Senior Year 2016: Independent Component

Showing posts with label Independent Component. Show all posts

Thursday, April 21, 2016

"I, Julissa Ortiz, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 36:55 hours of work."

My mentor, Max Lucero, helped me with my independent component. He is the one who teaches the kids about the environment and the different types of wildlife animals. I was able to help the children with their worksheets and if Max was busy, the students would approach me. I would take out animals and show them to the kids while he talked about its unique features. I just helped in whatever I can.

I was able to help the kids grasp a better understanding of the information based on the animals and nature. I created a sort of bond with the children and it was nice to see how many kids are interested in learning about the environment. A lot of these children are very intelligent and are always filled with curiosity.

Almost ever Tuesday and Saturday, I would volunteer for at least 7 hours. Throughout those 7 hours, I cleaned, presented, and then helped setup for the junior ranger program. Once the program started, I spent all my time with the kids to help them in what they needed. After the kids left, we would clean up the area and put the tables and chairs away.
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7oS0IM1WlI&edit=vd

My essential question is how can a wildlife educator most effectively spread awareness? This component was a huge help because I was able to put myself in a position of wildlife educator. This way I was able to identify, for myself, the key techniques to spreading awareness.

1. Describe in detail what you plan to do for your 30 hours.

Starting around the end of February, the nature center holds a junior ranger program for kids ages 7 to 12. I was thinking about volunteering Saturdays and staying longer to help my mentor with the program. This program basically educates the children about the environment. The functions of different plants, how to distinguish the dangerous animals from the safe ones, the difference between mammals, birds, fishes, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates, and information in general.

2. Describe how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence.

To demonstrate that I've worked for more than 30 hours, I'd take a picture each day to show the activities that we do with the kids. Then I'll put them together and make a slideshow.

3. Explain how this component will help you explore your topic in more depth.

My topic is wildlife care and awareness. Educating the public is a form of awareness. Having first hand experience about my topic can definitely help me observe the different techniques used to educate the kids. This will hopefully give me an understanding of the methods used to get the kids to interact and acknowledge the environment.

4. Post a log in your Senior Project Hours link and label it "Independent Component 2" log.

I, Julissa Ortiz, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work."
My mentor Max Lucero and the San Dimas Nature Center staff has helped me complete my independent component.
Link
I've decided to do extra hours. I originally was going to do the presentations that I do with the public, but it does not meet the full 30 hours. However, this February, my mentor is starting the junior ranger program. That takes several days during the week and can work for my independent component 2.

I usually volunteer every Saturday, unless something comes up with my family. Each Saturday, I usually stay for seven hours. Spending more time at the nature center has helped me become more familiar with my essential question. I am constantly experiencing my answers, but I still have trouble figuring out what they are.

This component has given me more experiences with the animals and nature itself. My topic is basically everything that the nature center is revolved around. Since I did more hours, I was able to become more familiar with the everyday schedules and I began to learn more about the animals. Each Saturday, all the volunteers do presentations. We need to know most of the information so that we are able to answer the public's questions.

. Describe in detail what you plan to do for your 30 hours.

Every Saturday there's an animal presentation for the public. It mostly focuses on informing the children and their parents about the different types of animals they have in their nature center. This Saturday will be my first Saturday there. Before I'm able to present on a certain specie, I must know their information. Such as their diet, their age, their social skills, where they are most commonly found, specific information about the one that we currently have, and so forth. I plan to inform the people and answer any of the questions they might have.

2. Discuss how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence.

My mentor is usually in his office; working out the management for the nature center. Several times he'll walk around and converse with other people, but then he'll head back to continue his work. However, the staff members are constantly walking around to see if anyone needs assistance. They answer people's questions and make sure the animals are in good care. They help present the animals and they will be able to verify that I am completing my 30 hours of independent component.

3. Explain how what you will be doing will help you explore your topic in more depth.

Wildlife rehabilitators must be familiar with animals to be able to treat them. They tend to take classes and study about the different types of species to thoroughly learn more about the natural history and the particular needs of each one of them. This will help provide food, medical care, caging, environment, and so on. Learning and presenting about these animals will give me specific background information, helping me to interact with them.

4. Update your Senior Project Hours log.

It is currently updated, but I will continue to add the hours as the days of my mentor-ship go by. I will be more active starting next week.