DI Reflection Post

You’re probably wondering, what is DI? DI is a project that POP wants us to do to get more imaginative. DI means Destination Imagination. In this project, you have to be very imaginative in what you do, and you have to be very collaborative with all your teammates to make sure that you get everything done. DI is mostly centered around what thing you were in. I was in the technical one, so for technical we had to make an assembly machine and then make a destruction machine.

A really big important thing about DI is making sure you have a good script. Your script is usually what your machine evolves around, and I know that might sound kind of ridiculous, but it’s really difficult to build these machines, and that’s why most groups focus on building a script first and not machines.

For our assembly machine, we got cardboard and made pretty much a rectangular cylinder, and then we would drop Tetris-looking blocks down it. Our script was mostly about games and gladiators. For our destruction machine, one of the guys in our group, Coyote, built this flicking machine that would hit a ball down, and then they built a tube so the ball could go down and hit all the blocks.

The main thing we got points for in both Provincials and Regionals was our script and acting. For Regionals, we got first because our group had a good script, and not many groups had machines that were working or even built, so we really lucked out with that one. For Provincials, we didn’t luck out on that one, so that was very disappointing, but for Instant Challenge, we did get first.

Looking back on DI, my favourite thing had to be my group writing the script and the collaboration in our group. I think in our group, most people contributed about the same. It wasn’t one person doing a lot and then, you know, the four other people doing nothing. So I think looking back on that is a really good thing for DI.

Peas in a podcast

We had to tell a story from our lives. I picked a horror story that happened to me 1 year ago with two other friends. It’s just a story of a ghost encounter, or so that’s what we originally thought it was. Looking back, it’s most likely not a ghost encounter. It’s most likely just a weird story with a logical explanation, which one I cannot come up with right now. This particular story was very fascinating to me. Looking back on it, it’s weird how the first thing we thought of was a ghost and we didn’t come up with logical explanations at the start. The story pretty much comes in with us going into three different rooms and there’s nothing there. One of the rooms had a computer that we tried to punch in a bunch of random combinations that didn’t work. And then we went to a bigger room where you can kind of just imagine a bunch of thin Styrofoam cubicles in this massive room, and then we walk a bit in this room and there are these chairs stacked all the way to the top of the roof, and we go and look towards the chairs just wondering and we’re looking around and we see all these chairs come crashing down and flying out, and so we run out cause we’re scared. We think it’s a ghost, and so we get out of the building and the first thing we think of is oh it’s a ghost, but then we decide to go back in because we wanted to continue to explore. As we go into the next room, it’s this like library filing room. We walk in and we’re walking down and we go turn to our left and we see two bookshelves and they’re pretty tall, and so we go walk towards them because we wanted to see if anything was in there, and then we start walking towards it, and the one behind it falls and then hits the other one and it all goes crashing down, and so we run out and left the place because we were so scared. So that’s the basics of my story. And so I had to write a script for a podcast about it, which was pretty fun. Making the script, I found it to be tedious trying to remember a lot of it because it happened a fair while back, but I found it really fun to go through and remember what happened and to try and make a script around it so I can do the story. It’s not one of my favourite projects, but uploading it to Spotify and listening to other podcasts trying to understand how podcasts work was really fun for me. I found one of the most fun parts was to talk to friends and see what their stories were and even just listen to their podcasts and see what they were doing to get more of an idea of what I should be doing, and so I found that part really fun about it. Looking back, there were some issues with my video that for the future, I should work on, so next time I make a video I will have to do it better. Reflecting on that, I think the biggest issue was that I didn’t know how to use Spotify for uploading it and I got really confused, and I should’ve tried to do better on that. So if we do use this again, I will try to do better and reflect on that.

Mpols

“Thank you for coming to my presentation of learning. I am the expert on my own learning. I am also responsible and accountable for my own learning. You can expect me to give an honest evaluation of my progress. We will discuss my strengths and opportunities for growth. Thank you in advance for listening and for offering feedback that I can use to improve as a learner.”

My growth plan (from tpols)

I want to get better at managing my time during school hours and making a schedule so I know exactly what to do during school and I know exactly what to do for the rest of my day. I want to schedule out school and other activities I have after school. During projects I will make a schedule, so I get it done on time and have it where I won’t be tired at the end of the project.

Atomic habits blog post 

https://docs.craft.do/d/5f34e7eb-7cb2-71c9-76fa-bf842841aeff/5748EB77-EA15-49BB-9C80-C50327841054?s=YFru6aeajVVthsShb4MkonQTpRF8mjjhwo2gBT9T4SVs

Why the world needs more Canada 

https://docs.craft.do/d/5f34e7eb-7cb2-71c9-76fa-bf842841aeff/2DB392A3-3E24-44A9-88E5-A3F8CF185E3D?s=UWxMAUxVH2uQpz61Ej8QNC1f8dS6SkN7FtoBeqKqXnMs

WWII

https://www.blog44.ca/ginol/2025/01/18/how-world-war-ii-made-canada-in-what-it-is-today/

 

Japanese internment camp

https://www.blog44.ca/ginol/2025/02/24/remembering-the-past-the-legacy-of-japanese-canadian-internment/

DI 

https://www.blog44.ca/ginol/2025/03/11/di-regionals/

DI regionals

Destination Imagination is a project where teams use cardboard and other materials to build a machine or create an act to perform in front of judges. At the end, we receive a score based on our performance. Teams usually consist of 3 to 5 people.

For regionals, my team and I competed and won first place! I had to leave early that day, but my group told me afterward that we placed first, which was really exciting. I think we did really well overall. Our storyline was strong, and I really liked the different elements we incorporated—especially the Roman gladiator theme, which we blended with other creative ideas.

The main task was to stack up 10 blocks and then knock them down. Our assembly machine didn’t work as well as we had hoped, but everything else went really well. Despite the challenges, I found the experience really fun. I was in a group with five other boys, and while we had struggles along the way, we pulled together and performed well in the end.

One of the most enjoyable yet challenging parts of the competition was the instant challenge. The hardest thing overall was communication within our team. Even though we did well, I think we could have worked better together in terms of teamwork and coordination.

For next time, I want to focus on improving communication with my group and ensuring we collaborate more effectively. We also need to build a better assembly machine and make sure the blocks are stacked correctly in the designated area. If we prepare more thoroughly and refine our teamwork, I think we can perform even better in the next Destination Imagination competition!

Remembering the Past: The Legacy of Japanese Canadian Internment

During World War II, the Canadian government forced approximately 22,000 Japanese Canadians into internment camps, stripping them of their homes, businesses, and rights. This decision was following the Pearl Harbour attack in 1941 and became one of the darkest chapters in Canada’s history. Many of those affected were Canadian-born citizens, but they were treated as threats because of their ancestry.

The internment camps were located in remote areas, with harsh conditions and limited resources. Families were separated, and their personal belongings were confiscated and sold. Even after the war ended, Japanese Canadians were not allowed to return to their regular lives until 1949. It wasn’t until 1988 that the Canadian government officially acknowledged this injustice and issued a formal apology.

Answering the Driving Question

How can we keep an apology alive so the wrongs of the past are remembered and not repeated today?

To keep an apology alive and ensure that the wrongs of the past are remembered and not repeated today, it is essential to embed the lessons of history into the collective consciousness through ongoing education, memorialization, and open dialogue. This involves not only commemorating significant events, such as the internment of Japanese Canadians, with physical memorials that encapsulate the suffering and resilience of affected communities, but also giving education to the younger generation to show what happened to Japanese. By actively participating in the remembrance of historical injustices, we honour those who suffered while committed to inclusion and equality, ensuring that we learn from the past to build a more equitable future.

A Memorial of Suffering and Strength

To honour the victims and educate future generations, a powerful memorial was unveiled near the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) in Vancouver, a significant location where many Japanese Canadians were first detained. The memorial is a striking visual representation of the pain and resilience of the Japanese Canadian community.

At its center stands a large rock split in half, symbolizing the forced separation of families and the fracturing of lives. One side is wrapped in barbed wire and fishnet fencing, representing both the physical confinement of the camps and the loss of the Japanese Canadian fishing industry. The other side is adorned with 22 cherry blossoms, each symbolizing one thousand of the 22,000 people who suffered through internment. The cherry blossoms signify resilience, renewal, and what could have been if these injustices had never occurred.

Seven deep notches are carved into the rock, representing the seven years of internment. At the base, two plaques provide historical context, ensuring that the painful truths of the past are never forgotten.

A Nation’s Apology

On January 23, 2024, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau formally apologized for the internment of Japanese Canadians. Speaking at the memorial site, he acknowledged the immense suffering caused by these actions and the long-lasting trauma inflicted upon families. His words reinforced the government’s commitment to remembrance and education, ensuring that history does not repeat itself.

This memorial stands not only as a tribute to those who endured injustice but also as a reminder of the dangers of racism and discrimination. By acknowledging the past, we take a step toward a more just and inclusive future.

Why This Matters

The internment of Japanese Canadians is a painful but essential part of Canada’s history. The memorial serves as both a symbol of remembrance and a lesson for future generations. It compels us to confront uncomfortable truths, recognize the resilience of marginalized communities, and work toward preventing similar injustices.

By educating ourselves and others, we honour the memory of those affected and ensure that their suffering was not in vain. The past cannot be changed, but how we remember and learn from it defines the path forward.

Moving Forward 

As we reflect on the legacy of Japanese Canadian internment, it is vital to engage in meaningful dialogue about the broader implications of this historical injustice. The experiences of Japanese Canadians during World War II mirror the experiences of various marginalized communities who have faced systemic discrimination, unjust treatment, and the denial of their rights throughout history.

In recent years, there has been a renewed focus on reconciliation and understanding across diverse cultures in Canada. The journey toward healing is not solely about acknowledging past wrongs; it is also about ensuring that communities affected by injustice are heard, respected, and celebrated in their diversity. Education plays a crucial role in this process, as awareness of historical atrocities fuels empathy and fosters solidarity.

My Reflection on Japanese Internment Camps

Japanese internment camps were a significant part of Canadian history. It’s important to understand what happened to Japanese Canadians during this time and how they were racially segregated. The camps were usually hastily built or consisted of abandoned buildings that the Japanese had to rebuild. After rebuilding these areas, they often made them fairly livable and created new homes for themselves. However, putting Japanese Canadians through this experience has undeniably weakened relations between Canada and the Japanese community. Canada has made efforts to apologize for these injustices. The best thing we can do moving forward is to educate ourselves about this history and demonstrate how we can right the wrongs of the past.

How World War II Made Canada in What it is Today.

Zine

Our class has been doing a WWII project  about how Canada was affected in WWII and how Canada’s identity was shaped. We did an act of service, zine and essay it was part of what we had to do for this project the driving question was What role did the conflict of WWII play in shape Canadian identity? Canada became more autonomous in WWII, Canada provided food, war material, troops and we had the 4th largest navy after WWII. Canadian pride was big because a lot of Canadian united together to fight the war. In my essay I talk about what Canada did in WWII.WWII essay

My act of service

We completed the act of service to rise money to buy a flag for Juno Beach centre. We rise for the save Juno beach campaign.saving juno beach

My reflection of what happened

I learned the reality of what happens in a world war. Everyone I speak to has a connection to WWII. In reality the war was only it only ended 80 years ago not that long an ago if you think about it. To me most of the time war creates chaos and disunity for most people however In my opinion WWII was one of the last necessary war. It made Canadian after have more unity and identity.

Exhibition/ww1 comic

WW1 comic 

Making the comic is very fun, However I should’ve manage my time better while making the  comic. We had about two weeks to make the comic but I should’ve used more of the two weeks and manage my time better during those two weeks I should have set up my comic and done better visuals and use my time better before exhibition happened. I have realized now that I need to learn how to manage my time better and make a schedule for each project so I know what to get done for each time even if PLP this year was less organized I should still be able to manage my time better than I did this year. It was a great learning experience overall and I know now that time management is key in successfully completing any project. I will take this lesson with me and apply I will use my time wisely and prioritize tasks effectively. Despite the challenges, I am proud of the comic I created and the effort I put into it. I will push to improve my time management skills and continue to create work that I am proud of.

Tpols

“Thank you for coming to my presentation of learning. I am the expert on my own learning. I am also responsible and accountable for my own learning. You can expect me to give an honest evaluation of my progress. We will discuss my strengths and opportunities for growth. Thank you in advance for listening and for offering feedback that I can use to improve as a learner.”

What I said for my pols 

I would like to improve on time management skills. My long term goal is to be able to start an assignment on time. I find that I will procrastinate on completing my homework and prioritize other things that I am interested in. If I can stay focused on completing my assignments, rather than avoiding them until the day before they are due, I will have time to put more effort and detail into my work.

Italian nationalism 

It’s good that you covered all the topics.

It’s has a good charm

When talking talk like this a presentation/being louder.

You stay on the map for quite some time.

Also talking faster would help.

Fixing the audio to.

The overall coverage of topics is Great. Gino takes his time explains the event and relating it to nationalism. The charm of video looks pretty funny and gave me a laugh. Having a more presentational voice and speaking louder would make it easier to understand. Additionally, increasing the pace of your speech can be beneficial. Over all the video wasn’t the best and I would give it developing. Improving the audio and visuals is what I would focus on in the future. Developing ⛅️ .

I want to use this critique for the next video so I can make a better video with it I want to make a more engaging content and improved audio and visuals. With the critique, I want to be better videos and have better audio. Next time I want to have better visuals in my video and put a lot more effort into later projects.

WW1 comic 

Making the comic is very fun, However I should’ve manage my time better while making the  comic. We had about two weeks to make the comic but I should’ve used more of the two weeks and manage my time better during those two weeks I should have set up my comic and done better visuals and use my time better before exhibition happened. I have realized now that I need to learn how to manage my time better and make a schedule for each project so I know what to get done for each time even if PLP this year was less organized I should still be  able to manage my time better than I did this year. 

Growth Plan form my pols

I want to get better at completing my homework. Ways that I can be successful in this area are by managing my time better and putting my phone away so it is not a distraction and asking my teachers and parents for help when I need it rather than avoiding the work and not doing it. If I can remind myself to stay focused, I can be more successful in completing my work.

My growth plan

I want to get better at managing my time during school hours and making a schedule so I know exactly what to do during school and I know exactly what to do for the rest of my day. I want to schedule out school and other activities I have after school. During projects I will make a schedule, so I get it done on time and have it where I won’t be tired at the end of the project.