
• Click Here for Gearing Up Part 2: Countdown (picture)
• APPLIEDHow did the component help you understand the foundation of your topic better?  Please include specific examples to illustrate this. 
• This component helped me understand how vital electronics and electricity are in our society. Without these advancements then our society wouldn't have progressed as much. We wouldn't have created the cellphone or computer which helps with communications and helps with our work. The electricity powering homes wouldn't be available. None of these things would be possible if someone didn't discover electricity or if someone didn't discover electronics. We have advanced so much in just 10 years with electronics. In the 90's we had really phones which then turned to smartphones around 2008. It's important to have electronic engineers because they are trying to improve this world little by little. They have done so much and will continue to do a lot if they are really focused on their jobs. 

Lesson 2 Reflection

1.What are you most proud of in your Lesson 2 Presentation and why?
    I am most proud in my ability to present my topic. I covered all of the topics I that were on my presentation. I also met the time requirement and did most of the contract.

2. a.     What assessment would you give yourself on your Lesson 2 Presentation (self-assessment)?

       AE       (P-)         AP       CR       NC

     b.     Explain why you deserve that grade using evidence from the Lesson 2 component contract.
            I deserve this grade because some of the things I weren't really fond of. My presentation skills could have been improved and that I could have had more time to practice.
3. What worked for you in your Lesson 2?
   What worked was the information that I provided. I met time with the amount of information that I gave out.
4. What didn't work? If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your Lesson 2?
     What didn't really work well was my activity. If I had a time machine I would have made my activity more engaging so that the audience wouldn't have been that bored with it. 
5. What do you think your answer #2 is going to be?
    My answer 2 is going to focus more on the technicians ability to do formulas correctly. Also how well a technician knows his electronics and important parts in electronics. 

Blog 14 - Interview 3 Preparation

How can electronics best be optimized so that they can run to their full potential?

                      

1.  Who do you plan to interview?  What is this person's area of expertise?

     I plan to interview a colleague of my mentor, This person has been in the business longer than my mentor and has a bachelor's degree. 
2.  Verify that you have called your interviewee to schedule an interview.  What is the date and time of the interview? 

     I plan on interviewing my interviewee on the 23rd of January around 1:00.
3.  Phrase an open-ended question that will help you find research resources that would help to answer the EQ.

     How are electronics components now-a-days getting better? Do we have the components to make an electronic its very best?
4.  Phrase an open-ended question that will help you think about other useful activities you might do to help you answer the EQ (IC2, possible experts to talk to, etc).

     What activities can produce the best understanding of electronic components?
5.  Phrase two open-ended questions that help you to understand your interviewee's perspective on an aspect of your EQ. 
      Will there ever be a time that an electronic component can run at its full potential? Will it be near in the future or will it take some time before it gets mastered?

Blog 12 - Holiday Project Update

1.  It is important to consistently work on your senior project, whether it is break or we are in school.  What did you do over the break with your senior project?
    What I did over break for my senior project included a lot of researching on my project. A lot more knowledge on the important aspects of electronic engineering.

2.  What was the most important thing you learned from what you did, and why?  What was the source of what you learned?
      I learned that you have to put time and effort into your projects in this field. If you don't then the whole project could be ruined if you didn't put the pieces in the right place. This important thing helped get me more focused on the next aspect of building pieces. I also learned a lot about diodes going on videos and reading articles.
3.  Your third interview will be a 10 question interview related to possible answers for your EQ. Who do you plan to talk to and why?
     I plan on interviewing a friendly face in the electronic engineering field. I want to talk to anyone in this field because I want to see what there style is. I want to get a vast knowledge on how many engineers work and how they handle things differently.