Favorite Benchmark

            Throughout the year, I have taken part in completing several statistics benchmarks that helped further my knowledge on statistics, all while having fun doing so. One benchmark in particular that I enjoyed the most was the most recent benchmark I completed. The assignment was to create an informative study guide, which dealt with topics that were going to be presented in future math classes at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, the college I will be attending next year. This benchmark was truly helpful, and I can honestly say that I will take this study guide with me to college, to help remind me of how complete math problems that were mentioned in my created study guide.

 

            I actually took my time with this benchmark, because I figured from the start of this assignment, that I might need this study guide in the future. I first researched the math classes that I will be taking part in next year at West Chester University. After figuring out the math class I would be taking, I wrote down the main topics that were going to be discussed throughout the course. I compiled a list of useful information needed in order to complete problems that were related to the topics that were going to be discussed in my future math classes. I provided several example problems per topic along with the solutions to the sample problems, as well as definitions to key vocabulary words and notes relating to the topics. I organized all my information into an informative, and easy-to-read packet for myself for the future.

 

            One thing that was interesting and surprising to me while completing this project was that I realized that all of Science Leadership Academy’s core values were used during the completion of this assignment. I inquired information from outside sources in order to figure out what topics were going to be discussed in my future math class. I then researched how to properly approach and complete problems that were related to the math topics that were going to be discussed in my future math class. I collaborated with a math professor from West Chester University, and he confirmed the topics that were going to be taught to me next year. After my information was finalized, I compiled my information into a study guide, which is how I presented my information. Now here I am, writing a blog post reflecting on my experience completing this benchmark.

 

            All in all, this was my favorite benchmark of the year. I learned a lot, and it’s one of those assignments that will stick with you in the future. I benefited greatly from this benchmark, and I highly recommend students do the same benchmark, to help them with their future math class in college. Like I said, I will absolutely take this packet with me to college, and I strongly believe I will reference this packet when completing future assignments in my college math classes.

Musical Instrument Blog #1

Since I was a little kid, the one instrument that’s always captured my attention was the guitar. It was something that could be used for so many different types of genres for music. Hip hop, rock, classical. It captured every sound. So the beginning of this year our school finally got a real music. Who was cool, fun, amazing at some many different types of music and he was an awesome friend. Mr. Newman has taught me a lot about the guitar, some good, some awesome. But such an amazing and interesting kind of instrument.

Playing the guitar takes a little time to really grasp, because you can play the guitar in two types of methods, using tabs and/or chords. For personally chords are much more fun and easier to play but tabs always good to learn especially if you want help with fingering. First you would place your fingers on the chord or sting you want to play then depend on the volume of mood of the song give the strings a strum and if you playing tabs you may have to play that one string first and move to another string so you strum the one string first then move onto the next one using the beat of the song to guide your strumming speed and/or strumming pattern.

To change a note:

For chords you would simply move from the previous chords to the next one while continuing you strumming pattern. Same thing for tabs except in some cases you would be moving from one string to another or one tab to another.

A guitar has a strange shape but it’s very helpful for playing and for the player.  But a fun way to describe its shape is to say it’s like an 8 on a stick.

Basically I want to be able to try and make a guitar that is as professional as possible which means I can’t take too long to make it. I know I’ll be able to get real guitar strings for it so that’ll help with the sound and I can try and make a guitar that represent my personality as well.

 

2011 PJAS State Competition

Congratulations to the 7 SLA students who attended the PJAS state competition at Penn State's main campus.

Cecelia Baez, Morgan Marant, Manna-Symone Middlebrooks, Cheyenne Pagan, Allison Patterson, and Shamarlon Yates all received 2nd award. Jeff Kessler received 1st award. Jeff also submitted his project to education.com's virtual science fair and won 3rd place, which earned him a cash prize!

Congratulations everyone!

Jared Leto.

​I'm not sure if i blogged this yet but i'm gonna too anyways before i post something sad and unconventional. After my transplant i had to stay 3 months more in the hospital for recovery and too check if my body was accepting the heart like it should. During those 3 months I was in the play room on the computers in the middle day. it was a normal hospital filled day doctors walked up and down halls and the heels of their shined shoes clicked as nurses told them the status of the patients they were caring for. Babies cried then were soon hushed by the nurses or mothers. My mom had gone to work so I was alone for the time being. I was surfing youtube when one of the child life specialists came inside the room looking for me. Her name was Sherry. I always remember her name by combing the words Sherbet and Cherry together "Sherry" Her hair was in a ponytail like it normally was and it was jet black. I always wondered what her life was behind the hospital walls but I never asked. She walked to me excitedly like a small school girl. " Jared leto is coming to the hospital" I could only respond with " Whose that?"  Sherry face turned from happy to shock and she said to search him on youtube and started to tell me how he used to be on a show called "My so called life"  he was of course the cute teen actor out of the cast. So I searched him and watched the video " The kill" and i was impressed with his artistic view and morals so i watched other videos then when i was done i left the room to get some to drink. I got distracted and sat in my room for a little bit until sherry told me he was here. I got up  and walked back to the playroom and sure enough he was in the teen room hosting tuesday bingo. when i saw him i got nervous then star struck. What would i say to this guy?I hadn't had time to prepare questions. so I did what anyone else would do. I watched him for a bit and he saw me from the window and waved with a smile I waved back and pulled down my mask to show him I was smiling too. when you got your heart transplant you had to wear a mask so you wouldn't get infected with anything airborne  cause your body is very weak. so when he was down hosting bingo he stepped out the room with his manager . I was kinda startled cause i didn't expect the door to open so fast and he hugged me like I was a friend hadn't seen in years. Then he held me for a bit and told me everything would be okay and the creepiest thing that came out my mouth was " you smell nice" He blinked and he said "that's good cause when your on a hot tour bus with sweaty men your not sure what you smell like" or something on the line of that. I looked up at him he was pretty tall, but then again everyone is tall to me. He had the whole laid back look his hair was long and black and his nails had chipping black nail polish. His eyes i can't describe they said so much but I did see happiness and thoughtfulness. The guy was really really nice. Mr chase and him would get along perfectly. he went around the entire room talking to the kids and playing game with them and playing one of my friends banjo who was hospitalized too.I went back to the computer looking at random videos. From here the story seems pretty farfetched but i swear it happened. one of the videos were playing fallout boy song from the newest album at the time and he said " hey you like fallout boy?"  " Yes"  my voice came out smaller than i wanted too and i gotten nervous all over again he pulled out his phone and started to call pete wentz and told him this girl in the hospital really likes your music and here she is wanting to talk to you. I froze on the inside and he handed me his phone and i put it too my ear " Hello? "  " Hey Evett!" if i died that day i would have died happy. I wouldn't have cared if my heart gave out there. we talked for a bit i can't remember what we talked about but i handed jared his phone back and he smiled at me and gave me a Cd and signed poster and his mangers e-mail I e-mailed him thinking he wouldn't reply but he did and told me good luck and to get well soon.  I really hope that one day i can come to one of his concerts and just have fun. That guy is the nicest person i ever met. 

Rushing

Well now the time comes where i rush to do all the work that is due during this week. That means my Calculus benchmark will have some pretty iffy problems on it, and the presentation for my capstone will be pretty meh. I mean not that it matters because from what I understand, as long as you have something done, which I do, your in good shape. Im really looking forward to the end but not this final stretch...

Die, or Live

The paradox about having something to die for, is that you also have something to live for, so whats more important? to die for something, or to live for something? or purchase both? live for it until you have no choice but to die for you? and if you live for it, and then die naturally, have you died for it as well?

Fairy Tales

I didn't believe in fairytales, but after Friday I now believe that anything is possible. But the best part about my fairytale is that I still have my prince charming :)

I don't know what to call this.

The kittens opened their eyes and are now curious of their surroundings but still can't walk yet. Lola lets me touch them and pick them up but i still have to wait until they are walking before anything. for now i'll just watch them a bit more and try not to turn my ac on too much cause i don't want them to freeze from the cold. getting that out of the way this weave is itchy as hell and i hate it. when i take this off i will burn it and yell to the heavens above how weave is just one little peeve of my life that i can't cope with unless sewn it which i have never have. Until then i hate this hair. lola ate my hot dog while i was sleeping that thief.

Musical Instrument Blog #1

So, I've been looking around for a good instrument that has distinct notes that could accompany like a guitar or something well and just be that sweet, higher pitched aspect to a song. I was thinking along the lines of a piano, but that would be far to complicated to make. However, I do know about African Thumb Pianos. I have one in my house. Basically, you play it by striking metal strips that are attached to some type of hollow wood (like a cigar box). The struck metal makes a resonance that plays the tune. Different types of wood and shapes of it make different resonances, and different types of metal and lengths also affects to resonance and frequency. The sound is then released through a hole in the hollow wood.
large thumb piano
large thumb piano

Movie Review

Hell Raiser is a weird movie. It's not scary it's just gruesome. If you can't handle gore I wouldn't recommend it. Even though it has that cheesy 80's movie theme I have to admit it has pretty good special effects for the violence.  Tonight I'm going to try and watch the Exorcist. I don't like scary movies about religion. They really scare me. It's not like I'm deeply religious, actually I'm not religious at all, yet something about religious scary movies really gets to me. I not an atheist, I kind of believe in religion but I'm not really sure. I assume I'll figure out my religious views as life goes on and for now I'm content with not knowing my religious beliefs all that well.

BREAKING NEWS- Congress Defies Charge of Treason, Declares Independence!

​After a long and heated battle in Philadelphia, the Continental Congress finally came to accept what the northern colonies had already known for quite some time. War with England now deemed unavoidable, and a Declaration of Independence inked, the focus of the newly united colonies now shifts to New York as General Howe's forces moves in to capture the critical port.

E1 U9 TAREA 24/05/11

A. Estudia para la prueba. (Quizlet)
B. Write the correct form of the verb ESTAR. If you get stuck on the form, check your ESTAR handout. No publiques tus respuestas.

   1. ¿Cómo . . . . Ud.?

   2. (Yo) . . . . bastante contenta, gracias. ¿Y tú?

   3. Mi novio . . . . en el sótano barriendo.

   4. Mi papá . . . . en la cocina preparando un sánwich.

   5. Yo . . . . en mi dormitorio porque tengo que estudiar.

   6. Mis hermanos y yo . . . . en el sofá viendo la tele.

   7. ¿ . . . . Uds. en el jardín o en la sala?

   8. El carro . . . . en el garaje.

   9. Mi piso . . . . en Madrid. ¡Pasa, pasa!

  10. Las camas . . . . en la habitación de mi hermana menor.

  11. ¿Dónde . . . . el espejo?

  12. Yo . . . . en el baño.

13.  Mis sobrinos y yo . . . . en casa porque . . . . cansados.