Blog 26: Senior Project Reflection

1) Positive Statement

I'm really proud of how well my activities turned out.

2) Questions to Consider

2 hour presentation: AP
Overall senior project: CR

3) What worked for you in your senior project?

My mentorship worked out well. It was one of the few areas I stayed diligent in.

4) What didn't work?

If I could change one thing, it would be that I completed my resesrch binder on time.

5) Finding Value

I have become less reluctant to reach out and contact a place of business or an individual about work or information. I have also learned the importance of quality research and now understand how go to about finding it.

Blog 25: Mentorship

L:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AuTNFCpkqhOEdGdJUVJNWUR4NTcyWjE2OVZsS3B4T3c#gid=0

Joe Dumont

(951) 452 2122

I:

My mentorship was by far the most important source for my senior project. If I was told to pick one thing to base my entire presentation on, it would be my mentorship. I learned skills and information that couldn't have been found in a book or on the internet. The most important thing I learned was how delicate the chemical balance of water is,  and how easy it is to change. The detergent and fabric softener in your clothes is really damaging to the balance, but can be compensated for with the use of the correct chemical. 

A:

All of this has led me to not only my three answers, but my best answer as well. I didn't just get to watch my mentor maintain the pools, I got to do it myself. While we took care of certain pools a little differently, the process was the same. Scrub the walls and vacuum the floor, check and balance the chemicals, and backwash the filters. These three things are what maintain a commercial pool for public use.

Blog 22: 3-column chart

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hFiLubCK2dKCdYM9gXHAE7lncmu4XMNOJ-ObwUHPvrs/edit

Blog 20: Three Column Chart

	Statement	Reason	Verification
EQ	1) What is the best way to maintain a commercial pool for public use? 2) maintain: to clean and keep the pool up to code. 3)commercial pool: typically a competition or olympic size pool averaging in 300,000 gallons in capacity or more. 4) public use: when the pool is used by 200 people or more each day.	2) There are laws and regulations requiring the proper disinfection of public pools and spas. 3) These hold much more water, being one of the biggest reasons it is a commercial pool. 4) These pools are open to the public or are used by a number much larger than a pool in a person’s home.	2) CDPH Codes and Regulations 3) David Dreivis - Mentor 4) David Dreivis - Mentor
Foundation	5) ppm: parts per million 6) alkalinity: the capacity of a solution neutralize acids. 7) pH balance: 7.4ppm to 7.6ppm 8) Water hardness: the total concentration of Calcium, Magnesium, and other minerals in the water.	5) The unit of measurement used when the water balance is measured. 6) This is meant to prevent too much acid in the pool, helping to keep the balance. 7) It is a way to measure how acidic or alkaline the water is. Typically 8) Adding the correct amount of Calcium Chloride helps to keep the water hardness balanced.	5) Definition of parts per million 6) Definition of alkalinity 7) Charlie Davis - “Everything you always wanted to know about pool care.” 8) Charlie Davis - “Everything you always wanted to know about pool care.”
Answer #1	9) The water needs to be clean. 10) Chemicals like liquid Chlorine, Sodium Bicarbonate, and Muriatic Acid are added to sanitize the water. 11) Too much of these chemicals can cause harm to humans, but too little can allow the growth of algae and bacteria. 12) Keeping the water chemically balanced is the first way to maintain the pool’s water.	9) Commercial pools are required to stay up to a code set by California. 10) These chemicals are designed to keep the water balanced and clean. 11) pH level helps  indicate the levels of all chemicals used to clean the water, making it easier to balance the water. 12) Balanced water will allow the water to stay sanitized and free from algae.	9) CDPH Codes and Regulations 10) Joe Dumont - Mentor 11) Charlie Davis - “Everything you always wanted to know about pool care.” 12) CDPH Codes and Regulations Joe Dumont - Mentor Charlie Davis - “Everything you always wanted to know about pool care.”
Answer #2	13) It is hard to keep a pool clear of debris without a filter. 14) A pool filter is a key component in pool maintenance. 15) Three types of sand filter exist: Cartridge, Sand, and Diatomaceous Earth filters. 16) Using a sand filter is the second way to maintain a pool for public use.	13) If a pool does not have a filter installed, debris can build up and cause a resistance to water flow. 14) Removes dirt, dust, and other filterable debris that settle at the bottom of the pool. 15) Each has it’s advantages over the other two, but all work to maintain clarity of the water. 16) Without the use of a filter, dirt and debris will collect in the water and will not be suitable for public use.	13) Liner World - “What is the purpose of a pool filter?” 14) Charlie Davis - “Everything you always wanted to know about pool care.” 15) Pool Patio and Beyond - “Pool Filter Guide Information” 16)  Liner World - “What is the purpose of a pool filter?” Charlie Davis - “Everything you always wanted to know about pool care.” Pool Patio and Beyond - “Pool Filter Guide Information”
Answer #3	17) Chemicals and filters don’t always keep the inner lining of the pool clean. 18) Brushing and vacuuming the inner lining of a pool is the third method used to maintain a commercial pool.	17) Sometimes a physical form of cleaning is required. 18) A good scrubbing of the walls and floor is a good way to move dirt and algae missed by the first two methods into the filters to be removed.	17) David Dreivis - Mentor 18) Joe Dumont and David Dreivis - Mentors
Best Answer	The best way to maintain a commercial pool for public use is to chemically balance the water.	If answer 1, answer 2, and answer 3 are all ways to maintain a commercial pool for public use, then the best way is by keeping the water chemically balanced.

Blog 18: 2-Hour Meeting Answer #3

1.) What is your Essential Question?

What is the best way to maintain a commercial pool for public use.

2.)What is your third answer to your essential question?

The best way to maintain a commercial pool for public use is to maintain the pool itself thorugh the scrubbing of the walls and vacuuming the floor.

3.) What are thee details that support or justify your third answer?

Pools filters cannot get the dirt from the entire pool floor.
Chemicals don't always stop  the walls from growing algae.
Brushing the walls is the only way to remove the algae.

4.) What source helped you prove this answer is justified for your essential question?

5.) What do you plan to study next and why?

I plan to study chemistry and further refine my answers.

Blog 10: Senior Project Update

1.) What are you currently doing in your independent component?

Right now I am taking a class to become certified for confined spaces.

2.) What is a recent piece of research (article, interview, or audio-visual) that have you reviewed you would say was significant in helping you understand where to go next in your senior project?


3.) Provide evidence from your independent component or the piece of research as something you recently did.

This is a picture from the portion that taught you about the different kinds of confined spaces.

Blog 15: Independent Component 2 Plan Approval

I will be taking an open course on MIT's website. This is the link to the course:
http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/chemistry/5-12-organic-chemistry-i-spring-2005/