Content Reflection
Throughout my research, I learned a vast amount of information regarding supplements and the overall role that they play in the community. When I first began my research, I had no idea the lack of rules and regulations that are around these dietary supplements. Through my prior knowledge, I was able to connect the metabolic pathways in humans and the fruit flies, which allowed me to have a baseline for my research. However, I needed to know more about basic husbandry and the proper way to go about doing my own research on a model organism. Through hours upon hours of countless research and making sure that I had developed a good methodology, I learned exactly what goes into a research project, even one that was as simple as mine. As a result of my research, I learned that there is a connection between metabolism and longevity in fruit flies and that with the administration of 7-Keto DHEA, there was a decrease in average longevity of the fruit flies. This suggests some evidence that there may have been an impact in the metabolism of the fruit flies through the administration of this supplement.
In the future, I will look at this research and reflect on the overall methodology that I used and how I could utilize this methodology in college to further this specific project, or even to apply it with other various supplements. I have also gained a vast amount of knowledge in how to perform a research project with model organisms and the process behind getting approval. I will also apply the importance of making sure that I am on top of my research and making sure that everything is in place before I begin the actual research process.
Product Process
Throughout the process of writing my paper, I learned about the structure of writing a paper by myself. I had written one paper before, however, I did the paper in a group and it was highly guided and structured. In addition, in my AP seminar class I had to give multiple presentations, however, they were much shorter and they analyzed existing information, rather than presenting my own findings. I was able to see just the amount of work that goes into writing a paper on your own findings and ultimately I found myself constantly looking at papers that shaped my research to see their structure and how I could apply this to my own paper in order to fit the field in which my research was under. In addition, through my presentation, I learned a lot about the depth in which I needed to be knowledgeable about many aspects of my paper, while making sure that I was able to talk about my project deeper than what was put into my presentation.
In the future, I know how to put a presentation together and I am able to prepare for the presentation process, especially after knowing the requirements for a basic presentation. In addition, the questions that I was asked through the many times that I gave my presentation that I didn't initially think of made me think about future projects. Because I want to go into a field where a lot of research is done, knowing what will often be asked as well as knowing what is needed for basic information will help me to be more successful in the future. In addition, I also know how to write an academic paper from scratch and all by myself, whereas in the past I only knew how to do it in a group. This process has allowed me to see just how much work goes into it and I have definitely gained a deeper appreciation for every piece of research that goes out. I will be applying these skills for so many years into the future, especially considering that I will be doing research in college and beyond.
Process Reflection
As far as what I have learned outside of my research, I know that research is something that I enjoy, and I have learned that I have a love-hate relationship with my research. I found that research is something that I can definitely be passionate about and can see myself doing in the future because of the structure and organization that comes with it, but also the ability to be flexible as needed. While I was researching, I made some of the best memories, and also some of the worst. I learned to be optimistic, even when it appeared that things were going downhill and I learned so many important lessons regarding resilience and perseverance. The memories that I have made through my research, but also with the people I did my research alongside and the long-lasting bonds that I made as a result.
I will carry my project forward and continue to know that no matter what happens, I will always have a plethora of knowledge and understanding around my topic as well as the process of research. Although I am more than certain that I will be doing research in the future, even if I don't I will be able to have the knowledge to last me a lifetime, and I have learned to always be skeptical of anything that I see, and to always look deeper than what is shown in the bold print.