Week 5: The Safety of Makeup

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFYxSVpYSG9SVjZHUEoxOU5lQkN3bUE6MQ#gid=0


^^^^^^ This will link you to the makeup survey I have created. Take 5 minutes and fill it out please!
Now to my progress. Truthfully, I'm behind on my project. I wanted to have the survey done before now, but now it's done and i can move on. Next, is combining all my research and deciding exactly what I want to cover in my video. Also, my week of no makeup starts next week.

HomeMade Bundles of Love (5)

So here's what's going on with the website. I need to start looking up codes and formats (Youtube) because it's looking pretty plain. Additionally, since all my photos were on my phone (and my phone broke), I have to retake the pictures. This kinda places me behind. I already have several people interested in buying the hats though which is really exciting because that means consumers :D! Anyways I took a break during Thanksgiving, so now I will go back to doing work during the week. I was wondering if anyone in the class wanted to be a part of my project. Just email me for info!

Last week was a great week to work on my twenty percent time. I pretty much finalized what I need to do and how I am going to do it. I asked permission to use the classed of Mr MuCurrley and Mrs. Carmichael. They both said yes. Mr. McCurley teaches the sophomores and the freshman. Mrs. Carmichael teaches the freshman class only. I plan on using random sampling, which is pretty much randomly separating the classes into two group. One block will be listening while the another block will be seeing.

Reflection 5

I was able to add a background and font colors to my blog this week. As I previously stated in my last post, I am looking for ideas on how to make my page more visually attractive. Let me know if you have any ideas. I have also finished formulating some of the posts. 

1. Patience in the process is key

2. Offers mean nothing until they're in writing with you letter of intent 

3. Honesty throughout the process is the best policy

4. Highlight tapes should reflect how well you play between the whistles. No classless actions should be included in the film. 

5. Recruiting camps will help offers come in faster. 

These are just a few of the points I plan to touch upon. I will go into greater detail when making these posts and make them thorough so it gives insight to the athlete and his/her parents. I would like every post to be about a paragraph or two with pictures to make it attractive and interesting. Let me know if you guys have feedback. Until next classmates. 

Reflection: Week 4

I began formulating more thoughts this week for my tips. I have decided to go forth with the idea of the "Recruiting tip of the Week." I am also planning on making various other tips every other day to improve athlete's highlight tapes, health, and football abilities. I feel like my blog is a little boring so if anyone has any ideas as to how I could "jazz it up" please tell me. I hope to formulate all of my posts and will begin posting within the next week. I dont know how long each post should be, so please leave me a suggested length. Everything I have learned while doing this project will be reflected in my blog posts.

Coding HelloWorld.

Hey, readers. I'm back with some more news, more progress and a couple photos. So I know that I left you guys (and girls) a bit confused with my last post but I'm back to rectify that.

So assuming that you guys have managed install Java and set up the variables (see my previous post if you haven't), we begin the process of coding. The first thing to be done is to create a place to store the code.

 In the event  you can't read that, here it is:

C:\Users\Justin G> C:

C:\Users\Justin G>md\JavaProjects

C:\Users\Justin G>cd\JavaProjects

C:\JavaProjects>md session1

C:\JavaProjects>md session2

C:\JavaProjects>cd session2

You won't have to type in C:\Users\(Your account name)> every time. That comes up automatically.

So now what you have done is that you have a create a space to store the program and run the compiler.

The next thing you are going to input is: notepad HelloWorld.java (it doesn't have to always be HelloWorld. It is the name of the program that you are going to compile then run.) This will open up a new file in Notepad. This pop-up is where you will be where you write your own code. Now, for Hello World, the code is fairly simple.

                      *Note that my program is called Welcometomyworld.java and that I have ("Welcome to my world...") instead of HelloWorld. That is fine. You can set the program to print anything written in the ().

 Make sure that this code is input EXACTLY as seen or the program will come up as an error.  Please note that it is necessary to SAVE your text. This is something I had to learn the hard way...namely by glaring at my computer for about a while.  Moving on...

Next go back to  Command Prompt. Type in  <javac HelloWorld.java>. Note that <> simply mean what you are inputting. You do not need to type < nor >. This compiles the program. Now you maybe be asking what a compiler does. Simply put, a compiler changes the programming text into a language that the computer understand. For a more in- depth description, see here: Compiler.

 Now that the program has been complied, you can run it. Just type in <java HelloWorld>. Congratulations! You just coded your first program on Java!

As to why this important to my project, this is the beginning of programming. It's a good introduction to the  syntax along with all the programming.

Well that's all for this post. Bye!

HomeMade Bundles of Love (4)

So here's my consent form guys. I basically looked around websites from here, here, and here. I sent it off to the lawyer and she's going to see what needs to be fixed, etc. I also talked to her about how processing and payment should work. She told me she would look into the fastest and easiest way for me to get started.

I feel like I'm missing something though? I would love to hear your help guys :)!

Here's another reflection. (Animal Tracks 6)

So I haven't gotten much done because of the internet being out and me just being generally busy.
However! In class, I emailed 2 establishments I think would greatly help me in my creation of a sanctuary.
I need to see about whether or not I should stay in Jersey and open a small reservation/general shelter type thing, or go all out and get a large plot of land.
A large plot of land does mean more animals can be saved, but it also means a lot more money has to be involved.
A big question I have for these organization holders is this: Where does the money come from?! Is it all donation, or did they save up in a piggy bank? These people spend a lot of time at the shelter, so I don't know when they have time to work.
I was also thinking of opening a savings account for this project. I've been meaning to do it for a while, but this will really be a big step forward.

More updates to come!
Have some pictures of The Raptor Trust's success stories. Enjoy!

Vilma

Hootie

Thorny

Virgil

Week 4: Safety of Makeup

Time for an update! So the hurricane messed me all up, but now I think I'm back on track. I'm creating a poll on Google docs, that I want to share to the girls of the senior class. I'm getting some of my poll questions from online and from different people. I should have that done by Friday. It should end up being about 20 questions about daily makeup use. Also, I'm doing more research on the specific makeup brands I want to talk about and I'm trying to find out which one is the best. By best, I mean something that doesn't cost too much, healthy for the skin,and a brand that has a variety of makeup options to choose from. Hopefully I'll know which brand by next Wednesday. After this, on Thursday, the 22nd, I will start my "makeup fast" and not wear any makeup for a week, so I can transition to wearing the other brand.I have a lot to do in very little time! Wish me luck!

MAKEUP LOGOS! 

4th reflection

               Going to start focusing on the final product aspect of this project. In the last post I was dicussing that my project will give the steps on how to get a 504 plan and I, myself might consider/try to get my own 504 plan. To do this I will have to talk to techaers, guidance counselors, and even doctors. Ms. Varga has written down the basic steps for me on a piece of paper, the process is not something simple or to be taken lightly. To get a 504 plan one must talk to their doctor and request it. The doctor has to approve it and then a note showing this must be taken to the school. After the process is out of the doctor's hands, it goes into the school's hands. Guidance counsleors must notify teachers, nurses, and even document it with college board.
            I plan on making a bulletin board within school displaying my information/project. I think it would be cool to get phamplets from my doctor's office about learning conditions/disabilities, meidcations used for treatment, and even phamplets about what a student can recieve and get in school. Does this sound like a good idea? Or just unnecessary and a waste? Only one or two glued on. I think on my bulletin display I would like to tape up a folder with a little phamplet actually describing the 504 process (this being the bulk and actual final product of this project) Does this sound like too much or should my bulletin board cover all of this info. I was kind of picturing like the bulletin board focusing on common disorders, explaining them, medications, all of that and then phamplets explaining the 504 plan.

Some things to ask..(Animal Tracks 5)

So I have an interview scheduled with Mrs. Roy's sister-in-law, who has started up her own zoo.
Now I know it isn't the same thing, but it's to get a feel of how hard it is to start an organization like this.

Some questions I hope to ask:
How hard was it to start up?
How much did it cost? How much does it cost now?
Where is it, and how did you decide on the land?
What kinds of animals are you housing?
Are you rescuing animals, or are they donated/bought?

If anyone has any other questions you think are important, feel free to comment and let me know!

Wild Adventures Zoo

Reflection Week 5: Popular Literature

REFLECTION WEEK 5!

I spent this week both continuing my comparisons between my series books and looking for stand alone books to include in my project. I've decided to use the resources around me, students at my school, to find out some of the favorite books among them.

On top of this survey I've continued to look through the lists for the top books. One of the top books that keeps popping up is the classic To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. My dilemma is whether to include books written in only a certain time period, or to open up to any book ever written. My original plan was to include books written between 1990-2012, but I'm considering expanding those dates. I think I will wait for my final decision until I see what books people respond with in the survey.

I've almost completely finished analyzing my series books. My plan for the next week is to finish my notes on that and put a list of other books to include for the project. My third task for the upcoming week will be to return to the question I proposed in my third week post (http://twentypercent12.blogspot.com/2012/11/reflection-week-3-popular-literature.html), is there a way for a book to become a bestseller when the writing or ideas behind it isn't. 

Post any questions or suggestions below! If you have a favorite book you think should be included in the list, feel free to mention it!

Reflection Week 4: Popular Literature

REFLECTION WEEK 4!

Hello readers! Since last week I've been spending most of my time starting to analyze my two main series (Harry Potter and The Hunger Games) for what these best sellers have in common.

Without giving too much away I am willing to share some of my findings. While there are some obvious differences between the two, there are also many similarities these books share. A few of these similarities include:

1. A main character from humble beginnings

       -Harry Potter: a normal boy thrown into a world he had no idea existed, that he is expected to save.

       -Katniss Everdeen: a teenage girl who has to win a fight to the death to get back and help support her family. 

2. Death/Violence

       -Only one of the Harry Potter novels (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) contained no deaths that took place in the present time of the story. All the other books involved war and death.

       -All three books involved killings. In the first book alone 22 children were killed as part of the games.

3. Sworn Enemies

      -Harry Potter is told his parents were killed by Lord Voldemort, and he tried to kill him as well, giving readers a bad guy to despise early on.

      -President Snow holds a celebration every year to send children to the games, him targeting Katniss didn't help his reputation with readers either.

These are just a few spoilers to the comparisons that will help make up my formula. Until next week!

Reflection Week 3: Popular Literature

REFLECTION WEEK 3!

Continue from where I last left off (http://twentypercent12.blogspot.com/2012/10/reflection-week-2-popular-literature.html) I have continued to browse through list of books for my finale list. I've continued looking through the list mentioned in my last post and am starting a list on books I wish to include.

While I've decided to add in some none series books, I will be focusing on two series that have become major blockbusters. The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling, and The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins, will provide the bulk of my research. In nearly all the sources I've looked through (cited in my previous post, linked at the beginning of this one) the Harry Potter Series was ranked number one on best young adult literature lists, followed by the more recent Hunger Games.

An anomaly I found in my research so far is the Twilight Saga by Suzanne Meyer. Although a popular series and blockbuster, it is often rated low on the lists for best books. It is often criticized for the ideas it promotes and the writing itself. This leads to another question I might look into as part of my projects. How does a series, being ranked at number 27 for a must read, become as big as it is? Is it an anomaly or is there a way to promote any book into a best seller?

Until Next Time! 

"HelloWorld"

Alright, newbie programmers and other viewers! I'm back again with yet another post and more progress with my project. I am EXTREMELY pleased to admit, that after a hour of hunching over my computer, glaring at it for being difficult, having lightbulb moment, and then being annoyed at myself, I have successfully created one of the simplest programs in programming: HelloWorld. What does this program do you maybe be thinking? It writes the words "Hello World" in Command Prompt. Yeah, I know. Please hold your applause.

HelloWorld is a very simple piece of coding that is great for beginners to learn. To start, first you will have to download JavaSE from java.sun.com. Pick the package that says Java Platform JDK 7u9 and then following the onscreen prompts. For more information, please see Java for the Beginning Programmer by Jeff Heaton Chapter 2 or if you are a video person, please watch this video: How to Install Java .

Now to the fun part. Command Prompt. This is where the actual coding begins. I created a space to store my program by creating a place to store my files. I inputed a series of lines of code that I will post in my next post. Once I enter the last line on command prompt, Notepad will open up. Now, don't worry. Notepad is a program that is already installed on every operating system. Once Notepad opens up, we enter our code that will print "Hello World."

If you are confused, don't worry. I'll be adding a few pictures to the next post to make things easier to understand and to going into the actually syntax. The pictures will also have the code on them, so feel free to practice and post any questions that you might have. Laterzzzzzz....



Disclaimer: Please note that I did NOT make that video.
All programming knowledge I state in these post is from Java for the Beginning Programmer. No one sue me please.

Note: I would actually highly recommend that anyone who wants to learn how to program get a copy of Java for the Beginning Programmer by Jeff Heaton

Scripting (3)

Hey interweb users! So its time for my weekly update for the world. I obtained a book from a good friend of mine, Java for the Beginning Programmer, and have begun to read that and have started to understand the actually syntax behind programming. Not quite sure how everything works together yet but that comes in the later chapters. The book basically teaches you how to program, taking into the fact that the person reading this book is completely new to the technological field. It begins by describing the 3 types of Java programs you can create: a console application, a GUI application and an applet. If you have read my other posts, you may have correctly assumed that I am going to be creating a GUI application or a Graphical User Interface application for my project. There are a few remarkable differences between each types of program. Console applications are good for programs that need to run in the background, meaning they don't need user input to continuously function. GUI applications differ from that in which that those kinds of programs need input in order to function. An example would be a virtual calculator. Finally, there are applets. Applets are used to display information on a page in the internet. Applets can display a large range of file type, from .mp3 to .jpeg. The nifty thing about Java is that it is a cross platform program, meaning that a Java applicant can run on many different types of operating systems, such as Windows, Snow Leopard (Mac), Linux, Ubuntu etc.
Well that was Chapter 1. Next post, Chapter 2!

3rd reflection

       As I've been discussing/complaining that I've been experiencing problems with finding a solid idea/topic to develop a final product from it. Ms. Roy has helped me collect my thoughts together. I wanted to address students with learning disabilities. This topic hits home because I myself have a learning disability. Have a bad case of ADHD if you couldn't tell, I take medicine twice a day .... that's when I feel like it or don't forget. Anyways, the whole point of this project is to open the publics' eye and expose them to the positive side. People think because students have learning disabilities that they are "dumber" and are at a disadvantage, but did you know us students with learning disabilities also have advantages that the "normal student" does not. 
        So what exactly is the project? I haven't quite decided if I want to focus on one or a few common learning disabilities, pretty sure I want to focus on the few that most kids have. I would list the disadvantages and struggles these students go through, but I will also list all of the extra abilities/skills/senses they have acquired because of their "problems". I am also thinking of conducting an interview. I would go around our school and ask students their impressions and judgments of those with learning disabilities, not to collect data but to just show how biased and negative people are towards those facing these educational setbacks.
        Students with learning disabilities usually have 504 plans for themselves.  "A 504 plan spells out the modifications and accommodations that will be needed for these students to have an opportunity perform at the same level as their peers, and might include such things as wheelchair ramps, blood sugar monitoring, an extra set of textbooks, a peanut-free lunch environment, home instruction, or a tape recorder or keyboard for taking notes." My final product will consist of information about kids with disabilities including the things that hold them back, but also what makes them different and gives them an advantage over other students (e.g creativity, focusing on other things, seeing things from a different view). It will also consist of a plan/procedure of how one with a learning disability can obtain a 504 plan, and along the process I might just finally get a 504 plan & the modifications/accommodations to be just as successful as my peers.

Another Reflection

I am now in the process of formulating the posts I will be blogging about. Some examples are patience during the recruiting process, humility, and various other topics. This will absolutely help recruits going through the same process that I went through, and am still going through. Because there is not much known and recruits go into the process blind, this will help alot. Although there are some books, they all cost 20-40 dollars. This would be a free service and would help out many recruits and their families find their way with the whole process.

HomeMade Bundles of Love (3)

Hey guys! Although Hurricane Sandy has taken my power. I haven't stopped working on this! There's an offline mode where I can edit the website on my laptop. My focus right now is to take pictures of the hats with real people. It just looks more appealing see a hat on an actual head rather than on a mannequin or just flat on a table.

This raised a serious question though. Would I use a school setting and a student? I began to realize that this involves having it approved by higher authority (school principal and others), getting a few consent forms for the school and parents, and lots of time. I decided to use a friend outside of school over (she's over 18) to take pictures with these hats at a public park. My major concern about this was not to have the "model" ask for compensation... which would be tight on my budget (more about my budget next time). 

Making a consent form seems pretty easy, but making sure it's fool-proof is kind of difficult. I'm working on that and want to make it as neat as possible. My sister also knows a lawyer named Samantha (she wanted to keep her name and firm private) and she spoke to her about my concerns. Samantha agreed to review my consent form and inform me of any "loopholes" I've missed. She has also agreed to help me in the future with any questions. I know she will be great help! 

I decided to use a binder because I wanted to keep paper records. This will also help me keep track of orders, money, and any other things I'll need in the future. This didn't affect my budget since I have loads of binders at home. I also got the amazing idea from Amanda to use excel after watching her use it for her project. I never really used Excel, so now my plan is to go to the library and to look up tutorials on how Excel completes basic functions. It'll make my life way easier.

Another Update (Animal Tracks 4)

I found my spreadsheet!
Yay.
So now it's time to look at more sanctuaries.
Anyone have any suggestions of sanctuaries or animal rehab centers or anything along that line? It would be greatly appreciated.

I was also thinking of making a map. A legitimate map of what I want to create. Whether it be a trail like Hawk Rise or a large expanse of land like The Wild Animal Sanctuary over in Colorado. That's on my to-do list.

Another thing I was thinking of was what sort of animals would I bring in, and how much does it cost to house these animals?
Carnivores are obviously going to be more expensive because most of them need large expanses of land, and meat isn't necessarily the cheapest thing in the world.

I'll probably make another update before the day is out, but this is just where I'm heading.

Here are some pictures to keep you entertained.
Enjoy!~

Truck Stop Tigers

Kept in cages out by the gas pumps as a “gimmick” to help draw in customers… these tigers were rescued after the USDA helped secure their release. They no longer have to breathe exhaust fumes or lay in diesel fuel, and now romp and play freely in wide open habitats at The Wild Animal Sanctuary.

Kanookie: Private Surrender--- When a Colorado resident realized that keeping a Lynx-hybrid wasn’t going to work out, The Wild Animal Sanctuary was contracted to take Knookie. A sometimes shy girl, Kanookie loves her new surroundings at TWAS, and enjoys playing hide and seek with Bobby, the Bobcat, her pen-mate.

Rosie

When a breeding compound in Ohio was shut down for more than 900 counts of animal abuse, the USDA contacted The Wild Animal Sanctuary to rescue 7 Black Bears. Rosie had lived in a concrete and steel cage for nearly 20 years… but now roams freely in a wide open natural habitat.

Guinea Pigs.... What you Twerkin' With?

Last week, although there was no school and I had no electricity, I worked on my project the old fashion warm; with paper, pens and candle light.

The question I pondered upon was
"How will I introduce my experiment to my test subject (Guinea Pigs--as they would say in the olden days)"?

I need to tell my test subject enough information, so they take this experimentation seriously and do not cause discrepancies in the data received. You see, I cannot have any bias in this experiment. I need to make sure that I provide each test group the same amount of time and etc. I need to make sure everything is the same for all the test subjects. There can not be even the slightest difference between the groups. This will be challenging because we are all human beings and we are not PERFECT. In addition, I need to make sure that there are no distractions and other things that may cause one's results to shift/change.
So pretty much during the hurricane I was thinking about the lurking variables that may be lurking behind, around, under, above ladedadeda ... you get my drift...

So yeah, thats it.
Don't Put Lizards in Your Ear ;)


JUST BECAUSE WE ALL NEED A LAUGH (Not sure if these are school appropriate so I apologize in advance)