Author Archives: 076-asibayan

Biology 11 Edublog

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What aspects of this course did you enjoy the most? Why?

I really enjoyed the hands on labs and learning about human biology and plants. I especially enjoyed doing the dissection of the earthworm. The labs made the material more engaging and helped me understand the concepts better. I especially liked using the microscope and identifying different cell structures because it helped me imagine different parts better.

What aspects of the course did you not enjoy? Why?

I didn’t enjoy the more memorization-heavy sections, like taxonomy or some of the plant units. It was a lot of information all at once, and I found it harder to stay interested without a practical application.

Were there any topics or activities that you are interested in that were not covered in this course? If yes, explain.

I wished we focused on some space topics or something about the Big Bang theory.

What skills did you improve on during this course?

I improved a lot in lab work and using the microscope properly. I also got better at organizing my study time before tests and understanding how to break down big topics into smaller parts. My critical thinking also got better, especially when we had to interpret lab results or answer more complex questions.

Do you have any recommendations for how this course was taught?

I think more interactive activities or group work would help, especially during the heavier units. Sometimes the notes could feel long, so breaking them up with short games, videos, or real-world examples could make it more engaging.

If you had the chance to do this course again, is there anything you would do differently?

I would definitely try to keep up with studying a little more consistently instead of cramming before tests. I’d also try to participate more in class discussions and ask more questions when I didn’t understand something.

Which Science courses are you taking next year?

Next year I’m planning to take biology 12, AP Biology and chemistry 12 depending on my schedule. I’m interested in going into health sciences, so those feel like the right next steps.

Concert reflection

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What about last concert/performance are you proud of? Why are you proud of this?

    Reflecting on our last concert, I am proud of how well our group sounded as an ensemble. One thing I’m especially proud of is how I stayed focused and calm throughout the entire performance. In the past, I would get really nervous on stage, but this time I felt more in control and was able to enjoy the music. It made a big difference in how I played and how confident I felt. It felt really rewarding to contribute to the overall sound and stay in sync with everyone. I could hear how much we had all grown as a group, and it made the last performance feel really special.
    if you could change or fix one thing about your performance, what would i be? What would you improve?

      If i could fix one thing about my performance is to be more expressive with my dynamics and phrasing each staccato especially in street tango. I focused too much on playing the notes correctly that I forgot to add emotion and musicality. I also would love to strengthen the saxophone solo part in bolero and to have all the saxes play in time together.

      write a few sentences to describe your performance at our concert.

        To describe my performance, i felt very excited rather than jittery. I noticed that during hard parts in songs, I didn’t use it as a “oh wow everyone’s going to notice that mistake.” I noticed it as a learning curve and something I can use to practice and perfect. In the songs i think I could’ve played less sloppy and to make my rhythms and notes clearer.

        Describe how this past year has gone for you in band. How have you improved on your instrument and what would you like to continue to improve on?

          This year has been a great learning experience for me. Being the only alto saxophone in the band in semester one, my rhythm and tone quality has improved. I’ve become more comfortable playing in front of others after the song Longford legend with my solo. Something i would love to improve on is sight reading rhythms and my breath control.Ill be working on playing clearer tones and stronger sounds.

          R3- innovative designs

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          Innovative design from japan:

          One innovative design from japan that came to mind is the Shinkansen ( bullet train). It was first launched in 1964, developed by Japanese national railways (aka JR group), and began operating between Tokyo and Osaka. The train was created to solve the problem of overcrowded trains and to offer a faster and safer form of transportation. It was the first ever high- speed rail system in the world and could travel at speeds up to 130 mph (210 Km/h). It uses a special track system and aerodynamic train design to reduce friction and increase stability. Its success shows how innovative engineering has become and adapted to.

          How often are you impressed with innovative products you see online/ in person?

          I actually am easily impressed with products pretty often, especially when it’s something I actually see myself using. The most recent example i was shown was “edible water bottles” called ooho. These are small, clear bubbles of water, inside a gel-like membrane made from seaweed extract. The main idea is to reduce plastic waste, you can drink the water then eat the “bottle” afterwards! It’s a super smart alternative to plastic bottles.

          Recall a time you had an innovative idea/ made a diy hack?

          Back when i was younger i’d used to be obsessed with those diy school supplies that were really just you sneaking candy into class. I remember this one design that required a lip balm and chocolate. You take out the lip balm out of the tube, rinse it, then fill it with chocolate to provide a secretive way to have chocolate. I thought it was really smart, and I decided to do it. Until it turned out I had no chocolate in my house… so what better way to fill it with chocolate than to use cocoa powder!! It never worked 🙁

          A problem in your life you wish someone would fix with an innovative design?

          A problem i would like to be fixes is chargers, specifically how easily they break. It feels like no matter how careful i am, my charger wires start fraying or just stop working after a week or two. Maybe it’s just the types of chargers I’ve been buying, but it happens way too often and always at the worst time, when i really need to charge my phone or iPad. I wish someone could design an innovative kind of wire that never breaks, maybe with a super strong, flexible material or a self-healing outer layer that repaired itself when it gets damaged. Even better, what if the charger could automatically retract when not in use so it doesn’t bend or tangle? Or maybe the solution isn’t a wire at all, but a wireless charging pad built into, desks, bags, furniture, or even your phone case, so you could just place your device down and it would charge without needing to plug anything in. Even portable chargers, which are supposed to be convenient, often run out of battery fast and still need to be recharged with a wire. Since chargers are something we use very day, it seems like there should be a smarter, inter lasting design by now.

          R2 – Tokyo sky tree

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          • Have you visited a city tower before? If yes how was that experience, if no would you like to in the future?
          • What is the appeal of a tall tower? Do you think having a city tower in Coquitlam would have the same effect?
          • Do you think that having places that mainly attract tourism in a city are a good use of city funds?
          • Where is somewhere you would like to visit in Tokyo and why?

          I haven’t visited a city tower before, but I’d love to one day especially somewhere like Tokyo Tower or the Eiffel tower. I imagine the experience would be thrilling, especially standing at the top and seeing the entire city below, especially at night when all the lights are on. The idea of being up so high and getting a 360-degree view really interests me. I think I’d enjoy learning about the tower’s history, maybe checking out any exhibitions inside, and of course, taking lots of photos. If I ever get the chance to travel to a big city with a famous tower, I’d definitely make it a priority to go.

          One reason tall towers are appealing is because they offer a rare and memorable view of a city and often become iconic landmarks. People visit them for the experience, which boosts tourism and brings money into the area. If Coquitlam had its own city tower, it might not be as popular as ones in big cities like Tokyo or Toronto, but it could still attract local visitors and people from nearby areas, especially if it offered something unique like a viewing platform, restaurant, or art exhibit. As for tourism-focused places, I think they can be a good use of city funds if they are planned well and bring long-term benefits to the community. In Tokyo, one place I’d love to visit is Disneyland Tokyo. Disneyland Tokyo is much bigger than Disneyland California, and did love to compare the two and try the new rides. I’ve heard the park has amazing shows, themed rides and snacks. Definitely a dream trip destination to go to.

          R1-Valentines Day

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          In Canada Valentine’s Day is generally a one-way exchange where gifts are given mutually or by one person to another, without the expectation of a gift in return, like Japan’s White Day. The idea of reciprocation on a specific day, as seen in Japan, is not a cultural norm in Canada, where Valentine’s Day tends to be more focused on romantic gestures rather than social obligations. Personally, for Valentines Day, I appreciate simple gestures like spending time with family, enjoying a nice meal, or exchanging small gifts to friends to show appreciation. Personally, I see a deeper connection to handmade gifts, just because it shows how much time and effort someone put into providing the best gift. It could just be a card showcasing how much they mean to you or as I did this year, some origami.

          The concept of giri-choco in Japan, where chocolates are given out of obligation rather than personal affection, reflects the value placed on maintaining workplace or school relationships. While this is usually surrounded by inclusivity, I don’t think it would fit seamlessly into Canadian culture, where gift-giving is generally seen as a more personal act rather than a duty. However the idea of small thoughtful gestures to show appreciation for colleagues and friends is a nice one. In elementary school, exchanging Valentines cards with classmates was always fun knowing everyone could go home happy. It was a lighthearted way to make sure no one felt left out. While watching some of the anime’s where they’re obligated to give chocolates to their classmates, it seems as if it was forced and they chose the cheapest, smallest chocolates to give. I can see how it can be really troublesome if someone you dislike is apart of your workplace or class, you wouldn’t want to give them anything but as a pity treat you have to.

          As for kouhaku the dynamic of one person confessing while the other listens, is an interesting cultural aspect of romance in Japan. In Japan, people clearly say they like someone before starting a relationship, which makes things simple. In Canada, relationships usually start more slowly, with flirting and spending time together, but without really saying anything directly. While kouhaku makes things clear. I think id prefer to confess rather than stare from afar, as its better to be upfront about feelings rather than wondering if they like you back, it gives you a sense of relief wether they reciprocate the feelings or don’t. However, theres definitely a certain charm to admiring someone from a distance, especially if it builds anticipation. You can always go to your friends and talk about small situations where you’ve talked to the person or made eye contact. I think nowadays it’s not common for people to confess face to face, just because of the awkwardness that occurs afterwards. Kouhaku seems better, just because it wont leave either party wondering if they’re friends, talking or in a relationship.

          In conclusion, Japan and Canada have different ways of celebrating love, but they both focus on making people feel special. Japans traditions, like giri-choco and kouhaku, are more structured and straightforward, while Canadas are more casual and optional but could be confusing wondering the question “what are we?”. I like that in Canada, gifts feel more personal and arent expected so it seems truly sincere but I also respect Japans direct way of handling romance, a straightforward act. In the end, no matter where you are, Valentines Day is all about showing you care, whether through gifts, kind words, or just spending time with people who matter.

          Titration lab

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          competency explanation

          Titration is a lab technique used to determine the concentration of an unknown solution by gradually adding a solution of known concentration until a reaction occurs, often indicated by a color change. In this lab, we used titration to figure out the concentration of hydrochloric acid (HCl) by adding sodium hydroxide (NaOH). We set up a burette with NaOH and a flask with HCl and phenolphthalein. The goal was to find out how much NaOH we needed to add to completely react with the acid. The endpoint of the titration was reached when the solution turned a very faint pink that lasted for about 30 seconds. We knew we were close to the endpoint when the pink color didn’t disappear quickly. To avoid adding too much NaOH, we used half drops near the endpoint. If we added too much, the solution turned very pink. In our first test trial, we used 14.15mL of NaOH, starting with 2.56mL, we ended with a light pink shade, so we adjusted in the second trial. We used slower half drops and reached a better endpoint at 13.41 mL. In the third trial, we got 13.63mL, but the trials didnt agree within a +- 0.1 mL with each other. After adjusting, we got a better result with the right color on trial 4, 13.76mL and an average of 0.137M +- 1.7%.

          core competency reflection

          In this lab, I used communication and critical thinking skills. I worked closely with my partner and talked to my peers to make sure we were doing things correctly. I also asked a few questions to the teacher whenever i was unsure if our results were correct. I used critical thinking by looking at the data we collected and using it to draw conclusions. For example, after seeing the results from the first trial, and properly knowing how to do full/half drops I knew that for the second and third trials, we could pour 10.00 mL of NaOH into the HCl without worrying about the solution turning dark or having a misreading.

          SJ Reflection

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          Core Competency reflection

          My strategies for collecting relevant information for specific tasks include…

          When collecting relevant information for a specific task, it’s essential to first define clear objectives. This means understanding the purpose of the task and identifying the key questions you need to answer. Like for all of our assignments around watching a video or an article, I’m able to identify the key idea. Next, it’s important to identify reliable sources. Sources, such as books from the library, videos provided by the teacher , or original research, provide direct insight into your task. Finally, formatting your work in an organized matter. Organizing work may seem like a tedious task but it helps me organize all my work into information that is readable for myself or the teacher. Doing these strategies ensure to get amazing information for assignments.

          If there is a disagreement within the group, I find it helpful to…

          If there is a disagreement within the group, I find it helpful to encourage open communication and active listening. It’s important to create an environment where everyone feels heard and understood, even if our opinions aren’t all the same . I would start by asking each person to express their perspective clearly so we can fully understand their perspective. I also find it helpful to find a common ground. Finding a common ground in group work assists with projects or in class discussions, I make sure that everyone’s voices are heard in the answer. When we don’t talk much, I try to keep the conversation focused on the task at hand, or initiate the conversation. I also encourage brainstorming potential solutions together, rather than everyone having a different answer.

          One goal I have for myself is to…

          Focus on my critical and reflective thinking core competency . To achieve this goal I will ask others to read over my work to make sure I’m doing the correct thing. I can also reach this goal by expanding my knowledge by researching through books and online sources. If I do all these things I’ll be able to reach my goal by the end of the semester.

          Ch.3 Transforming Parabolas

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          Graph blue: parent function y=x^2

          Graph red: opens upwards and wider y=-1/8(x-2) ^2-5

          Graph green: opens down and is narrower y=-8(x+2) ^2+10

          Graph black: shifted to the right of the parent function y=1/2(x-8) ^2+1

          Graph purple: shifted down lower to the left y=(x+8) ^2-4

          Significance of A, h, k

          There are various parts of a vertex form that decide the characteristics of the parabola.

          In a parabola equation, “a” dictates the direction and width of the parabola. In the graphs, altering “a” changes the curve and the shape. For instance, in my red graph, where “a” = -1/8 the parabola widens opening upwards , for the parabola to open downwards the “a” value would be negative.

          Other important parts of the vertex form equation are the h value and k value.

          The “h” value determines the location of the start, shifting it horizontally on the x axis, this is called a horizontal shift. The “x” value of a vertex can also be defined as the axis of symmetry, so “h” value = axis of symmetry. If “h” were negative it would shift to the left and if it were positive, it would move the parabola to the right. This is because we change the sign of the number when we plug it into the equation y=a(x-h)^2+k. Like in the green parabola, the “h” value is a +2 so the vertex moves 2 units to the right, because the 2 becomes negative. An easier way to figure it out is to make the expression equal zero, like x+2=0 that results in x=-2. The “k” value determines where on the y axis the parabola starts opening. If “k” is positive the parabola shifts up, if negative, it’s shifted down. This is called the vertical shift. The y value of the start of the parabola means the y value of the vertex. It is the minimum/maximum value of the parabola that is found at a vertical shift. It represents the minimum and maximum value of the parabola depending on whether if the graph opens up or down. In my case the black parabola, the “h” value of 8 shows a rightward placement of the parabola, placing its vertex at (8,1) Meanwhile, the purple graph shows a downward shift, which to the “k” value of -4, moving the vertex to (-8, -4). In comparison, the parent function’s k value is 0, which is why it starts opening up at 0 on a higher point.

          Self-assessment

          1.        How did you represent the same mathematical idea in multiple ways in this assignment?

          I illustrated the mathematical concept by showing how changing the values of a, k, and h affects the position and shape of the parabola on the graph. I explained the importance of each variable in my equation and using a graphing tool (DESMOS) to visualize my function.

          2.        State some of the relevant mathematical vocabulary words you used to demonstrate your understanding.

          When discussing quadratic functions, I used several important mathematical terms to explain the concepts clearly.

          “Horizontal shift” describes how the parabola moves left or right on the graph, based on the “h” value in the vertex form of the equation.

          The “vertex” is the highest or lowest point of the parabola, which is key for deciding its maximum or minimum value.

           Lastly, a “parabola” is the U-shaped curve that is the quadratic equation, known for its symmetrical shape around the vertex.

          3.        How did you use formatting to share your information in a clear and organized way.

          I used a clear and structured format by adding titles to each section I discussed in this Edublog. I also added color into each heading to make them stand out and appear more organized.

          Core competency goals

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          Some of the things I plan to do to stay mentally and physically healthy include… creating time for myself away from anything stressful. That may be taking a walk around the neighbourhood or just having a pair of headphones and listening to my favourite music.

          Some of the ways I plan to work to build and maintain relationships is by… spending quality time with my peers. During group work, I will go out of my way to make a conversation with them to create a stronger bond.

          Goal 1

          My goals for this year is to maintain a high gpa. This will be through having enough sleep at least 8 hours and to eat balanced meals so my brain is capable of all these new information. Another way I could do this is to spend more time preparing for my tests and to write more notes.

          Goal 2

          My second goal will be to ask for help whenever i need. I will ask more questions with the teachers to fully understand.

          Concert Reflection

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          What about the last concert/performance are you most proud of? Why are you proud of this?

          • I felt the most pride when everyone played their parts while remembering Mr. Byrd’s advice and focusing on the ensemble as a whole. Their dedication made the music flow smoothly and powerfully, showcasing the skills we’ve developed over the past year. Our concert was one of our best, demonstrating how much we’ve grown collectively. Despite any mistakes, we addressed them and followed Mr. Byrd’s guidance closely. Since the fall concert, we’ve made remarkable progress, and we all find joy in playing together.

          If you could change or fix one thing about your performance, what would it be? What would you improve?

          • If I could tweak something about the performance, I’d pay closer attention to my dynamics and articulation. I realized that I was too fixated on playing the correct notes and maintaining the tempo, causing me to overlook the things that enhance the impact of each piece.

          Please write a few sentences to describe your performance at our concert.

          • My skills could have been improved a little bit more by practicing a more during the concert. The more I practiced, the better and cleaner my playing would have been. In the end, I feel that I did quite well, despite some minor mistakes. By focusing on the tempo quite a bit and maintaining the right pitch, I was able to blend in well with the whole band.
          1. In a few sentences, please describe how this past year has gone for you in band? How have you improved on your instrument and what would you like to continue to improve on?
            • This is my first time playing in a high school band, this year has many great events and helped me develop my skills furthermore. I have definitely improved on my notes and actually adding feeling to my playing skills. I’d like to improve on my scales and to sightread quicker instead of taking a while to grasp the correct rhythm.