varsha

Day 3 Reflections - 11 Nov

Posted by Anonymous at 10:36 pm

Connect your learning
The chemistry lesson was the most exciting lesson today. We were supposed to determine the concentration (parts per million, ppm) of an unknown solution using an UV Vis spectrophotometer. This instrument measures which wavelength is absorbed and what is the absorbance of a solution. We used a 4g of a drink, vita-500, diluted with 1 litre of distilled water. By Measuring the absorbance of a 5, 10, 20 ppm of vitamin C, we can plot a graph of absorbance of solution against the concentration. Using the absorbance of the unknown solution as the y-value, we are able to find the concentration as the x-value. The teacher was very kind and pointed out our errors, and also suggested some improvements. However our group's experiment did not proceed successfully as I think we might have lost accuracy when handling the solutions. But still I was able to apply practical skills that I learnt in SST and also the concept behind the absorbance of the solutions. I was able to connect back to my learning in SST and realised that learning is the same worldwide. 

Extend your existing learning 
I was able to attend the physics lesson today. The Busan students were going through circular motion and centripetal force as a revision for the final examinations. At first I got pretty bored as the teacher was talking in the Korean language and all the slides were in Korean too. But I realised that I have learnt this back in SST for the physics olympiad. I started paying more attention to the lesson and my buddy explained the background information about it. The most helpful part was that the formulas and diagrams were in english, which helped me to understand easier. My buddy also explained some scientific concepts behind it. This learning extends beyond my usual school learning, and would be extremely useful in the future. I hope that I am able to go through these type of experiences where I am able to learn more information outside of syllabus.

What challenged you
During the sound equalizer lesson in Busan Science High School, we were tasked to build a sound equalizer using a arduino uno board, some wires, a audio sensor and 3 LED stripes. As the instructions were in Korean, it was very hard to follow just using the picture. I was kind of confused as the teacher only explained in Korean. Also my buddy had little experience in this particular topic. This challenged me as I am not experienced in this, especially the coding part. This was out of my comfort zone and challenged me as my buddy and me tried to figure out the coding part. However we were unable to complete it due to time restraint. But still I was able to learn more about how amplitude and frequency of a sound affects its volume. I would like to try out more of these things and pick up new skills. New things are able to push me to my limits and open up my mind more.

varsha

Daily Reflections - 9 Nov

Posted by Anonymous at 8:21 pm

3 words to describe today's experience

1. Captivating
2. Discovery
3. Change

3 Highlights of the day
1. Arriving at busan after a long and tiring flight, getting adjusted to the climate here, and admiring the streets and scenery of Busan and the bridges, even though we only passed through it. 
2. Getting to taste Korean food
3.  The visit to the POSCO factory was especially enriching, as I was able to see concepts learnt in chemistry (blast furnace and extraction of metals) being applied in real life. Even though we did not alight the bus and walk around, I was able to understand the different parts of the factory with the help of our guide and the guide at the museum

3 Things you have learnt about Korea
1. South Korea, especially Busan is a well developed city, with the world's largest port and shipping and trade industry, providing development to the country's econmy
2. Korea's largest steel manufacturer, Pohang Iron and Steel Corporation (POSCO) has contributed to the country's economic by increasing it by 5000 times since the 1960s
3. POSCO has patented the method Finex Technology. This next-generation eco-friendly iron making process allow the direct use of cheap iron ore fines and non-coking coal as feedstock.

3 things you have learnt about yourself 
1. I need to organise my thoughts properly in order to take notes
2. I need to pack my things so that I would not get cold easily
3. I liked Korean food even though I thought I would not like them at first

3 things you did not do so well
1. I was not able to understand some of the English spoken by the 
2. I was not able to take concise and clear notes, as I was not able to organise them accordingly
3. I get distracted easily by other things which causes me to stop paying at

3 things you look forward to tomorrow
1. I look forward to visiting Busan Science High School as I have heard a lot about it and I would like to experience the school and its lessons in real. I would also like to discover more about the school's facilities such as the telescope.
2. I would like to meet my buddy. I hope to learn more about the school, its approach to lessons, and other extracurricular activities that they conduct it their school, directly from her. I would also like to find out about her life in Busan, he thoughts about Busan and South Korea, and lastly what would her expectations about Singapore are. 
3. I look forward to the lessons that we would be experiencing in Busan Science High, as I would like to know how lessons are conducted, and type of lessons they are (visual, hands-on, audio)

varsha

Pre-trip Reflection - Varsha

Posted by Anonymous at 11:31 am

1. I feel excited and I look forward to this trip as it would be my first time going overseas to a well developed country outside of Singapore. From this trip I hope to bring back meaningful memories that I would remember for my life

2. Immersing and experiencing a new culture, their traditional practices and food - How science and technologically advancements in Busan be applied to our daily life in Singapore - What are the various aspects of science and technology there?
 
3. - How did Busan/South Korea become so economically developed? - How do people in Busan apply science and technology to their daily lives? - About the korean culture
 
4. - How do they go about their lives in South Korea? - What kind of learning approach do they use in schools? - How are they able to integrate technology effectively in their school and daily lives?
 
5. - Am I able to adapt to an unfamiliar situation and work together with peers? - Do I have an open mind and willing to accept things? - Am I able to reflect and apply information that I learnt while being there?
 
6. - Take note of as much information as possible by taking notes and pictures - Ask questions whenever I have a doubt - Ignore the language barrier and try to interact and learn more from my Buddy

7. As south korea is a well developed country and Busan being a port city relying on its shipping and trade markets, I expect it to be very similar to Singapore's economy or even better. I also expect the use of technology incorporated in the places we visit, such as the POSCO steel factory. As majority are koreans here, I believe that this would be a country which is very accustomed to its cultural practices and traditions.

Popular Posts