ELA Component

Option 1. The Journal

For my ELA component in my PBL level III project I have chose option 1, the journal. The option was designed to provide students with a plan to help them reflect on all the aspects of their project. The journal will have at least 10 journal entries with a span of nine weeks of school. The date and entry number will be written at the beginning of every new entry. Each entry needs to be around seven to eight sentences. Entries will be on various topics including, but not limited to, the process of developing the idea of the project, your research process, any assistance you received from a teacher or another peer, your thoughts on diagrams or visuals, revisions of the project, details and outcomes of each experiment, and how the project might assist with future career goals.

My Journal

Entry #1. ( September/ 6/ 2013)

I selected my project, Ruben's Tube, because, in last year's project, I witnessed a classmate do the same project and I really enjoyed it. To me the project seemed like a fun, exciting, interesting project. What I saw was a tube on fire making music with its flames. I was so amazed by the project and did not understand how it worked. At the time it seemed impossible to understand the science behind it. This year when I had the opportunity to conduct this project, I did not think twice before selecting it. Now, I have realized that the science behind it is not impossible to understand, but that it will be challenging to construct my project and conduct it.

Entry # 2. (September/ 10/ 2013)

I began my project by simply reading the Wikipedia article on the project. In the article I learned the whole history behind the project, such as the inventor of the project. I learned how Heinrich Rubens, the inventor, started the thought of the project and how slowly he kept improving the design and workings of it. It really helped me to read the history of it, because it inspired me how from such a simple idea someone can make such an interesting mechanism.I learned that the experiment was conducted in order to mearsure sound waves. Unfortunately, I found out that due to the advances in technology the Ruben's Tube experiment has become futile, and has been replaced with advanced sound wave measuring devices.

Entry # 3. (September/ 12/ 2013)

After I researched the project on Wikipedia, I began researching it on the "Instructables" website. On the website I was taught how the Ruben's Tube was constructed, the materials needed, and different methods of constructing it. According to the website, the materials needed are, drilling machine, long metal tube, gas pipe, gas cylinder, speaker wire, guitar amplifier, crocodile clips stand for the tube, wire cutters, screw drivers, scissors, Amplifier wire, and lighter. The website helped me by explaining the experiment in simple words. This really made it easier for me to understand the experiment, and enhance my knowledge on it. The website made me understand what benefits we would be getting out of it and how it was connected with physics. It simply demonstrates the link between sound pressure and sound waves.

Entry # 4. (September/ 14/ 2013)

I began researching more, for my background research paper. I was able to find two different line graphs that explained the difference between the flow of natural gas within the tube, and the height of the flame. The other graph compared the flow of natural gas with the pressure within. For the first graph the units used for the height of the flame were millimeters, and the units used for flow of the gas is per second. For the second graph the units being used to measure is change in pressure per pascals and the flow of the gas is per second. The graphs helped me vissualize what I’ll be measuring while I conduct my experiment.

Entry # 5. (September/16/2013)

Today I worked on my website, specifically on the ELA Component page and on the Social Studies Component page. On the ELA component page I simply created the page and wrote what option I will pick from the ELA component options. I picked the journal because I believe it will help to re read what I have been doing and when I have been doing things. It will truly be helpful to be organized throughout the experiment. On my Social Studies Component page I published the history of the tube. I described who invented the experiment, what were the outcomes, how people reacted to it, and how was the time during that time period.

Entry # 6. (September/20/2013)

After finishing my background research paper, I began watching videos on how to build the Ruben’s Tube. It seemed pretty simple, yet expensive. Some of the materials needed are extremely expensive, and I would have absolutely no use for them besides for the project. I will try and look for more options. Maybe I can use something else besides an amplifier. I will talk to my physics teacher for more information on the materials. I am also thinking of talking to the student who did last years project and ask him how his experience was and what he recommends me to do.

Entry # 7. (September/27/2013)

I am looking for the materials that are needed to build the project (drilling machine, long metal tube, gas pipe, gas cylinder, speaker wire, guitar amplifier, crocodile clips stand for the tube, wire cutters, screw drivers, scissors, Amplifier wire, and lighter) Out of the list I was able to purchase or obtain a drilling machine, wire cutters, screw drivers, scissors, and a lighter. I am not sure where to get the remaining materials from. I have not had a chance to got alk to my teacher about the materials.

Entry # 8. (October/15/2013)

Today I presented my background research paper to my teacher and discussed to him the problem I was having with the materials. To my relief, my teacher will be providing the materials for my experiment. I also found out that you did not need to use everything that was on the list in the website. I can use simpler materials and still get the same accurate results. For example, instead of using the amplifier I can use speakers. We were not able to finish our full discussion; so we decided to meet up a different day for us to finish discussing what we are going to do.

Entry # 9. (November/6/2013)

Today I am working on both Tasks 13 and 14. Task 13 is related with the ELA component, while Task 14 is related to the Social Studies Component. Throughout a nine weeks span period, I have been working on this journal, explaining what I have been doing, thinking, or planning to do. This has gathered a total of 10 entries. What I have to do for Task 13 is to copy the 10 entries onto the ELA Component page on my website. For Task 14, I need to add onto my Social Studies Component page by adding pictures, charts and any other information needed. And after an hour of adding information, copying down my journal and revising, I successfully finished task 13 and 14.

Entry # 10. (November/9/2013)

Today I am going to stay late after school with my physics teacher in order to begin Task 12. Which is basically the whole project itself. For Task 12 we need to finish building our project, taking pictures of it and label all the parts. However I need my teacher’s help to finish my project. I need him to provide all the required materials I was not able to obtain. Because of the complexity of my project, my teacher highly recommended me to work on the project at school, using the lab’s advanced materials. After Task 12, I’ll feel like its all-just downhill from then.