Reflect on your natural default setting. What is it? What can you learn from the ideas expressed in the video? Why do you think the speaker values awareness so greatly?

Follow this link to the project sheet for the Systems of Thought and Natural Philosophy unit. We will be completing this over the next week and a half.

In the coming two weeks, we are going to take on two mini projects. One will be a laser cut art piece representing what you learned from the systems of thought unit. The second will be a science lab in the tradition of the Greek Natural Philosophers that we’ll talk about soon.

We’ll begin working on the art piece over the next week. The laser cutter uses Adobe Illustrator as the software from which you design the piece to be cut. In order to get acquainted with Illustrator, please complete the tutorials on the attached blog page which will help introduce you to illustrator.

Link to Tutorial

Reflect on what differentiates science as a system of thought from other systems we’ve studied.

Reflect on the significance of relationship to existence.

What struck you about this video? What was significant about it with regard to your life?

Link to Questions

Physics 1

Toga Night Part 1: Systems of Thought

Confucianism

Research with a partner to answer all of the following questions.

1.  Who was Confucius?
2. When did he live?
3. What part of China did he live in?
4. What was happening contemporaneously in China preceding, during and after Confucius lived? What was the historical context under which he taught?
5. What is the Hundred Schools of Thought era in Chinese history and how did Confucius play a role in it?
6. What were Confucius’ primary social teachings? What are the five constant teachings? What is filial piety? What is the role of duty and obedience?
7. What were Confucius’ primary political teachings?
8. Is Confucianism considered a religion in China?
9. How has Confucianism influenced modern day Chinese culture and politics?

Physics/Engineering 2

Spring 2014 Final

Be prepared to discuss one of the following topics for 15 minutes with your instructor. You should be able to display a deep understanding of the content related to the topic. I’ve provided additional thoughts on each topic to help you get started. Schedule your final by May 23rd.

Topic 1: Gravity

Students who choose this topic should be prepared to have an in depth discussion of the force of gravity. Be prepared to show your understanding of Newton’s description of gravity, General Relativity, the universal sculpting power of this force, gravitational waves and the current limits of our understanding of this force.

Topic 2: Matter

Students who choose this topic should be prepared to have an in depth discussion of matter. Students should be able to describe what matter is, show an understanding of the different states of matter, understand the theoretical framework that Quantum Theory provides for our understanding of matter, the interactions (electromagnetic, strong and weak nuclear forces as well as gravity) that cause matter to behave the way it does, and recent discovery of the Higgs Field as the mechanism for matter to exist.

Topic 3: Space Science

Students who choose this topic should be prepared to have an in depth discussion about humanity’s push into space. Be prepared to talk about current missions into space and what they have taught us about our solar system, our galaxy, and our universe (Hubble, Cassini, Voyager I and II, ISS, Mars Rover, Space X, Stratos Red Bull, Mars One, VLT, ELT, Kepler, the TESS, and the James Webb are some of the missions you could research). Be prepared to discuss our prospects for finding life elsewhere in the universe and our search for exoplanets.

Topic 4: Entropy and time

Students who choose this topic should be prepared to have an in depth discussion about entropy and its relationship to time. Make sure you have a firm understanding of entropy as well as the theoretical model Special Relativity provides for our understanding of time. Review the seminar article by Sean Carroll as it will be important for this topic.

Topic 5: Light

Students who choose this topic should be prepared to have an in depth discussion about light. What is light? What information does it transmit to us about nature? How do we interact with light? How do other life forms? Why are the implications of light as the universal speed limit? Lots to discuss here.

Topic 6: Technology

Students who choose this topic should be prepared to have an in depth discussion about technology in our modern world. What is the relationship between science and technology? What is the relationship between mathematics and technology? Give examples to support your arguments.What is the importance of Moore’s Law in the development of current technologies? What technologies interest you and why? What are the implications of technological development to our society and culture?

Link to Final

To do list during FreshmanPalooza work time:

FreshmanPalooza

Music Project Sheet

Over the course of the next six weeks, you will have approximately 25 – 30 hours of class time to work on your final music exhibition for FreshmanPalooza. This is a very short period of time, so we’ll need to be extremely efficient in our use of time. Class time should include the following once you’ve decided on a style of music you wish to pursue:

• Listen to at least one new song and one musical act every day over the six week period. If you miss a day, make it up by listening to two the next day. Friends, family, Pandora, teachers, etc are all good inspiration for finding new music.
• Practice, practice, practice. You must practice your instrument at least 30 minutes every day. It would not hurt to practice several hours a day, time permitting. No matter your level of skill, a musical instrument is something you can continuously get better doing. At any given time if you do not have anything else to do, you should be practicing your instrument.
• Write a song. Every person in the musical group must write at least one song. The song you write can follow classical musical structures and chord patterns, or if you wish to break a “rule”, you can. The song should be posted to your blog when you have finished. This should be completed by May 1st.
• Decide on your set list. You should choose at least one cover from an inspirational band and one original from the songs you’ve written. The setlist should be complete by May 2nd so you can practice these songs every day through May until exhibition.
• Record your setlist. You should record and mix your set-list by May 20th and post it to your blog.
• Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. By exhibition your setlist should be second nature. You can begin to add a 3rd or 4th song if you feel comfortable. However, you only need to play two on exhibition.
• Write your research paper. See the notes below for your Research Paper. The final draft is due April 30th.

Research Paper:

As part of the FreshmanPalooza Project, you must complete a research paper on the musical style/musician of your choice. For the research paper, each person in your group must pick a separate inspirational musician and write a research paper answering the following question: how has the musician you’ve chosen been influential to the musical community and how have they influenced your development as a young musician. The paper should be double spaced, 12 – point font, a minimum of two pages and use at least three sources cited with footnotes.

FreshmanPalooza

Photography Project Sheet

Over the course of the next six weeks, you will have approximately 25 – 30 hours of class time to work on your final photography exhibition for FreshmanPalooza. This is a very short period of time, so we’ll need to be extremely efficient in our use of time. Class time should include the following once you’ve decided on a style of photography you wish to pursue:

• Find at least one new photographer each day over the six week period. If you miss a day, make it up by finding two the next day. Teachers, Instagram, National Geographic, Magazines, and Newspapers are all wonderful inspiration for finding new photographers.
• Practice, practice, practice. You must practice taking photos every day. No matter your level of skill, photography is something you can continuously get better doing. At any given time if you do not have anything else to do, you should be taking photos of some sort.
• Learn Photoshop. This tool is indispensable for photographers. In the early going, you need to practice on this software and learn how to use it to create effects such as those used in Instragram. This skill will serve you a great deal in the coming years.
• Make your photos public. Every day you should post at least one new, finished product to your blog and/or Instagram or Facebook account. It should be in the style of photography you’re focusing on. This is important as a daily exercise in developing your skill set.
• Decide on your exhibition space. Work with your teachers to figure out how you want your exhibition set up. You should sketch this out and get approval for it no later than May 1st.
• Frame out and curate your photography exhibit. You can even make your own frames for the images you’ll be displaying.
• Write your research paper. See the notes below for your Research Paper. The final draft is due April 30th.

Research Paper:

As part of the FreshmanPalooza Project, you must complete a research paper on the photographic style/photographer of your choice. For the research paper, you must pick an inspirational photographer or two and write a research paper answering the following question: how has the photographer  you’ve chosen been influential to the photography community and how have they influenced your development as a young photographer. The paper should be double spaced, 12 – point font, a minimum of two pages and use at least three sources cited with footnotes.

FreshmanPalooza

Art Project Sheet

Over the course of the next six weeks, you will have approximately 25 – 30 hours of class time to work on your final art exhibition for FreshmanPalooza. This is a very short period of time, so we’ll need to be extremely efficient in our use of time. Class time should include the following once you’ve decided on an art piece you wish to pursue:

• Find at least one new artist a day in the medium you’re working in. Do research with Mr. Aguirre’s books or through websites. Find a new artist, learn about the historical period he/she worked in and the place this artist had in the larger community.
• Practice, practice, practice. You must draw an image every day. It would be a good idea for you to draw the image you are considering painting. Draw it up to thirty times. These sketches can even be part of your final exhibition, in particular if you keep them in a sketch booklet
• Play with color. Use a color wheel and paints in class to work on mixing colors to match a particular scene. Perhaps you could photograph an image outside and simply try to match the colors in the scene by mixing paints at a small scale.
• Learn photoshop. This is your opportunity to learn a skill valued by painters, sculptors, photographers and artists. Photoshop is a tool which will open up whole worlds of possibility within your art.
• Decide on your final painting. No later than May 1st, you should have a decision on your final product. This can then be the inspiration for your photoshop and sketch work.
• Photoshop your final piece. Have a photoshop image of your final piece complete no later than May 6th.
• Paint your piece. We will create your canvass, and you can begin painting throughout those final few weeks. During this time you should continue to sketch and practice on Photoshop. Given time, you can continue working on additional paintings if you finish the first one.
• Write your research paper. See the notes below for your Research Paper. The final draft is due April 30th.

Research Paper:

As part of the FreshmanPalooza Project, you must complete a research paper on an artist of your choice. For the research paper, pick an artist and write a research paper answering the following question: how has the artist you’ve chosen been influential to the art community and how have they influenced your development as a young artist. The paper should be double spaced, 12 – point font, a minimum of two pages and use at least three sources cited with footnotes.

Link to Document

Physics/Engineering 2

Near Space Balloon Imaging Project Sheet

For this project, we have several different teams working to build our final product. The hope is to launch the weather balloon sometime in early to mid-april. This project sheet should help guide each group in the work they are doing. This is an evolving process where you all have freedom to create within the context of the design. Good luck!

Imaging Team

This group is extremely important to the overall final product. We are looking to capture images from near space. Without this group’s contribution, our task will be impossible. With that in light, the imaging team needs to work on the following over the coming weeks:

• Develop an understanding for how the GoPro works and what its limitations are. You must figure out every mode of operation and be able to easily explain what that mode of operation does. You need to gather information on battery life, powering it, modes of operation and post-processing of GoPro data. You also must make recommendations on additional materials needed for the GoPro such as an sd card and the lcd screen. These recommendations must include cost estimate and manufacturer recommendation.

• Find a second imagine source. Start with the UCSD Near Space Balloon Project and research other balloon imagers as well. Find a second way to capture photos. The recommendation has to account for the fact that we do not have copious amounts of money to throw at this project. We also want quality images.

• Figure out how to best orient the imaging system to capture high quality images. What will happen to battery power in near space? What about the weather? How will that effect lenses? Do we need to keep the cameras warm? How so? There are a multitude of technical issues that need to be resolved within this group.

• Work with the Launch team to decide on how the package will be installed and carried up by the balloon. This method has to be cost effective, light and technically sound.

• Find a solution for powering the imaging system for the duration of the flight. We want to ensure we’re getting footage of the entire flight.

• The imaging team should create a high quality sketch of their final design.

Safety Team

The safety team’s job is critical. If this system fails, we will not have a package or the information to recover. It is paramount that the safety team ensure a safe landing for our package.

• First and foremost the safety team needs to make a recommendation for the parachute we will purchase. Work closely with the launch team to determine the type of parachute. Make sure it can handle a 6 lb payload. Also, use the USCD NSBP as a reference for determining which parachute might make sense.

• The safety team should also work closely with the imaging team to determine how the package will be housed. What light-weight material, inexpensive housing would work best?

• Find a low cost, effective, lightweight GPS system capable of finding the package after it has landed on the earth. This needs to be purchased soon so we can test. Make sure you use recommendations from other people who have done this.

• The safety team should also make recommendations on how to keep the package warm while it is up in space. We could decide and purchase the temperature control system at any point.

• Once the parachute is here, the safety team will be responsible for developing a test for it to ensure proper deployment before our final launch.

• The safety team should create a high quality sketch of the parachute system and its method of deploy.

Launch Team

The launch team is essentially the team that will coordinate the work of every other team. If there are disagreements, the launch team will have a final say on how we proceed. With that in mind the launch team must do the following over the coming weeks.

• Find an appropriate high quality, inexpensive weather balloon. Find reviews from people who have done this as evidence of what we should be doing. Use the UCSD NSBP as a reference or guide. We need this as soon as possible so we can purchase and build.

• Figure out how the balloon will attach to both the parachute to ensure proper deploy and to the imaging package.

• Based on the balloon we purchase, figure out how much helium we will need to fill it with in order for it to easily lift our payload.

• Find a helium vendor and purchase the helium for the launch date.

• Decide on a launch site and time that make sense based on evidence from others who have done this. Is April an ok time to launch?

• Create a high quality sketch of the entire apparatus as it will look when fully built.

Recovery Team

The recovery team has an extremely important job in getting the package back after it has fallen to the earth. You must begin working on the following.

• You must know how to use a GPS system to locate a given spot.

• You must know how to navigate using maps in the backcountry. Work with the launch team to figure out where we will launch. We need to find appropriate maps for the surrounding region so we can find the package once it has landed.

• You must be ready to walk quite a distance if necessary. Be fit.

• Create a high quality sketch of the map showing the launch and land point, telling the story of how the package was recovered.

Outreach

Outreach has a variable job that could turn into quite a bit of work, but will certainly be important and visible in the community.

• Decide on a name for the near space balloon with the help of the class.

• Design and develop a logo

• Design and and create a way to identify the package as ours with all the pertinent information so whoever might find it can contact us.

• Support other groups in gathering donations for materials when that is necessary.

Additional Data

If this is a true science project how can we expand on the science.

• Is a live stream out of the question?

• How can we capture some atmospheric data? Create a system.

• Is there any other data we want to capture?

Documentary

• Document the class work.

• Document the launch and recovery

• Create educational films on how our telescope, mount, ioptron, and sky scout work so others can learn through a video.

Telescope/Astronomy Team

This group will play an integral role in supporting students throughout the school in learning how our astronomical equipment works.

• Work with the documentary crew to create educational films for the telescope, mount, ioptron and sky scout.

• Figure out how all of the above work in order to make the films.

• Create high quality sketches of this equipment for our website.