Blog 5a: Science Fair Problem Statement

1) Topic: 

Auto Mechanics

2) Problem in your topic. What will you do once you solve the problem?

A problem in my topic is the type of oil a car uses for lubrication and cooling throughout the whole system. I want to work with synthetic oils to try to find a way to dilute the weight of the oil to as low as 1w when cool and also modify it so that when hot, the oil will be as thick as 50w. If I can manage to do this, I will promote the shop in which I work by using this type of oil for cars that need oil changes. 

3) Problem in your topic. What will you do once you solve the problem? 

A problem in my topic is that when working on cars, you sometimes need to take apart a lot of the car or a whole part to be able to fix the diagnosed problem. The problem with this is that disassembling a part can be a very long process. I want to find a way to make this process easier and if I can figure out how to do so, I would like to get the method across to my mentor to help him out when he has to do such a thing, thus decreasing the time it takes to fix a car and increasing the amount of customers we get. 

Blog 4: Project Reflection and working EQ

The Pentagon 

Positive statement: What positive thing happened as a result of what you have completed so far?

Thanks to the interview, I found out that I had 2 uncles in East LA that both own an auto repair shop, which can help a lot with my senior project. I also learned that the best way to learn about auto mechanics, is to get a lot of hands-on training. 

EQ Content: How has your interview helped you improve the understanding of your topic?

My interview helped with the understanding of my topic because I learned that to really be successful in auto mechanics, you have to really like it because it's a lot of work and if you just don't have the passion or patience for it, you really have no business doing it. I also learned a bit more about how the transmission and engine differ and which is easier to work with and why. 

What has worked for you so far in the senior project? 

The hands-on work and note taking that I did when I was working at the shop has helped me more than any piece of research I've found. The only problem is that I haven't been able to go to the shop because of the location of it. 

What hasn't worked so far? 

The research checks haven't really helped me with the understanding of my topic. It might be that I'm maybe not doing the right type of research, but I haven't really found the research all that helpful. I learned more in one day at the shop than I did from 4 pieces of research. 

Finding Value: Based on your experience so far, 

What possible questions come to mind regarding what you want to learn this year? 
 I really just wanna study auto mechanics this year and learn as much about it as possible. Questions that come to mind about this are, mainly about what I will have to study to become a certified mechanic such as, will I have to take an auto technician class to be able to work with today's cars? Where can I take an auto mechanics class at my age? If I can't take a class on auto mechanics, is there another way, besides the mentor ship, to get a better understanding of my topic?

What is your end goal with this senior project? 
My end goal is for me to know enough about cars to be able to work as a mechanic along with my mentor because I know he could use an extra hand around the shop and I would also want to be able to have enough experience to be able to take an automotive ASE class to become a certified mechanic.

Who would you like to talk to next? Why?
For my next interview, I would like to interview my mentor, Charles Madrigal because I know he will be able to help me out with my project more than my first interview, only because my first interviewee lives in East LA and my mentor lives near me so I would be able to directly go to him for anything. I also haven't been able to go to the shop so I don't want my mentor to think that I won't be going back

Blog 3: Interview Preparation

1. Who do you plan to interview? Why? 

I plan on interviewing my mentor, Charles Madrigal. I want to interview him because he's been working with cars almost all of his life and I know he can help me with putting me on the right track and can help me find more mechanics that he thinks can help me throughout my senior project. 

2. You have to ask 5 open ended questions. 

1. I'm interested in studying auto mechanics. What can you tell me about it?

2. From your perspective, what can I study that would be significant to other people?

3. Who else would you recommend I talk to?

4. What kinds of places or activities do you recommend I do for my mentorship component?

5. What books should I read in this field? Who else can I interview? 

Blog 2: Topic Choice

A: What is your topic and why? 

My topic is auto mechanics. I chose this because now that I started driving, I realized that I don't only have to worry about how I drive, but I also have to worry about the maintenance of my car. After realizing this, I noticed that I know nothing about cars. I've always found cars interesting, but I never really took the time to learn anything about them. After my 10 hours, I thought that working with cars is actually pretty cool and, in a sense, fun. Now, I really want to learn more about cars because I think that if I can learn enough about them, I might just have fun with my senior project after all and I might develop a new found love for working with cars.

B: What do you hope to accomplish this year with this topic? (connecting you answer to each of the 4 ESLRs)

• iPoly Citizen: During my 10 hours, I learned that working with cars is more difficult than working with people because one of the main skills that you need to have as a mechanic is patience. Auto mechanics requires a lot of patience because if something doesn't work out the way you planned or you can't figure out what the problem of the car is, you will get frustrated unless you have a lot of patience. Through this topic, I plan to learn to have patience with things which will, in turn, also allow me to have patience with people. Not only that, but if I really start to become good at auto mechanics, I can help out people at iPoly that are having problems with their cars. 
• Effective Communicator: As a mechanic, you have to know how to talk to people because you have to talk to customers and people working at auto shops. My mentor taught me that one of the most important things to know is how to talk to people because although you won't work them much, when you do, it'll be important. You have to know how to talk to people at auto shops so that, if possible, you can get car parts for a lower price than they usually are. As for your customers, you have to know how to explain to them what exactly is wrong with their car and you have to know how to listen to them to try to decipher what the problem with their car is as soon as they get to the shop. I plan to learn how to better communicate with people by learning to communicate with our clients. 
• Effective Learner: There are a lot of things that you have to know when it comes to cars. You have to know the inner mechanisms, how things work, and how to fix them. Through this topic, I plan to learn how to remember and store a lot of information at once.
• Effective User of Technology: Because of the advancements of technology in cars, I have to know how to work the computers in cars how to check what and if there are any problems with the computers of the car. I plan to learn as much as possible about working with the computers of cars and better my understanding of developing technologies.