Picture Scheduling

Dylan and I have talked with Skyler and Teerth and we have scheduled to take pictures on Thursday of this week. The pictures will include Skyler working on part of her procedure for the carbon nanotubes preparation, Teerth working on a part of his research procedures, and then some scientific equipment that appeals to students.

Interview

Last week, I interviewed Skyler for basic information on herself as well as her research project. The interview went very well, as I was able to form a trusting relationship with her and converse back and forth on the subject of science. Below are her exact answers for the interview questions.

Interview Questions

1.      What is your name and age?
           

           My name is Skyler Haber and I am 16 years old.

2.      How did you become involved in this science research program?

My current partner talked to me about this research program and was able to recruit me into it. Now, I have been given several opportunities for the future with this program including awards and scholarships.

3.      Why do you have an interest in science?

I enjoy the possibility of having the ability to discover the solution of a problem that has not been previously solved.

4.      What are you currently researching?

I am currently researching a cheap and effective method to remove salt from water using a form of the element carbon.

5.      How did you come up with this idea?

I came up with this idea through the interest of finding a solution to the worldwide water crisis that thousands of people are currently facing.

6.      Why is this important?

This is important because many nations suffer from lack of sufficient water sources, however they are surrounded by salt water which is currently undrinkable. So, by using this method that I am researching, the salt would be removed and people would be able to safely drink the water.

7.      If you could explain what you’re doing with this project in 1-2 sentences, what would you say?

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes will be infused into a membrane that will be integrated into a filtration system. Different concentrations of salt water will be flowed through the filter to hopefully reduce the amount of salt in the water in each solution.

8.      What do you plan on researching in the future?

I plan on broadening this research to hopefully advancing research in water purification. However, after high school, I would like to focus on research for Alzheimer’s patients.

9.      What career path do you see yourself going into?

            I see myself going into epidemiology or medical research.

10.  What outcomes are you expecting as a result of this experiment?

I am expecting the salt to be significantly removed from the water as this method is a good approach based off previous research. Unfortunately, it is expected that the salt will not be fully removed as that would require expensive energy and pressure systems.

Interview Questions

My partner and I have conversed and we have made a list of the following interview questions that will be asked to both Skyler and Teerth separately.

Interview Questions

1.      What is your name and age?

2.      How did you become involved in this science research program?

3.      Why do you have an interest in science?

4.      What are you currently researching?

5.      How did you come up with this idea?

6.      Why is this important?

7.      If you could explain what you’re doing with this project in 1-2 sentences, what would you say?

8.      What do you plan on researching in this future?

9.      What career path do you see yourself going into?

10.  What outcomes are you expecting as a result of this experiment?

Interview Process

Over the weekend, my partner and I contacted two people, both male and female, that are involved in the science research program previously mentioned. Before deciding who to contact, Dylan and I thought that having both genders in the magazine will encourage the interests of science for both male and female students as well. We have decided to choose Skyler and Teerth to interview, as one of them is completing a chemistry project, while the other is conducting a biology project. I will interview Skyler, who has chemistry project, and Dylan will interview Teerth, who has the biology project. These choices are based off our personal preference on science categories. We will be developing interview questions starting today and the interviews will take place mid-week, if all goes as planned. The questions asked will include the process of coming up with the research idea, the general gist of each research project, the purpose for it (why it is important), and why each is interested in their chosen project category.

Magazine Interviews

We have attempted to contact a teacher who is directly involved in our school's science research program to use a statement about the program indicating its principles for our article. However, our desired teacher was not able to give a statement at that time, so we will talk with him again within the next week. The interviews will be conducted before winter break and as of now, the interviewing process will be discussed with my partner. The most important goal right now is to secure the interviews so we can have set information for our two-page articles.

Thoughts on Magazine Project

The general layout for this magazine idea has been discussed with my partner and I. The magazine will consist of a front cover, a table of contents, and a two-page article. We are aiming to make the front cover as visually attractive as possible. This is needed as the appearance of the cover is a large selling point. Various design schemes will need to be researched for ideas regarding the cover. Certain elements of a magazine will be incorporated in the table of contents, such as the indication of a running piece. Different science magazines will also be viewed in order to plan the set up for the table of contents. The two-page article will include pictures, and at this moment in time we are yet to layout what exactly the article will include. However, it is known that we want to interview students involved directly in science as the basis for the article. We will look to conduct these interviews soon.

Project Decision

Based off my strengths of creating a magazine, and my weaknesses of developing a film, I am choosing to create the magazine. I believe that my strengths of completing the magazine outweigh the weaknesses, and the weaknesses of developing a film outweigh the strengths. Therefore, the magazine would be the best choice for me to accomplish. This will be a group project as I will be developing the magazine with my partner, Dylan. We came up with the idea of developing a Teen Scientists magazine. We are thinking that we will interview students that are completing/have already completed a scientific research project. From this, we will take their information and pictures that we have taken (if granted permission), and develop separate issues of this magazine, both using projects from different research categories. We are doing this in order to try to create an effect that encourages other students in the state of Florida to realize the importance and heavy impact of science throughout the world. Also, we want students that read this magazine to become interested in science and maybe even have the desire to pursue a career in science. Our roles for this magazine consist of interviewing, taking quality pictures of the students if allowed, along with their projects. Also, both Dylan and I will create a separate issue of this magazine, each focusing on different research categories. Our target audience will be non-post secondary education students (students in middle school-high school). We believe this will result in being a viable media product as science is beginning to appeal more to the younger generation. This is due to the fact that science contains numerous real world-applications, ones that are extremely interesting. As these students are starting to consider career paths, this magazine will be a great opportunity for them to investigate fields of science. This product will be distributed, in a theoretical situation, through middle and high schools in Florida. Copies of the magazine would be sent to science teachers in these chosen schools, who would then hand them out to their students. In order to market this product, we will attempt to create a visually attractive cover page, one that will catch the student's attention, so they have the desire to open it up and read it.  Another method to market this magazine would be to produce a taped video announcement regarding science and then further promoting the magazine. This tape would be aired on the school's announcements. This way, not only science students would receive a copy, but if other students became interested based off the video, they could also receive a copy to read. 

Strengths and Weaknesses of Creating a Film

Developing a film would be a beneficial process as there a few strengths I possess that would lead to the creation of a successful film. I have learned that in order to be successful in the film industry, filmmakers must create a story line that flows and makes sense throughout the film. I obtain this ability to develop plots/story lines that are organized and continuous. An organized and continuous story line will potentially attract viewers and increase ratings, which is what successful filmmakers aim for in their productions. Another strength in creating a film would be the fact that the process of doing so would be an enjoyable and entertaining experience. I believe that participating in the process of trial and error to create the best possible scene would be a fascinating and educational process. However, there are a few weaknesses I own that would prove the film making process difficult. In order to be prosperous in the film industry, filmmakers must portray effective meaning through camera angles and shots. I think that this would be difficult for me as I am not creative with aspects like this. From this, the time taken to produce the film would be carried out to an unnecessary length. Also, I am extremely indecisive with almost any decision that presents itself to me. This trait would also increase the time taken to produce the film as I would not be able to make up my mind on the scenes/ what they should entail. This could create difficulties in meeting the deadline for the project's due date. All in all, developing a film would obtain advantages and disadvantages to me as there are strengths and weaknesses regarding both sides.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Creating a Magazine

Developing a magazine would be a beneficial process as I obtain several strengths that would enhance the effect of the magazine on the reader. One strength includes the fact that I am able to help inform people via the use of words. I have a tendency to inform and explain more efficiently using written words/ descriptive details. This leads me to believe that I can create an enhancing effect on the reader of the magazine with eloquently written stories. Furthermore, another strength I own is the ability to organize information in a thorough manner and present it visually. I am creative with using visually attractive templates to catch the reader's attention and make them want to explore the magazine's interior. Part of developing a successful magazine is being able to attract readers not only through accurate information, but through an attractive exterior as well. However, I do possess some weaknesses when it comes to the process of developing a magazine. One of these weaknesses includes taking the time to develop the magazine. Developing a magazine is an extremely tedious process through what I have learned and I know that it would be a banal process to complete it. Moreover, another weakness would be conducting interviews. When making a magazine, interviews must be taken place in order to use accurate information from reliable sources. These interviews would prove difficult for me because I am bashful when it comes to talking to people that are unfamiliar to me. Ultimately, developing a magazine would prove beneficial and non beneficial to me as I have strengths and weaknesses regarding both sides.