Senior Project Update

1. For my independent component I am organizing the Teens for Jeans Campaign at iPoly..

2. I visited the Cal Poly Library last Tuesday and found a whole plethora of books that were specifically about homeless youth (some even specifically about HY around the world). I've started reading a book called, "Children Living in Temporary Shelters" and this has provided me with a lot of insight on how to proceed with my science fair project because it helps me build a foundation for my study. It helps with my senior project because it provides me with information on how big of a role shelter plays in a childs life, which could be one of my answers to my EQ (having shelter).

3. Unfortunately, I have to post this blog assignment from my phone and uploading a picture or adding a label aren't an option but so far from this book I have learned: 

• The book is focusing on children living in shelters in America
• The main study of this book, conducted by Alice M. Epps, is on how homelessness effects childrens' perception of home
• There is a difference between children on the street and children of the street, which I defined in my presentation
• This study will highlight and take into account the following issues of health issues, school problems, race, and child development
• Also for the sake of the study a family isdefined as unit of one parent or legal gaurdian with on dependent child (under the age of 18)

Science Fair Proposal

1. My topic is Street Children

2. Many street children don't have access to local facilities that can take them in for shelter, or are often turned away due to the facilities maximum occupancy limit, or the child does not abide by the rules, etc. Not having any shelter leaves the child exposed to the cruelties and dangers of the outside world.


"There are few to no shelters available in the cities for homeless children. Some may live in a temporary constructed hut or the house of their employer. Majority of street children work. Almost 50% of street children are self-employed as rag-pickers, hawkers, and shoeshine boys, while others work in shops and establishments. Their work hours range between 10-13 hours a day. These children are exposed to high health hazards as population and unhygienic conditions of living. Having no shelter they are constantly exposed to environmental conditions of heat, cold and rain."
"CHILD Protection & Child Rights » Vulnerable Children » Children's Issues » Street Children." CHILDLINE India Foundation. Unknown, n.d. Web. 09 Nov. 2012. <http://www.childlineindia.org.in/street-children-india.htm>.

3.  If a child is left without any form of protective shelter, then he or she has the greater risk of being exposed to the dangers of the outside world such as: prostitution, violence, exploitation, drug addiction, and in the most unfortunate (but most common) cases- death.

4.For this experiment I will look into research that has already been conducted on the lack of shelters available to street children, and the hazardous conditions of their make-shift homes. I will also research more about the dangers these children face because of this. Once I have this information I will construct a "Portable Home" (name is yet to be determined) based of my product design sketches from the Art Center of Pasadena. I hope to build it as a solution to their dangerous makeshift homes, or lack of shelter, which would in turn decrease the amount of harm these children are exposed to.

5.  Engineering Research and Applications

Working EQ and Possible Answers

1. What is the best way to assimilate street children around the world into better living conditions
2. Not going to revise at this time
3. So far I have come to three possible conclusions: education, prevention counseling, and the proposal of welfare in all countries, however I feel education is the best answer because that can include the other two answers as well and will ultimately break the cycle of the issues street children face in their day to day lives.

Rough Draft of Presentation 1

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B_yNhJ5LSQ5AR1JObHUyMGFRaEk

Blog 7: Independent Component 1 Plan Approval

1. For my independent component I am going to be organizing the Teens for Jeans campaign at iPoly.

2.  I believe my plan will meet the 30 hour requirement because I will be spending a lot of time organizing, communicating, and advertising the campaign.

3. My EQ is: What is the best way to help assimilate street children in Los Angeles into mainstream living conditions? I believe the campaign relates to my senior project because the campaign revolves around the idea of clothing all those who are homeless with jeans, because it is the main item that is most requested from shelters and homeless people. I believe that being adequately clothed, is an essential factor to mainstream living conditions.

Blog 6: Second Interview Questions

• What interested you to volunteer at a homeless shelter and why? 

• Is there a specific training process you had to go through to become certified to volunteer with homeless youth? If so, could you please explain what that experience was like?

• How long have you been volunteering at this homeless facility?

•  What other homeless facilities have you volunteered for?

• Can you please explain to me in detail the responsibilities you uphold here?

• What drives you to volunteer your time here?

Blog 4: Project Reflection and Working EQ

The Pentagon:

1. So far I have been able to get a better outlook on what some of the opportunities are that await me after college in the architecture field. For example, when I interviewed Dr. Richard Fernandes he gave me great feedback on what the pros and cons would be if I decided to become a theme park architect in the future. He also explained in great lengthy detail the different divisions and sub-categories that are tied to theme park architecture. I have also received lots of reassurance that the colleges I am looking into are great in terms of becoming an architect.

2.  EQ Content: Well, I am now currently changing my topic to tattooing, but at the time my interview greatly helped in the ways I previously stated. Also my research about Disney Imagineering and Novelty Architecture also greatly helped when I wasn't sure what exactly was the difference between regular architecture and the type applied to theme parks. This knowledge has also motivated me to keep pursuing my dream of being an architect outside of the senior project by looking into Architecture ROP classes.

3. So far, the senior project has helped me realize that there is so much creativity in terms of architecture. It also got me in contact with one of the greatest Disney designers to ever work on all the Disney theme parks. I like how we are compelled to follow up on research and schedule interviews for this opens doors to more knowledge on our topic, that we may have otherwise not have known even existed.

4. Getting a mentor in my field hasn't worked. It's so hard to get a busy architect to mentor you, especially when you can't provide any usefulness to their company. However, this led me to find a good tattoo mentor (a job I want to pursue on the side) so I can't complain much.

5. Finding Value: 

• Questions:
• What qualifications do you need to become a tattoo artist?
• Why does it take so long to become certified?
• What sets home call tattoo artists apart from those who work in a shop?
• How can you become a well known, well respected tattoo artist? Is it through the use of advertising, or simply word of mouth?
• What constitutes you as being a successful tattoo artist? 
• I really hope that the knowledge and training I get with my mentor will really give me a head start to the tattoo apprenticeship I would like to pursue throughout college, which hopefully in turn, will land me a spot in a tattoo shop and become a respected tattoo artist.
• It would be really awesome if I could get an interview with any of the tattoo artist who work in Kat Von D's shop in Los Angeles, or any tattoo artist who is well known in the community because hopefully they can provide some insight on how they became so successful, and enlighten me about the struggles they had to face to become that way.

Problem Statement

1) Tattooing

 There seem to be many medical issues linking to the type of ink used in tattoos such as:

2) The use of large quantities of iron oxide in most inks can cause burns when people get MRI scans due to the scan's ability to heat up the iron contents contained within the ink. I know that there is an alternative ink called synthetic iron oxides, but its not well known about, so I would greatly promote the use of it to my local tattoo artists, or try to get the word out the best I can.

3)There is also much debate of whether or not organic ink is better in comparison to the traditional ink commonly used today, for there are pros and cons to both. Also after I would research the pros and cons and interview clients who have used traditional ink and organic ink, I would calculate the statistics on which type of ink is less harmful and promote it on national websites or to tattoo artists as well.

Blog 3: Interview Preparation

1. I am going to be interviewing Melvin Rodriguez's current architecture professor Dr. Richard Fernandes because he has worked on all the Disney theme parks, so he has first hand knowledge on what it's like to work on the architectural aspects of a theme park.

2. I want to ask what other classes I should take in college that would better qualify me to work specifically in theme park architecture. I also want to ask what influenced him to work on theme parks, and what the pros and cons are of this branch opposed to all of the other branches of architecture

Blog 2: Topic Choice

a. My topic is Theme Park Architecture, because I really want to pursue architecture as my career and I thought this would be the branch of architecture that would allow the most creativity, (which is something I really want in a carreer).

b.

• Effective Learner: In all my classes I plan to ask for help from teachers and my classmates when I don't understand something that's being taught, which will greatly help me be an effective learner because I learned that asking for help from others can lead to new perspectives on how to accomplish the work I am struggling on.
• Effective Communicator: I plan to not talk as much in class while a lesson is being taught, and try to save my conversations until all my work is completed which will make me a more efficient as a communicator because I will be respectful towards my teachers lecturing and my other classmates trying to learn.
• Effective User of Technology: I will be a more effective user of technology by constantly checking the blog everyday to see if any new updates have been posted, or using technological devices to record homework and acquire knowledge for research. This will make me a more effective user of technology because I will constantly incorporate technology into my daily life.
• Effective I-Poly Citizen: I will be an effective I-Poly citizen by participating in as many I-Poly events that promote school spirit and unity (such as pep rally, dances, fundraisers, etc.) and through group and indvidual projects I will make sure I do my best and keep up my responsibilities to my group and myself (such as being on time, or willing to make sacrifices). This will make me an effective I-Poly citizen by adding contributions to better I-Poly's community as a whole.

Blog 1: Summer Mentorship

Literal:

• At the beginning of the summer I had originally chosen tattooing as my senior topic. I had come across two people who were willing to let me shadow them, but one of the tattoo artists was going on vacation and wouldn't be able to let me shadow until after the summer. However, before I met the second tattoo artist, I decided that I wanted to change my topic to Theme Park Architecture, since this is ultimately what I want to pursue as a career. Upon recommendation,  I first contacted Melvin Rodriguez, who was nice enough to get me in contact with his architecture mentor, Henry Funes. However the same predicament applies that Henry is not free until after the summer. Next I contacted Michael Powell (Megan Powell's father) and he said his scheduel was extremely unpredictable due to architects need to travel, but to send him my information and he will try to help me when he was available. However, while I was waiting for Mr. Powell's availability I came across a design team in Pasadena called The Hettema Group (6266839876) who specifically specializes in theme park architecture and themed events. I went down to their studio in Pasadena and spoke with Matthew Adams, their secretary, who asked me to submit a resume. After submitting my resume, Matthew Adams told me he had sent it to his general manager, and I should be hearing a  response from them soon.

Interpretive:

• I believe mentorship is required for the senior project because it lets you experience the field your topic is in from your own perspective. Since you are also able to work closely with proffesionals in that field, you are also able to get direct responses to any questions you have about your topic. For example, if someone needed questions regarding what to major in in college to be sucessful at their topic, you could have in depth conversations with your mentor, and find out specifics such as where they went, what to do and what not to do while you're there, etc.

Applied:

• Currently, I am really hoping I get the internship at The Hettema Group, because they are my ideal job, but in the meantime I will get hours with Henry Funes throughout the school year, conveniently at Cal Poly.