My Process JournalMYP Personal Project 2014-2015

Room Oxygen Booster

Helena Faustine

Sekolah Ciputra

Content Journal Section 1

Activities and progress

Journal Section 2

Interactions with supervisor Interaction with interviewee

Journal Section 3Managing sources:

Websites Pictures Interviews

Journal Section 4Designs and sketches

Journal Section 5 Reflection on stages of project:

- Goals- Planning of project- Finding, selecting and application of sources- Exploration of global context- Making of product- Quality of product

Journal Section 1 – Activities and progress

11th October 2014

Personal project officially starts today; the teachers had presented personal project requirements during CCA time and have left us to decide which global context we would like to base our project on and think about what we want to do. I was completely blank about what I wanted to do, but I knew that it has to be something from the “scientific and technical innovation” global context. I had a view things in mind, however am doubtful about whether or not it is attainable or if it is too simple. The first idea I came up with is a wave generator. This tool would generate electricity by using kinetic energy produced by waves (sea waves). Although this generator already exists, I planned to introduce that to Indonesia whose surrounding areas are all sea. However I was doubtful that I would be able to construct something that complicated.

27th October 2014

Today we had to pitch ideas for our personal project and presented them during CCA time. I was utterly confused so I went with the only idea I had. The comments were predominantly good, however some was doubtful as it applies intense scientific and technical knowledge. That day I had pondered over what I wanted to do again and came up with one new idea. The first one would be a bicycle that can suck trash from the streets whether it be dry leaves etc. this would help cleaners do their job has they do not have to sweep neighbourhoods and instead can simply ride a bike around the neighbourhood to pick up trash. However I wasn’t completely psyched with that idea because it is one that wouldn’t solve any of my problems.

29th October 2014

Today after stressful thinking nights I finally found a final idea that I was happy with. It concerns the school community thus would affect and help me. This was based a problem that I myself experience. I wanted to somehow help kids who stay up late concentrate in class during the day. When I consulted to my parents about the idea, my father gave me insight on how oxygen may help students feel refreshed in class. And thus I came up with the idea of a room oxygen booster.

25th November 2014

Today I had my first meeting with my supervisor regarding my personal project. Present there was another student my supervisor is supervising, apparently his project revolves around technical innovations as well. My supervisor and me discussed my project. And from that consultation I was able to fabricate a goal. I also had things I had to research for my next meeting.

27th December 2014

After taking a short break from my personal project due to semester exams and other summative assessments, I finally had the change to research and investigate my project. Today I researched the properties of water and about dissolved oxygen that is contained inside water. I found out that there is more dissolved oxygen in moving and cold water. Whilst there is less dissolved oxygen in stagnant and hot water, thus explaining why there are summertime fish kills during drier seasons.

14th January 2015

I had another meeting with my supervisor to tell him where I am up to with my research. I told him of my findings regarding dissolved oxygen in water and also told him of an idea I have come up with. I plan to split water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen ions. My supervisor found an online shop that sells a water to hydrogen and oxygen converter and he advised me to meet the creator. Apparently his tool works by electrolysis, a chemical process that I am aware of.

18th January 2015

After the meeting with my supervisor, I directly contacted my potential primary resource. And thus made an appointment the following weekend. My primary resource was very keen on sharing his scientific discoveries, and as I had already told him about my aim, I was happy to find that he had already researched the regarding oxygen levels himself. He not only explained how his water to oxygen converter work but also gave alternative ideas. My primary resource was also willing to help guide me make the water to oxygen converter myself.

19th January 2015

After the interview with my primary resource, I pondered over the alternatives that he had given me the previous day and decided to use my original idea which was to use water to produce oxygen ions. I chose this simply because water is visible to the human eye and thus I would be able to see chemical reactions that commence. This would make it easier for me to test than per say using the air to generate oxygen. I also decided to add another element to the oxygen booster, which was the water fountain. The water according to Mr. Gunawan would help purify the gas and sweep away catalyst that might ooze out of the tubes as well.

25th January 2015

My father and I decided to shop for the materials that we would need to make the oxygen booster and the water fountain. In ‘Ace Hardware’ we bought a submersible pump (or an aquarium pump) that we would need to pump the water from the tub of the fountain back up again. My father helped me order acrylic from his friend. As we stock up on tubes, elbows and hoses at home, we do not need to purchase them at Ace Hardware.

7th February 2015

I went to meet Mr. Gunawan again. There we worked on the oxygen booster. It took us very long to finally finish it. Mr. Gunawan gave me guidance throughout the whole process, thus I know very well how the tool works.

21st February 2015

I went to meet Mr. Gunawan once again. There he taught me how to assemble a power supply that consists of a capacitor and I diode. Originally I wanted to purchase a power supply from Ace Hardware. However knowing that my primary resource can assemble it he, I became curious and decide to ask him how it would work.

24th February 2015

I met with my supervisor for the third time and told him where I was up to with my project. I also queried him on the mini personal project that was to commence the day after (Wednesday during CCA time). As we were told to make a poster regarding our product, I asked him about that as well, knowing that I would have to make a display for the personal project D-day as well.

Journal Section 2

Interaction with Supervisor

Supervisor: Mr. Kundjono – Math Teacher

Meeting 1 Tuesday, 25th November 2014

Discussion:On my first meet, we mostly discussed about the project. Seeing as the supervisor knew me quite well, we had already seen eye to eye about the project. I first introduced my project to him, telling of the problem I aimed to solve, and the idea I have in which would be the solution to that problem. As my supervisor was the year 10 Year Level Manager, he was very well aware about the awful lot of homework, gave his full support almost instantly.On the first meeting, I knew very little about what form this oxygen booster was going to be. When I first pitched my idea, a lot of people suggested the use of plants in which it would be most efficient in boosting oxygen. However, I thought this solution was irrational as plants would not get sunlight indoors and thus little photosynthesis would occur. I was also not going for interior design and biology when I thought of the project in the first place. My ideas were to use water instead. I had the idea of splitting the water into HydrogenAnd Oxygen, thus still getting the oxygen. Another student my supervisor was supervising was also there in the meeting thus he also voiced a few ideas about my personal project. After that the discussion moved to how in which oxygen can be split for water, knowing the basic idea we finally knew where to start. He suggested that I research on how water can be split and how the amount of oxygen contained in the water (DO – dissolved oxygen) can be increased.

Action Do further research on what water and dissolved oxygen Gather alternatives on how to split water into hydrogen and oxygen

ions

Meeting 2 Wednesday, 14th January 2015

DiscussionAfter Christmas holidays, I presented newly found ideas. Although I kept my supervisor updated with new findings in short meetings, it was the ideas I found during the holiday that struck me as something truly useful. I found out that the amount of dissolved oxygen present in water alters according to the surrounding temperature. The amount of dissolved oxygen decreases in the summer due to high temperatures, this is proven by the aquatic life that appears to struggle more during the summer. During the summertime, the temperature of the surface water is too hot whilst the deeper waters have

limited oxygen in them, hence causing summertime fish kills. The relationship between dissolved oxygen and temperatures are inversely proportional.

I also found out that moving water contains more dissolved oxygen than still water. This is because moving water interacts and thus incorporates more of the air into the water. This is why extremely turbulent waters may contain excessive oxygen thus disrupting aquatic life. This became important information to hold on to, as it suggests the

alternative of not having to split water molecules instead simply using temperature and movement to optimize oxygen levels.Afterwards, my supervisor and I discussed about those information, he also gave suggestions on how in which those information can be incorporated into a working product. His idea was an air conditioner that uses miniscule sized pipes (capillaries) circulating them to create water movement. As it is an Air conditioner thus designed to alter temperature and humidity of a room, the water would supposedly be cold.After that my supervisor and me tried to find primary or secondary resources that might give us a lead to splitting water molecules. In the internet, we stumbled upon an online shop (OLX) that provided service for installing water to hydrogen and oxygen tool to maximize energy use in cars. As hydrogen and oxygen are accelerators, they will help in creating explosions in the pistons, in automobiles.We left the meet both having tasks at hand. I was to research more on the water splitting to provide an alternative concept, whilst my supervisor would research information regarding his own idea.

Action Gather information on water electrolysis Interview primary resource in the weekend

Meeting 3 Tuesday 24th February 2015

DiscussionThe third meeting was a short one. This one was held before the mini personal project, I had to make sure that I completed all the requirements for the mini personal project display as well as the questionnaire. My supervisor simply gave me a list of what I had to have on my display and the questionnaire that would contain my product specification. We also re-

discussed where I am up to with my project product and my report.

Action Finish personal project report and journal Finish posters and display for mini personal project and personal

project D-day

Interaction with interviewee

Interviewee: Mr. Gunawan – provides service for installing an alternative energy source for automobile (water to oxygen and hydrogen)

This interview was conducted in Bahasa Indonesia. This is a translated dialogue of the interview:

H: In university, what field of education did you major in?

B: I graduated from Universitas Gadjah Mada Yogyakarta, However the major I took had nothing to do with science. On the contrary, I majored in Humanity based subject. Despite the fact that I majored in a non-scientific field of education, tinkering has always been a hobby since my adolescent years.

H: How long did you stay in Jogja?

B: I only stayed there through the course of university which was four years. Back then, I was a lazy student and thus was not accepted in science-related majors. However, outside school I often tinker with technical-related things. And now I dedicate my career in this particular field.

H: So it actually started as a hobby?

B: Yes.

H: So, how old are you now?

B: I am now 28 years old, but I already have a family of my own.

H: How does Aizhimo work?

B: Aizhimo, processes water through a certain method known as water electrolysis. So a current flows through the water…

H: Is a catalyst used in the process?

B: Yes, very little amount of catalyst is used. In this case, the Hydrogen and Oxygen is split and those gasses are inflammable thus helping explosions that occur within the car’s machinery.

H: So, at first the water will be placed here and through the course of time, it will decrease?

B: Yes, eventually the water will run out.

H: How long will it take for the water to run out?

B: One liter of water can last up to six hours.

H: The water will eventually run out because the molecules are split into Hydrogen and Oxygen ions?

B: Yes, it will run out because it becomes oxygen and hydrogen gasses

H: So, the water tank has to be refilled every five to six hours?

B: Yes. Either that or a bigger tank can be installed.

H: Is this the water container?

B: Yes, the water container can hold approximately 1-liter water. If the car is often used to cover long distances, to minimize the frequency of refilling the water container, an extra container can be added.

H: What about that model?

B: that works by the same principles, it is simply a newer model. I am always updating and improving the efficiency of this tool.

H: I am currently working on a school project. I’d like to boost oxygen levels in a classroom.

B: In correlation to the classroom situation. There are a few ways to boost oxygen levels. First, water can be made into steam. Secondly, in regards to the limited amount of negative ions present in urban areas like: the streets or in an air-conditioned room. So in urban areas there are plenty of positive ions but not negative ions. On the other hand, negative ions are the charge that energizes the human body. In air-conditioned room, after two to three hours of work, our eyes start to flutter out of sleepiness. We also start to feel tired. This is because of the significantly larger amount of positive ions to negative ions.

H: If I’m not mistaken, they are also known as free radicals.

B: Yes they are also known as free radicals. In mountainous areas, at the shoreline, near waterfalls or other places that has not been greatly altered by humans (no pollution), there is an abundance of negative ions. Which is why, when going to those areas, we feel much more energized. This has been studied

H: Is there a tool that can be used to measure the amount of positive or negative ions in the air?

B: We’re talking about measurement tools yes?

H: Yes, I mean how do we indicate whether a room has positive ions or negative ions?

B: Perhaps there is a tool that can be used to measure, however I am not yet aware of that tool. However, there already is a tool to produce negative ions.

H: Yes, if I’m not mistaken, this tool is often attached to new air conditioners designs.

B: Yes, the ones attached to air conditioners are known as ion plasma cluster. Newer designs of air conditioners have ion plasma cluster incorporated in its

machinery, however older air conditioner designs don’t. Although, you can still purchase the ion plasma cluster itself without the air conditioner. They are available in electronic stores like “Hartono”.

H: Does it go by a different name when sold separately?

B: No, it is still known as ion plasma cluster. They are produced by brands like: Sanyo and Sony. The size of it is small.

H: If I’m not mistaken, they can be attached to car air conditioners? How does ion plasma cluster work?

B: The principles are similar to that of water to oxygen and hydrogen converter. However instead of water that has electric current flowing through, it is the air that is flown through by electric current. The only difference is the medium. So the air is flown by high voltage electricity, approximately 20.000++. After that, air becomes Ozone (O3), which is later filtered to diatomic oxygen (O2)

H: In water electrolysis, after the components are split into Hydrogen and Oxygen, will it oxygen negative ions?

B: No, I am not sure about how negative ions are produced in nature. However, the oxygen will not carry a negative charge along with them. The diatomic hydrogen atoms are the element that is negatively charged.

H: To test this out, I meant to provide two aquariums: one with oxygen and the other not. Is this possible?

B: Yes it is possible, I have actually tried that before.

H: So if those fishes

B: I’ve tried that before. The fishes started to nibble on the oxygen bubbles.

H: Thus, we can conclude that those oxygen bubbles are refreshing.

B: I used Goldfish and Koi fish. It was only after one day without the extra oxygen boost, the fishes started to die.

H: That is the same principle as drinking water that has dissolved oxygen in them. They are consumed to add energy. However in this case I was thinking of letting the oxygen flow and mix with other elements in the air.

B: However, in the classroom context, I advice making a nebulizer instead. This would change the form of water (liquid) into steam (gas)

H: Is this a nebulizer?

B: Yes it is.

H: So to boost oxygen levels in a room there are three alternative ways which are: electrolysis, nebulizer, or by using ion plasma cluster?

B: Yes that’s true.

H: Thank you for your time.

B: You’re welcome.

Journal Section 3 – Managing Sources

Secondary Resources:

BBC News. 2015. The Psychology of Super Casinos. (25th May 2006) Available at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/5013038.stm (27th November 2014)

Unknown author. Unknown Year. Rainy Café. (Unknown date of update) Available at: http://rainycafe.com/ (23rd December 2014)

Wibowo, Benyali. 2008. Membuat Sendiri Alat Penghemat BBM Dengan Metode Elektrolisis (Electrolyzer). (30th June 2008) Available at: https://benyaliwibowo.wordpress.com/2008/06/30/membuat-sendiri-alat-penghemat-bbm-dengan-methode-elektrolisis-electrolyzer-berikut-diagram-sederhana-electrolyzer/ (12th January 2015)

Kurniawan, Bagus. 2008. Djoko Sutrisno Manfaatkan Air, Motor Jadi Irit. (25th October 2008) Available at: http://energyair.blogspot.com/ (12th January 2015)

BBC. 2014. Catalysts. (Unknown date of update) Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_edexcel/chemical_reactions/ratesrev4.shtml (13th January 2015)

The Department of Chemistry at the University of Illinois. 2009. Electrolysis of Water Using an Electric Current. (unknown date of update) Available at: http://www.chem.uiuc.edu/clcwebsite/elec.html (13th January 2015)

Martel, Mike. Unknown year. How to Be Amazingly Good at Asking Questions. (Unknown date of update) Available at: http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/how-amazingly-good-asking-questions.html (12th February 2015)

The University of Chicago Press. 2012. Is Noise Always Bad? Exploring the Effects of Ambient Noise on Creative Cognition. (3rd February 2015) Available at: http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/10.1086/665048.pdf?acceptTC=true (16th February 2015)

Koren, Marina. Unknown Year. Why Do We Yawn? And Why is it Contagious? (28th June 2013) Available at: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/why-do-we-yawn-and-why-is-it-contagious-3749674/?no-ist (25th February 2015)

Shmuel, Amir., Yacoub, Essa., Pfeuffer, Josef., Adriany., Gregor., Hu, XiaoPing., Ugurbil, Kamil & Pierre-Francois Van de Moortele. Unknown Year. Sustained Negative BOLD, Blood Flow and Oxygen Consumption Response and Its Coupling to the Positive Response in the Human Brain. (Unknown date of update) Available at: http://ac.els-cdn.com/S0896627302010619/1-s2.0-S0896627302010619-main.pdf?_tid=1abfabe6-c100-11e4-8169-00000aab0f26&acdnat=1425316872_c83d42386c638c287713ff11c83d2373 (25th February 2015)

Pictures:

Bibliography: Wibowo, Benyali. 2008. Membuat Sendiri Alat Penghemat BBM Dengan Metode Elektrolisis (Electrolyzer). (30th June 2008) Available at:

Interview:

1. Mr. Gunawan, Sunday, 18th January 2015. Personal interview regarding electricity current and oxygen

Bibliography: Wibowo, Benyali. 2008. Membuat Sendiri Alat Penghemat BBM Dengan Metode Elektrolisis (Electrolyzer). (30th June 2008) Available at:

Bibliography: Wibowo, Benyali. 2008. Membuat Sendiri Alat Penghemat BBM Dengan Metode Elektrolisis (Electrolyzer). (30th June 2008) Available at: https://benyaliwibowo.wordpress.com/2008/06/30/membuat-sendiri-alat-penghemat-bbm-dengan-methode-elektrolisis-electrolyzer-berikut-diagram-sederhana-electrolyzer/ (12th January 2015)

Bibliography: U.S. Geological Survey. Unknown year. Water properties: Dissolved Oxygen. (unknown date of update) Available at: http://water.usgs.gov/edu/dissolvedoxygen.html (27th December 2014)

Journal Section 4 – Designs, sketches

Journal Section 5 – Reflection on Stages Project Goals

At the beginning of the personal project, I had set up a goal for myself. The goal aims to encompass all ideas I had and would be something that I’d often refer back to during the process. This was the goal I set up to guide my project:

“To aid student by improving the school’s learning environment thus, improving their academic performances, through utilization of scientific principles.”

I will be reviewing my goal based on whether or not they are: realistic, relevant and specific, as well as how much my goal aided me throughout the process. First of all, it is important that a goal is realistic. An unrealistic goal would simply discourage the person attempting to fulfil those goals. I simply based my goal upon the problem I’d like to solve, and since the exact method is not yet specified, it gave me room to change the form of the final product as ‘scientific principles’ scopes quite a big area of knowledge. From the start I thought this goal was attainable nevertheless difficult. However, with all the oxygen and carbon dioxide craze, someone was bound to have an idea of how to obtain oxygen. My task was simply to minimize the tool that would boost oxygen levels as well as modify it to suit the “school” aspect of the goal. It is evident that the goal is one quite hard to achieve, however it is not unattainable, instead it helped me up my game and motivated me to continue investigating and dwelling deeper and deeper into certain areas of scientific knowledge. At the end of the day, the most important thing is that I had fulfilled my goal thus proving that this goal was attainable. The fact that I went through full lengths and tried very hard to achieve it adds to its plus points.

I thought my goal was quite specific. My goal clearly specifies what I want to improve and who the target audience is. In this case I want to improve the school’s learning environment and the target audiences are the students. The choice of language in the goal also suggests specific ideas. The use of the word ‘aid’ for instance shows that the product is designed to ‘aid’ human activities. The goal is not ambiguous, however it enables me to explore various ideas as it scopes all scientific ideas. The goal was also specific as it refers to the chosen global context. It is evident from the goal that the decided global context is “scientific and technical innovation” thus suggesting another frame of idea that has to be implemented. These different specifications set up by the goal produces a small frame of possibilities thus are quite specific.

Last but not least, the goal is relevant to what I’d like to achieve and to the global context. The making of the goal itself was inspired was based upon the global context that is ‘scientific and technical innovation’. This is evidently shown through the use of phrases: ‘scientific principles’ as shown in the goal.

The goal has aided me throughout the whole process of personal project. It continues to help me at times of which I got stuck. It was also a useful reference to resources and information that I’d like to use. Seeing as the goal is relevant to my aim and the global context, I used the goal the keep me on track with my personal project and not to get overwhelmed by

irrelevant resources and idea that I found during the personal project process. Finally, the goal I fabricated helped me explore the problem, thus giving me a deeper understanding and a clearer picture of what I wanted to make in the end. Back then I was still unsure of the outcome of my personal project, and thus minimizing the alternatives was a very important part of the process.

Finding, Selecting and and application of sources My investigation required a range of specific reliable sources

throughout the whole project. It was very difficult for me to find resources, as I presumed no one had experimented in this before or at least had not decided to share it. Thus I had to find a series of resources and had to connect those points with each other to finally come up with a solid concept. The most helpful source was my primary resource. Although I only interviewed one person, it turned out to be very helpful as he was a science enthusiast and whence have acquired a lot of knowledge through reading and experience. I also asked for assistance from my father, who is familiar with the mechanics of cars, it aided me in confirming what my primary resources had told me. Secondary resources also acted as a medium and reference to what I had learned from my primary resources. Most of the things I found on the World Wide Web had to do with effects that the product would have to the society. The effect is as important as the product itself as it would it would indicate whether or not I had reached my goal.

When gathering my secondary resources, I mostly searched for psychological effects of ambient noises on creative thinking and concentration, as well as chemical equations and other information regarding the electrolysis processes. With this knowledge, I was able to assemble the product independently and was able to identify how I have achieved my goal and fulfilled specifications through further analysis. For my product, I found a detailed and reliable series of procedure that would help me assemble the water to oxygen converter. Thus I found out the use of catalysts. If it weren’t for secondary resources I wouldn’t have known that it was necessary to use a catalyst to speed up the reaction. From a recorded demonstration of electrolysis, I also found out how to test out the release of oxygen and hydrogen. Seeing as oxygen is fire accelerator, I can use a lighter. The flame produced by the lighter would grow indicating that the oxygen accelerated the growth of the flame.

To ensure that the resources are reliable, I made sure that the website is of an official organization or from university studies. All of the resources accumulated played an important role in my investigation.

Exploration of Global ContextThe Global Context that I found was most related with my chosen

project is ‘Scientific and Technical Innovation’. This project was chosen according to my keen interest in all facets of science. The curiosity that scientific discoveries triggers each time is what attracts me to it the most. This project for one has this ‘investigation’ aspect in it and thus my motivation to finish it. Throughout the project, I had found out a lot in relation to scientific

and technical innovation, particularly on scientific applications. I was even more satisfied; that I got to apply scientific principles that we had learned during science classes in Year 10, thus proving how significant the role of science is in our lives. My project is relevant to the chosen global context because it was based on the global context that I fabricated my aim: “To aid student by improving the school’s learning environment thus, improving their academic performances, through utilization of scientific principles.” I also connected technical innovations to the human’s train of thought. This project in particular, analyses just that, as the effect on the targeted group, is just as crucial as the product itself.

On top of that, a room oxygen booster revolves around scientific principles particularly that of chemistry as well as physics in relation to the use of submersible pump in the water fountain. The process in making the product involved a lot of analysing and creative thinking as I had to connect different resources together to come up with the final idea, and eventually the final product. Moreover, the project is an example of how humans make their surroundings adapt to their needs as well as showing understanding of scientific principles. To sum up, this project fulfils characteristics mentioned in the ‘scientific and technical innovation’ Global Context.

Making of Product The making of my product was a very if not the most stage of this investigation. Although I had finally came up with a solid concept and a clear picture of how I’d assemble my oxygen booster, this stage took the most time and commitment. The resources I had used proved to be extremely helpful in this stage, some even gave step-by-step instructions on how to assemble certain parts of the oxygen booster. In spite of all the preparations that I had done before making the product, I found many obstacles on my wake during the process of assembling the oxygen booster.

The first stage in my product assembling is to do a sketch of what I had in mind for the product. This helped me figure out which things are supposed to go where. Seeing as I am not that bad of a drawer, I came back with a clear image that can be understood by me as well as other individuals that I might need to aid me through the process. The plan was that the oxygen booster would like on the side of the indoor water fountain whilst oxygen oozes out of its valve towards the running water. This would ensure that the oxygen interacts with the running water thus increasing the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water as well. The oxygen that doesn’t end up jumbled in the water fountain would be released into the classroom air. Incorporating the water fountain ensures that not too much oxygen is present in the room that may lead to oxygen toxicity. The water also helps purify the ions and decrease the amount of free radicals or positive ions to the air along with the oxygen. The oxygen booster itself did not take very long to assemble, as it is fairly simple, and I had already found instructions on how to assemble it. However, I did have a hard time doing activities that involved laborious motoric skills and thus needed help drilling from my father.

Figuring out where to put the oxygen booster that I found confusing. I had a hard time deciding where the valves would go and how to attach the circuit to the water fountain. The circuit has to be handled with care, as electricity and water don’t go very well together. Once I determined the right

place to put it, the process went smoothly however slowly. The water fountain making took longer than the oxygen booster. I used acrylic as material because acrylic is quite light compared to if using cement etc. acrylic is also used in replacement of glass, acrylic materials are far less fragile and thus is much safer in a school community. The school community, which is the intended target group, will consist of students from youngsters to adults. A less fragile material would serve less risk than glass that is easily broken. Acrylic is also a more pliable material to work with compared to glass thus helped me throughout the process of making the water fountain.

Altogether, I am very satisfied with the process, although I believe that I could’ve started the product making earlier so that I wouldn’t have to rush things in the end, the product is as good as it can be. The oxygen booster and the water fountain, which is supposedly two separate things work very well together thus, proving the concept as successful.

Quality of ProductMy finished product is satisfactory. The quality of the product from the material aspect exceeds expectations. The materials used are very reasonable as the form of each follows its function. After conducting several tests aligned to my product specifications, I can conclude that the product is of reasonable quality and thus can be operated in school environment. After the mini personal project exhibition, I was also made aware of an excellent idea that I had unconsciously applied. I was made conscious when Mr. Brookes pointed out how ambient noises (in this case the sound of trickling water), may stimulate brain creativity in the student’s mind. This boosts the value of my product even more as it supports learning in all aspects.

In the beginning I was quite worried with the noises that the water wood make and thus decided that the tool is to be placed outside despite the decreased benefits if it’s located that way. However, after being made aware of good psychological impacts of ambient noises, I have decided that positioning the water fountain inside is a good idea and it also maximizes the benefits that are given by the product. Studies say that low level noises induces adequate amount of distraction enough to trigger abstract thinking among students. Knowing how creativity plays a large part in an International Baccalaureate curriculum, the triggering of higher construal levels will allow students to think more divergently. However, the sound produced is adequate and familiar enough to not cause extreme dis-fluency. The sound produced is also balanced by the increased oxygen production thus helping students stay enthusiastic and focused.

If I were to do this project again, one thing I would do is to improve my time management skills. Whether that is for the product, the process journal or for the report, I struggled finishing them at the last minute. There are also things that I am not quite satisfied about that I’d like to further investigate. If not given the strict circumstances of experimenting, I would like to know deeper about how this product would affect living things besides the fact that it creates a revitalizing atmosphere in the classroom. Obviously, if I were to solve my time management problems, I would be able to dwell deeper into this area of the investigation. Besides the investigation, there are a few changes that I would apply on the product. First of all, the format of the

oxygen booster should be completely revived. The current water to oxygen converter consists of separate parts: the first container the second container etc. If I were to make the product again, all of these elements should be assembled together to look as if they are an entity. Not only would this improve the overall physical appearance, a solid united piece would also be portable and can easily be moved or used for other functions besides room oxygen booster, thus expanding the efficiency and purposefulness of the piece. I would also increase the quantity of water that can be contained by the container to increase the longevity before the water in the container runs out.

If I was given more time to do this project, I would attempt to find a way to increase the longevity in which the product would work for before it needs to be refilled. The current time taken for the water to run out is 5 to 6 hours, which is proportionate to the amount of time spent at school, which is approximately 6 hours as well.

Overall, I am very satisfied with the final product. Moreover, I am very proud of the things I have accomplished and the knowledge that I have acquired. Succeeding in finishing this personal project brings pride to me, as I knew my project was one that received many doubtful comments from the teachers. Although there are still many implications in the finished product, the product exceeded my expectations.