Izzy’s Imagination

Have you ever been to a heavy duty truck mechanic shop? No? Well neither had I, that is until now. For take your kid to work day, instead of going with either my mom or dad, I decided to go with my aunt and uncle to their company. Coast PowerTrain is a heavy duty truck mechanic shop, and I got to spend the day shadowing my aunt as she did her daily routine. 

She picked me up at 7am to drive to New Westminster, where its located. We started by getting me situated in my aunts office, then she took me on a mini tour which ended by the coffee machine. After that, I got started on my first job, moving old files and statements into the storage room. It was a tedious task, but it gave me an opportunity to learn more about the company and its history. The files were stacked high, filled with decades worth of information and transactions.

Once I had finished moving the old files, it was time for my second job – filing the new purchase files. This task was much more organized and straightforward. I was given a list of files to locate and sort through, making sure each document found its rightful place. It felt satisfying to bring order to the chaos, knowing that these files would be easily accessible for future reference.

With my assigned tasks completed, I decided to take some time to explore the mechanic side of Coast Powertrain. As I walked through the bustling workshop, the sound of tools and machinery filled the air. I saw a team of skilled mechanics working diligently on various vehicles, from buses to concrete trucks. They were engrossed in their work, fixing engines, replacing parts, and ensuring that each vehicle was in top condition.

After spending some time in the mechanic side, I continued exploring the rest of the facility. I stumbled upon the shipping department, a bustling hub of activity. Boxes and packages were being labeled, organized, and loaded onto trucks for delivery. My uncle, the general manager, was overseeing the operations, making sure everything was running efficiently. Feeling a sense of accomplishment from my day’s activities, I decided to head back to my aunt’s office for lunch.

Once lunch was finished, I was given my last task of the day, inventory. I got suited up in a work jacket, shown the basics, and I was on my way. I headed upstairs to the smaller parts, and went row by row. It was a big job, taking up several hours to finish it all. But once I was done, I was satisfied with my efforts. Then at 4:30pm, it was time to head out for the day.

I got to see what its like to run a company, and let me tell you, its no easy job. While I wasn’t working, I was watching my aunt send out hundreds of emails, do payroll, taxes, alongside many other things. She was the controller, the glue that held that company together, and she was handling that pressure with ease. I know that I will never be a mechanic or anything in that, but I have a newfound respect for the people who are, who help change the transportation industries and systems for the better.

Take Your Kid To Work Day: CoastPowertrain Style

As I stood atop the towering peaks of Sulphur Mountain , the crisp mountain air filling my lungs and the unreal views unfolding before my eyes, I couldn’t help but marvel at the profound impact of geography on our lives. My recent eight-day trip to Banff, Alberta, focused on exploring the five themes of geography (Location, Place, Human-Environment Interaction, Movement & Region), and exploring into the rich history of the Canadian Pacific Railway, has left an mark on my understanding of Canada’s western landscape and the unique lifestyle it has fostered.

Our journey took us through a diverse range of locations, each filled with its own stories and important facts that help make the West. From the historic Rogers Pass, where the jagged mountains where railway workers who connected a nation, to the enchanting Cave and Basin, with magical underground hot springs and a pungent sulphur smell.

Yet, it was the breathtaking ascent up The Six Planes of Glaciers hike that truly made me appreciate the beauty of the Canadian Rockies. With every step along the trail, I could feel the earth’s geological history beneath my feet, as the intensity of the hike challenged my body.

During our journey, I came to realize how the geography of the West has shaped not only the land but also the people who call it home. The majestic mountains, deep valleys, and massive waterways have carved a rugged character into the region, one that mirrors the resilience and diversity of those who have settled here. The Canadian Pacific Railway, a symbol of determination and nation-building, served as a testament to the transformative power of geography.

Yet, this trip was not just about the land; it was also a profound lesson in the people who inhabit it. As I interviewed locals for my investigative video I discovered a shared sense of wonder and appreciation for the vast expanse of the Canadian West. It was also a bonding experience for my classmates and I, spending everyday together only strengthened the relationships we made.

Everything we learned along the way was put into a multi touch book. It gave us questions that would guide us to a deeper understanding of the locations, but also give us space to make our own interpretations and connections. It is what holds all of our knowledge of the trip, and it shows our personality while exploring the sights and significance of the West.

As I reflect on those eight unforgettable days, I can’t help but be grateful for the opportunity to explore my own country and learn about its history in such a immersive way. This journey has not only deepened my understanding of the geographical forces that have shaped Canada’s western landscape but has also given me respect for the people who have made it their home. It was more than a trip; it was an expedition of self-discovery, resilience, and learning all about the beauty and history of the Canadian Rockies and the wild, Wild West.

“How might I use the moving image to tell a story?”

This is the driving question for our entire Maker class. We were asked this at the beginning of the school year, to help us imagine whatever our answers might be. And though it is only October, I have hundreds of answers and 4 videos to show my learning. So sit back and relax as I take you through a journey, the Maker way.

Silent Video

We started the whole project with the Silent Video. We were put in groups of four, and had to plan a video using no words to be filmed at Three Valley Gap, a ghost town and our 2nd stop of the first day. We decided on a story like a comic, that followed a chase between 2 people. The concept was to make an old timey movie that was a minute or under. Our plan had to follow the format of a Story Spine, and once we had an approved plan, we could start deciding props and finalize our ideas. And once we got on the bus and arrived, it was go time. 

Once we got there, we immediately split up into our groups and started filming. My group decided to start at the Golden Wheel Saloon and followed a path that led to the Roundhouse, where all the trains were kept. We filmed along the way, and once we had our last shot and got it approved by Mrs. Maxwell & Miss Kadi, we started editing. And 2 weeks later, we submitted it to the public (or at least to YouTube).

All About Me (an at home video)

I was on trip 2, so while trip 1 was away, we started a new video, one all about us. We were given some questions to answer about ourselves, what we like, dislike and what we dream about. In class, we were to create a script that would be the voiceover for our video, but most of the filming was done on our own time. We had a week to have a rough cut, a peer critique, and a final copy by Friday. So, once we got all the information we needed, I started planning.

I spent Monday and Tuesday on planning and writing my script, trying to find unique ways to express my personality through my writing. I made sure I had enough shots to fill up the time, and once I was certain with my script, I started filming. Most of it I was able to film by myself, but for some of the frames I required help from someone. Wednesday and Thursday were filming days, and once I had everything, I began editing, and had a finished product by Friday morning. I was proud of my video, how I was able to answer the questions and show a lot of my personality and what makes me, well me!

My Montage Video (TikTok #1) Clap Trend (TikTok #2)

Before trip 2 left, we were given another assignment. The TikTok videos were the only ones that were completely up to us. The guidelines were simple, you had to have 1 video that shows you on the trip, and everything was up to us. Maddie, a friend, and me decided we would do 2 videos together. The ideas had to be briefed and approved by the teachers, then you could start filming. There were no designated spots for us to film, so we had endless possibilities. 

On the trip, Maddie and I filmed in several places. Lake Louise, Moraine and Minnewanka, Columbia Icefield, Cave and Basin, and many more. We did 2 different videos, one with a montage of photos from the trip, and another was a clap video. We had so much fun coming up with creative ideas and filming our TikTok videos. We wanted to showcase the beautiful locations we visited, but also inject some humor and personality into our videos. The montage video featured stunning shots of the scenery, interspersed with funny moments throughout the trip. It was a great way to capture the essence of our trip and create a lasting memory.

My Investigative Video

The last video we did was the most challenging by far. We had to come up with a thesis to base the whole video around, and we had to interview people to find evidence towards it. This particular video connects more with the Humanities Blogpost, as we are connecting our thesis to that driving question, “How has the geography of the West shaped who we are?” For my investigative video, I decided to focus on the stereotypes surrounding the West Coast Life. I spent multiple hours brainstorming ideas before finally narrowing down our thesis statement: “The West Coast is known for its beautiful and unique sights, but it is also known for its specific symbols and stereotypes.”

To gather evidence for my video, I interviewed as many people as I could, trying to get a variety of differing opinions. I gathered information, took photos and videos, and captured footage of my interviews. Once I had all of my necessary shots and photos, I started the editing.  The editing process was a lengthy one, as I had hours of interview footage and breathtaking scenic shots. I carefully selected the most compelling stories and visuals that best supported my thesis. Finally, after countless hours of editing and refining, I had my finished investigative video that I was proud of. 

Conclusion

Through these four videos, I have learned the power of storytelling through the moving image. Each video allowed me to explore different aspects of filmmaking, from silent storytelling to personal reflection, and from creative expression to investigative journalism. I have not only expanded my editing skills but also gained a deeper appreciation for the art of visual storytelling. As I reflect on my journey in the Maker class through the Rockies, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to explore the world of filmmaking and discover my own voice within it.

DRIVING QUESTION

Why do you feel you are ready to advance to the next grade level?

As I stand here and think about the past school year, I can’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment wash over me. It’s hard to believe that an entire year has gone by so quickly.  As a student, I have experienced a wide range of emotions over this year – excitement, anxiety, joy, frustration – you name it. But despite all the ups and downs, I can honestly say that this has been a transformative year for me in many ways. It’s been a unique year, and I want to take a closer look at what I’ve learned and how I’ve grown as a result of my experiences. 

https://www.blog44.ca/izabeller/2023/01/25/mpol-2023/

To go back to my mPOL at the beginning of the semester, I talked a lot about how I had always felt as if my opinion should only be expressed outside of school, and that my work should show what I think the teachers wanted to hear. But now, I have started expressing my opinions more and more, which has not only helped my work but made me a good leader in other people’s eyes. I think that point was a really good learning skill for me in the fall, and it will help me feel good about my work for many years to come. 

Strengths 

https://www.blog44.ca/izabeller/2023/05/28/plp-oregon-2023-

One strength that came up this semester was my perseverance. I knew I had some, but it was tested throughout the PLP 8 trip to Oregon. During the trip, we were faced with a lot of challenges, from working with new people on quests to being flexible as we travelled all around Oregon. At times, I was exhausted and wanted to go home, but I pushed through and kept going. I realized that my perseverance not only helped me feel better about my learning but also inspired me to enjoy all of what our head teachers had planned for us. This realization gave me a sense of pride and motivation to continue pushing through the days to come. Some days were hard, from being tired, thrown into new surroundings every day, and never knowing where you might end up. I feel as if the trip made me appreciate getting to learn and grow as a student by putting us into these situations, and I think this has changed my outlook on learning for the better. Overall, this experience strengthened my belief in my abilities and taught me that perseverance can truly make a difference in achieving our goals.

Growing points 

https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/842310134/

One of my biggest growing points this semester is when we were assigned to make video games. I love science, and the context around the game, different states of matter and how they affect us, I loved learning about that. But coding games are not a strength for me. I procrastinated so much, trying to think of a way to figure out how to create a game, I started to fall behind. But I watched a few videos on YouTube, asked my teacher and peers, and spent hours on it, and I finally figured it out. I do have to give a special shout-out to Finn, who helped me with the fine-tuning of the coding process, and without him, I would have a half-finished video game. I now have lots of respect for coders and video game designers. The entire creation process was not made for the faint of heart, but it was a good learning and growing experience for me and will come in handy in the future. 

Accomplishment 

I am adding a new category to my list of strengths and areas to grow, which includes reflecting on my accomplishments from the past year. I am proud of how much I have grown as a learner, specifically in public speaking, collaboration, and time management. I overcame my fears and gained confidence, learned the importance of collaboration, and improved my time management skills even more. Reflecting on these accomplishments reminds me that growth is continuous and I am excited to continue developing as a learner in the future. Both exhibitions, my mPOL and even my blog posts are all evidence of how I have grown as a learner. From being a student who wrote their assignments for the teacher’s preferences to express my feelings and opinions, or even the confidence I hold, are all signs that I am heading in the right direction, and make me extremely excited for my future years in PLP.  

Conclusion 

The driving question puzzled me for a while, but I now am certain that I have figured it out. This last year has been crazy in the best and worst ways, which have caused lots of opportunities for growth and learning moments. I have learned skills I never thought I could comprehend, let alone master. From becoming more confident in my own opinions, to directing an audience, to even writing a blog post. I know that these are just the beginning of my learning and discoveries, and I feel as if I can’t wait to experience them all. So to answer the driving questions, I don’t feel ready at all, but I have tools and experiences that can help me along the way, and that’s as ready as I can be.

As I reflect on the past school year, I can’t help but think about the succession of the Spring exhibition and the phases I went through to get there.

Beginning and Planning:

When the project was first announced, I was exited and eager to start right away. The first few weeks after that, before we went on our field study, we did all the research and planning. We looked into the history of our establishment, what customers they wanted to attract, and what questions we would ask them once we got there. I was assigned Kam Meng, a Chinese restaurant in Newport, Oregon, that had a fascinating story behind their restaurant.

Once we get to Kam Meng, we learn lots of little details about the restaurant to make our ad represent them. Their colour scheme is black, white and green with little pops of colour. They wanted their famous seafood hotpot to be in the ad, along with bamboo. They wanted our ads to be informative but casual, and show the family-friendly side of it. So once we got back to Vancouver, I started immediately on my ad.

Creation: 

Creating an ad is very difficult. When I made my first draft, I thought I had gotten the idea right away, but i was very wrong. It took me at least 8 try’s to get something half decent, let alone good enough to present. Lots of changing colours, positioning photos and adding bamboo later, and I arrived at my final draft. It was a long process, but I was extremely pleased with my product, and was excited to move on to the exhibition.

Planning our station

When it was time to design and plan our table, the first task was to assign a DRI (designated responsible individual) to your group. Everyone decided that I would be the best DRI, so I started to plan and give people tasks. We stuck to the colour scheme and ideas Kam Meg gave us, and everything was starting to look really good. 

We decided to incorporate Kam Meg’s idea of using black, white and green, so we found green table clothes and made fake bamboo to use as decorations. We wanted to keep it simple yet casual but still show the best of Kam Meng, so we made our snack table a piano, symbolizing the importance of it.

As the DRI, my job was to ensure that everyone was on track with their tasks and that everything was coming together as planned. I would regularly check in on each group member and provide feedback to ensure that everything was meeting our expectations.

Exhibition day

In the end, our table looked amazing! The table really brought our ideas to life, and it felt like we showed everyone what Kam Meng can do. We were all proud of what we had accomplished together, and it was clear that our hard work and dedication had paid off. The exhibition was so fun, getting to see what my classmates created and how we all expressed our ads with such confidence. It was such a great experience, and I’m already looking forward to the winter exhibition next school year!

DRIVING QUESTION

How does advertising persuade, sell, and influence society?

Advertising creates a desire for a product by highlighting its benefits and uses language, imagery and emotion to make it desirable. It reaches a wide audience through different mediums and can influence what society values and aspires to. It can also create a lifestyle or culture associated with a product. It’s a tool that’s not only useful, but will help you reach lots of people at once. Advertising plays a big role in shaping consumer behavior, values, and attitudes. For a small business like Kam Meng, advertisement could help them reach new customers and show off their various food options.

I just returned from a week-long field study to Oregon, and it was an incredible experience. From seeing a gun library, to visiting the Astoria Column and learning about disappearing guns, to visiting High Life Adventures for some thrilling zip-lining, there was never a dull moment.

One of the most fascinating things we learned about was the impact of colonization on the Chinook tribes and their use of Western Red cedar trees. The Tillamook Valley settlers, on the other hand, were able to capitalize on the wet climate to raise dairy cows and establish a successful creamery.

We also had the opportunity to participate in some citizen science projects, from studying different types of shrimp to conducting a race experiment with crabs. And let’s not forget our attempts at building a functioning robot, which taught us an important lesson about simplicity and functionality.

My favourite experience was visiting Wolf Haven, a sanctuary that rescues and cares for wolves and other endangered species. Learning about the prairies and First Nations’ use of plants only added to the experience.Of course, no trip to Oregon would be complete without a visit to the Yaquina Head Lighthouse, a remarkable structure with a fascinating history.

I loved getting to bond with my classmates and explore different surroundings. I have attached my field journal along at the bottom, so you can get the full experience of my trip while sitting right at home! Overall, it was an amazing trip full of learning, adventure, and appreciation for the natural world. I can’t wait for the next field study!

This semester in science was my favourite by far, and here’s why!

Keystone 1.  Who Am I?

In the first keystone , we learned about mass, volume, and density. We discovered that mass is the amount of matter in an object, volume is the amount of space the object takes up, and density is the measure of how tightly packed the matter in an object is. We learned how to calculate these measurements using various formulas and by using different equipment like triple beam balances and rulers. We also saw how these measurements differ for different objects of the same size and how they can be used to identify materials. Our project was to measure an object of our choosing, me choosing my phone, and find the mass, volume, density, physical properties, and qualitative and quantitative observations. This was a fun project and taught us how to discover the dimensions and mass of different objects.

Keystone 2.  Gummy Bear Diffusion 🍬🧸

In the second keystone, we dissolved gummy bears in different types of water to see how they were affected by the different states of matter. We learned that hot water dissolves gummy bears faster than cold water, fizzy water didn’t dissolve at all, and ice freezing the gummy bear.  We also saw how the gummy bears changed shape and mass during the dissolution process. They all grew in the end of the experiment, cold water being the biggest and hot water being the smallest and the only one that was semi-dissolved. This project was really fun, and we got to observe the bears as they were affected by matter. 

Keystone 3.  Scratch Video Game 🎮

In the third keystone, w had to make video games, so I made mine about about the different states of matter, including plasma. We used scratch to code our games, and that was not an easy task, but we figured it out. The process itself was very straightforward, but the coding took a bit of time, so I needed help form my fellow classmates for some of the codes. Everyone’s end result was amazing, each unique to the creator and still showing the aspect of states of matter. This project taught us about the creative process of making video games and how to make educational material engaging and interactive.

My video game ⬇️

https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/842310134/

All these keystones were so fun to do, and helped my understanding of the states of matter and the mass in and around them. 

Through these few months in science, we have been focusing on the microorganisms all around us, whether in our body or our environment and expressing our knowledge through keystones.

Our first keystone we were observing things through the microscope, varying from leaves to our phones. We spent a week doing this, then we experimented and made a field journal to keep notes and observations. The experiment was to swab parts of the school to show how microorganisms are all around us. I decided to swab the science class door on one side of my Petri dish, and an empty shelf on the other, with my hypothesis that the more used surface had the most thriving organism. We observed them grow bacteria for 1 week, then made our final scientific decision. This keystone showed us that many tasks can be done by using the scientific method and that its used for more than projects.  

The second keystone was focused on the innate and immune systems and the roles they have in your body. We spent the first week of the project learning about both systems, gathering information from the slideshows so we can have the best understanding of our keystone. Once we learned all about our body’s many immune systems, we moved on to our project, which was one of my favourite projects this year. We had to make character cards for the 5 most important parts of our immune system (white blood cell, macrophage, T cell, B cell and antibodies), and create or find characters for each of them. I used my favourite characters from Brooklyn 99, and I’m proud to say that it was the best choice. 

Our last and most current keystone was focused on biases in science, especially around vaccines. We learned about the polio disease and vaccine, and how propaganda in the news can shape people’s perspective on things. Then after we were given all the necessary information, we got assigned our assignment, a vaccine infographic. We got in partners and chose a different rumour to write about, my partner and I chose the “microchips” in vaccines. I was very proud of my poster, as I spent lots of time perfecting it, and now have knowledge of how to use Canva!

All the projects are down below, and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Field Journal Template

5 images

For our final Keystone in Humanities before the break, we were given the task of creating a Travelogue. We had 4 expeditions to chose from, and then would have to write the log from first person, from either a page get on the voyage, or the captain himself. I chose Vasco da Gama, the captain of the Expedition to India, as not a lot of people chose to write about him. This project was really fun to create and has taught me tons about the early explorations that shaped our world. So enjoy the travelogue, and hopefully it will improve your knowledge about the Portuguese exploration!