You gotta love the Tongue Spinner

The class Design & Engineering at GCE was mainly about the ideas behind creating/designing an item. It was also about being empathetic in order for that object to work with certain people. We studied concepts based around design such as angles, surface area, volume, force/distance, mass, and simple tools. In order for the class to further understand, the instructor had the class go to interview a gardener (user), look at tools in the market (Home Depot) and see the process of how tools are even made. All of this prepared us to create a project based around making a hypothetical gardening tool. My father, J.Neiza Sr, was my interviewee/user for this project to gain the empathy I needed for making said tool. What empathy is is a feeling where you could relate to a person or thing in some form. This relates exactly to my project, as it is an adjusted tool dedicated to helping out certain people in digging.

Still, I hope you enjoy.

What I learned from gardeners were three simple facts to help create the hypothetical tool. The first is that most people have a disability due to age when working with said tools, and designers normally don’t recognize that. The second is that the best tools are normally the ones that can still relate to simple machines.The reason behind this idea is from my father after he was interviewed. When he was ten, his favorite tool was a machete, a tool that in and of itself is a wedge with a handle. The machete is dedicated to not only its intended purpose, but also meant for taking away enemies, gaining fruit, etc. So the more complex a tool is, the less it could be used for a general purpose. The third idea was that technology is something that can always help improve a tool. However, my father would still prefer a tool that had done the work itself. Because of this, my hypothetical tool would have to include working with technology, or at least incorporate some elements in it.

Even with the interview, I still needed to research from various sources. From what I could learn, the tool I had(trench shovel) had certain flaws. For example, my tool had a certain angle to it, and users would have to be in a certain position depending on their height. This could be extremely problematic to the user if they are elderly. I also learned that you need to have physical force in order to operate a shovel. This isn’t just for my tool, as it is for any tool that doesn’t have assistance in any way. This I believe is a major problem, as most gardeners over the age of 50 cannot compare to the strength they had when they were forty.

My final observation regarding the tool could be resolved easily, and wouldn’t need much force to add on.There could simply be a plank on the flat end of the shovel to push the tool down. This is especially important since most shovels are expecting you to plunge the shovel into the dirt with full force. With a plank, you could get the weight of your body or a hammer to nail the shovel into the dirt.  

Since this is a hypothetical tool, I added new features that might seem impossible, but compared to other classmates' tools, are more realistic. There are multiple features to my new tool that have been improved on compared to brands such as Razorback, etc. For one, the biggest feature would be the twisting shovel head, where the head of the shovel twists with the crank that is located on the top handle. This way, it could allow digging to be done, and could clean/smooth the sides of the hole. There’s also the simple yet effective part or rectangular prism that allows the user to connect or move the shovel in a certain angle, which would make it far easier for a person to dig trenches in a certain way rather than a person risking their health in order to change their position. Finally, I added an extra large plank dedicated to distributing the force of a human body or a hammer into nailing the shovel. The main difference is that this plank is larger and therefore has a larger target to push down on.

For the most part, these add-ons allow the user to have less problems with the tool. The first is the position of the body thanks to the joint allowing certain angles between the shovel and handle. The second improvement is that the shovel is built for ergonomic purposes. This is shown through the crank and plank. For one part, it uses a wedge, which a simple tool that has a force being pushed to so that the tip can make a precise cut. In other words, it separates the two pieces of the object. The wedge, being the shovel, is connected to a joint which allows certain angles or vectors.

Personally, I enjoyed working on the project, mainly because it’s creative and didn’t include the hardest math. I did learn however that working with a partner can actually take more time than working alone, only because you cannot see eye to eye at times. What I enjoyed the most from it was the design, and how the model would move due to animation, as it took time and effort. The voiceover was also hard, as my partner had to do multiple takes in order to get it right. Still, I believe the effort paid off in multiple ways, and I would change he amount of time my partner and I had to work together in class. Still, thank you all.

Citations J.N/K.S “AP Design The Best” vimeo.com, Vimeo, Web, Sep 28, 2018

JN "Interview" no website. Sept 28, 2018

JN “Trenching Shovel Labeled” no website, no publisher, Sep 27,2018

J.N, “Vectors”no website, no publisher, Sep 27,2018

Unknown Photographer. “Razor-Back 47.5 in. Wood Handle Trenching Shovel” homedepot.com,HOME DEPOT INC, Web May 1, 2015

Unknown Photographer. “Razor-Back 47.5 in. Wood Handle Trenching Shovel” homedepot.com,HOME DEPOT INC, Web, April 8, 2015

With you have problems understanding the video or need exact words for reference, please click this link to see a script of the project.

Pre-diabetes with a side of education

Diabetes has affected millions of Americans each year with some not even noticing. Which is why I focused my assignment on diabetes in my STEAM class, Cure. What my classmates and I learn is how disease work in a cellular level, treatments in fighting certain illnesses, and the probability of genetic illness. For our final assignment, we had to create a fake patient profile with a certain genetic illness. Then, classmates would research the symptoms and treatments for said illness.

The reason why I choose the illness diabetes is because much of my family has been affect for four generations. My cousin, KZ, was the inspiration for the profile, as she was the one who told me most of our family's illnesses. What I enjoyed most about this assignment was looking into my family tree, and see how it relates to my STEAM class. What I disliked about the assignment is the amount of grammar and formatting I had to fix. Still, I hope you all enjoy.

In conclusion, type 2 diabetes is a serious issue, and needs constant work in order for blood levels to be stable. It doesn't go away easily, and could take years or a lifetime to become healthy. For some people, being a diabetic comes from genetics throughout the family tree. But most of the problem comes from the environment in which the patient lives in. It took some time for this project to be made, and used more sources then the average AP. Reflecting on the class itself, I enjoyed how it integrated both science and math concepts as if they were the same. I also enjoyed on how this paper could be useful later on in life. Still, I hoped you enjoyed the APs from the sophomore year.

The All Mighty and Extremely Extravagant talk(The chit-chat)

When writing a script, you need more then on person to due so. This is because the writer needs other writers to give him/her/them ideas that can improve their idea of the script/story. This is what my class, Drama, has been leaning towards for an assignment. We have also been learning about gender studies, script formatting, character dialogue, and so much more. We had also been to the Goodman Theatre, in which we'd learn certain ways to visualize certain scenes within our plays.

After reading the play A Doll's House, we were paired into groups to write a script that had certain guiding question. For my group, it was "Should women have the same power as men?". We then had to rehearse/record the script in order to check off the assignment rubric. What I enjoyed most about this assignment was it allowed myself to practice my writing skills. It also helped me to think carefully about what is needed through the actors. The camera shots and mannerism make the video somewhat unique compared to other classmates/students. My only complaint is that there has been trouble with communication and there are some scenes that need editing. Still, I hope you enjoy.

Damsel: a young unmarried woman.

Exhort: strongly encourage or urge (someone) to do something.

Unfathomable: incapable of being fully explored or understood.

Consternation: feelings of anxiety or dismay, typically at something unexpected

Depression:(It's not a joyride)

Depression is a serious illness, but that doesn't mean it can't be treated. This is what my class, Cure, has been learning about. This STEAM class isn't only learning about external and internal disease, we also learned about cells, certain treatments made to fix certain diseases, and much more. We have also been shown a certain treatment in which claims to help both physically and spiritually. This treatment being called Yoga Nindra.

For this unit, we had to research certain medicaments and treatments needed to cure a disease. For myself, I choose depression as a starting point to research. This is because I have always been fascinated by illnesses, and depression is one of the most widespread. What I enjoyed about creating the assignment was the sideshow, as it show clear guidelines for how to use the medicaments. What I dislike, however, was that the information needed was hidden in complex and confusing ways. Such as certain ingredients not being shown within sources because at times a drug is considered a herb. But then you find the herb to truly be a drug, but only to contradict other sources entirely. Still, I hope you enjoy this presentation.

Lock and Key is the explanation of how drugs or chemicals work throughout the body in its simplest form. What happens is that biologically active molecules from the body enter what is called receptor sites on a cell, and is connected through hydrogen bonding. The effect of the molecule and sites coming together create a certain chemical reaction in the body depending on the cell. Hydrogen bonding can also be freeing proteins to feed the cell and body as well as different sorts of nerve impulses. What certain drugs such as antibodies do is that it blocks the opening of the receptor sites, and thus stops the functions/breaks certain cells. This also works for the drug Celexa shown above.

In conclusion, depression can be treated with time and patience for some of these treatments. Some treatment have also shown to work without time, but can be a dangerous risk. Such being that each cure has its ups and downs. We have to debate and consider on what could work for us in any situation, and if we can truly rely on one single treatment for most of the way. Still, I hoped you enjoyed the presentation.

Sonnet fo Katherine

Sonnets are a type of writing style that was mainly used in the Victorian era, with it's original popularity coming from Shakespeare. Which is what my class, Drama, has been learning. We have also been learning plays, history, and gender standers of the time. We had read the dialogue of Taming of The Shrew, which was written by Shakespeare.

After reading the dialogue from Taming of The Shrew, we had to create a sonnet that address a handpicked character's gender issues. For my sonnet, I choose Katherine, who is one of the main characters. The reason I choose her was because she represented the modern woman, and was ahead of the times. My sonnet is about telling her the she didn't consciously, but rather unconsciously, fall back with her peers thanks to the patriarchy she is in.  From this assignment, what I am the least proudest off would be that the iambic pattern(syllable rhythm) is off. However, I am proud of the content within the sonnet. Hope you enjoy.

Sonnet for Katherine from JN on Vimeo.

I cyst to be.

Any time of being sick, two things could happen. One is which the illness could go away, and the other where you would have to take medication or even surgical procedure to take out the disease/infection. Which is what my class, Cure, has been learning about. We had also been focusing on the fundamentals of cells, disease, and some history on medicine/surgery. We have gone to multiple field experiences, one of them being the ISMM. There, we and learned a great deal on the history of medicine and how some important health benefits came to be.

          What was the original assignment was to create a Prezi to show a handpicked surgery each student of the class researched on. However, the teacher was able to bend the rules, and allowed us to do any medium we want as long as it didn't stray too far away from the original rubric. I decided to create a video that had my own gifs to represent the surgery I chosen. That being a cyst removal. What I found the hardest to do while constructing the presentation was the format shift, as it was extremely time consuming. But, at the same time, it is what I am the most proud of. The reason for this was because it allow myself to visualize interesting movements. It also allowed to make the presentation look more interesting then it would on a Prezi. Still, I hope you enjoy watching my video.

Click this link if you want to learn more about The Pimple Popper.
Link

Some Books are equal, but some are more equal than others.

In very few instances, the censorship of a book could be acceptable. That being said, there are only very few. Most of the time, the banning of the book is not because society frowns upon it, but rather the banner frowns upon it. This is why I, JN, and my class Forbidden Books research such things a dogmas, religions, and taboos that create the justification for censorships. We also went to several Field Experiences that help us gain a better perspective. These being Woman's and Children's First bookstore, the Muslim Community Center, and WBEZ radio station. What we had to do for an assignment is to create an essay that goes on a position that supports or disagrees with a certain book's censorship. For myself, I choose George Orwell's Animal Farm, as it has been banned in multiple countries around the world. The problems I had with creating the essay would be the research, as certain quotes couldn't be found. However, what I found myself prideful for was the dissection of the book with characters and story. Still, I hope you read and enjoy the essay on Animal Farm.

     

   

Citations

G. Orwell's “Animal Farm” Film. CIA. 1954,