Water we doing?
In the 'Water We Doing?' project we were split up into groups of four, in which we created our own projects in order to apply for the Siemens 'We Can Change the World' Challenge: a competition for high school students put on by Discovery Education and the Siemens Corporation. Students create innovative solutions to world problems by conducting scientific research and experiments. For the purpose of the project, we were required to do something related to water.
In my group we chose to look into how soaps, specifically shampoos, affect the environment. We researched chemicals used in shampoos and their effects on plants. Based on that research we created and ran an experiment to see those effects first-hand. We came away with conclusive evidence that shampoos can harm the environment, and an easy solution to prevent that. During this project I learned about water quality and tests, as well as how to create experiments and conduct scientific research. While getting ready to display the results of our projects during exhibition I was also able to hone my Photoshop skills.
In my group we chose to look into how soaps, specifically shampoos, affect the environment. We researched chemicals used in shampoos and their effects on plants. Based on that research we created and ran an experiment to see those effects first-hand. We came away with conclusive evidence that shampoos can harm the environment, and an easy solution to prevent that. During this project I learned about water quality and tests, as well as how to create experiments and conduct scientific research. While getting ready to display the results of our projects during exhibition I was also able to hone my Photoshop skills.
For our project, Shampoo vs. Plants, we conducted an experiment about how chemicals used in shampoos can affect the environment, specifically plants. We planned on using the results to show people how shampoo can change the environment, concluding that they would be negative based on our research. We theorizing that educating people would motivate them to make more environmentally friendly decisions, therefore decreasing water contamination.
We hypothesized that if we placed three plants in three separate containers, one containing water mixed with a chemical shampoo, one with natural shampoo, and one with no shampoo, the plant with chemical shampoo would die first due to the chemicals.
To test our hypothesis we conducted the experiment described above. We placed the plants outside for 5 days of observation over a total of a two week period. We wrote down everything that we noticed was changing, including: smell, texture, color, temperature, and many other miscellaneous pieces of information.
After collecting our data and analyzing it, we conducted further research. Based on that research we were able to conclude that the Natural shampoo is indeed better for the environment.
We hypothesized that if we placed three plants in three separate containers, one containing water mixed with a chemical shampoo, one with natural shampoo, and one with no shampoo, the plant with chemical shampoo would die first due to the chemicals.
To test our hypothesis we conducted the experiment described above. We placed the plants outside for 5 days of observation over a total of a two week period. We wrote down everything that we noticed was changing, including: smell, texture, color, temperature, and many other miscellaneous pieces of information.
After collecting our data and analyzing it, we conducted further research. Based on that research we were able to conclude that the Natural shampoo is indeed better for the environment.
During this project I learned that you can't put someone in charge if they don't want that position or don't have the knowledge or skills to do a good job. I also learned that I don't trust many people to do a good job. I learned that the world is a cruel place and there is a lot that I can be thankful for, but there are still problems close to home that we need to solve. Out everything in this project that I could be proud of, I'm proud of the fact that we managed to finish it successfully. It was hard, and it was confusing, but we finished it, and we actually learned something. Although that doesn't mean that other people will care about it.
While applying for the Siemens Challenge was a great way to create a project where students could be independent and also have structure, it seemed a bit pointless in the end. Only a few of the projects created a relevant and innovative solution. We didn't have enough time or freedom to create something truly meaningful, and compared to other Siemens Challenge applications, ours won't really stand a chance. Even then, however, our Festival del Sol exhibition was amazing. We put a lot of effort into preparing for our exhibition, and it payed off. We managed to turn our classroom into a professional exhibit that impressed visitors.
While applying for the Siemens Challenge was a great way to create a project where students could be independent and also have structure, it seemed a bit pointless in the end. Only a few of the projects created a relevant and innovative solution. We didn't have enough time or freedom to create something truly meaningful, and compared to other Siemens Challenge applications, ours won't really stand a chance. Even then, however, our Festival del Sol exhibition was amazing. We put a lot of effort into preparing for our exhibition, and it payed off. We managed to turn our classroom into a professional exhibit that impressed visitors.