Term 1

I apologise for not being able to take many pictures so I feel that the only piece of work that can represent what I have been doing for the first term is my class test. My score was 35/45, an A1! :D

My first Science Test. Score=A1 (yeah!)

Obesity

Obesity

Before I even discuss the problem on who is responsible for obesity, let me first ask you. What is obesity?

Obesity means having too much body fat which may be a threat to your health. You can use a ‘Body Index Mass’, which is a combination of your weight and mass, to see if you are obese. If your BMI is 30 or above, it means that you should start exercising to be more fit.

So, who is responsible for obesity?

Exercising

Well, the answer is you. Fast food is one of the causes for obesity. Do you remember the many advertisements of hamburgers looking very delicious, french fries being sprinkled with salt, and the advertisement ending off with a free soft toy for every meal bought?  Have you ever noticed the fact that many children would beg their parents to have fast food as a meal just for the sake of getting a toy? These attractive promotions are main contributions to a person’s obesity. They make you crave for even saltier food which causes us not to want to eat our broccolis and these make you become fatter. When you are fat, you will become even lazier and will not want to exercise. In the end, the extra calories that you have accumulated will not be able to be burn off and the calories will be stored as body fats.

An awesome burger we have here

Have you ever wondered where fast food is ever called fast food? It is because the food is prepared very quickly. That is also another reason why people purchase fast food and this leads to obesity. People usually do not have sufficient time to sit down and queue up just to have a proper meal hence they resort to eating fast food. Do you know how they can make burgers and fries so quickly to serve it to you? It may be because the burgers have been frozen and heated up just before it is given to you. Fries are made in large factories, frozen and processed and this kills all the vitamins in the food.

Feeling hungry?

Can you imagine if we lived in a world where only fast food existed? All of us would probably become obese in a week due to the big amount of fat, salt and sugar we consume each time we eat fast food! Many people have commented that the citizens in USA are the fattest in the world. Why is that so? The Americans eat fast food far too often, they are practically obsessed with it! My father went to the United States before and he tried ordering some fast food one day. The first thing he told me was, “The serving of one fast food meal is twice as big as the ones in Singapore! One or two meals there can probably feed our family till they feel very full!” Well, his reaction made me think. As the demand of fast food by the Americans can higher, the serving of each meal will definitely become greater. This explains why the rate of obesity in USA is increasing gradually.

Ask yourself these questions. Is it worth risking your health just for delicious food? Yes I know that fast food is not only convenient but it is also filling. However, is it worth risking your health just for the fact that fast food is filling and convenient? Is it worth being obese just for a toy where you can get it bought anywhere? And lastly, are you willing to spend more money for your health problems in future just because you were lazy and wanted to buy food that is cheaper? Whoever who is reading this, if your answer is no, then continue having your fast food and end up suffering in the future. If your answer is yes, then I hope that you will start changing your habits and have a more balanced diet.

Start exercising early! ( or else you may end up like her)

Although fast food contributes to obesity, it isn’t the only cause of obesity. There are other causes like not exercising regularly, eating food with too much fats in them and so on.

All in all, the main and sole person who is responsible for obesity is YOURSELF because you are the one that has the decision to choose what kind of food you want to consume. 

Ironic...

Lab Lessons in Term 1

Lab lessons in Hwa Chong were definitely very enjoyable. Let me share with you some of my experiences...

1. Getting to know the Science Laboratory, Hot Stuff with Flames

During my first lab lesson, I was no doubt very excited because this was my first time entering a lab after so long. We were being taught some safety precautions that were necessary to take in the lab. Besides that, we were taught the different lab hazards and the symbols that represent them. The most basic safety precaution is wearing the safety goggles. We were introduced to the 2 different types of flames from the Bunsen burner – the luminous and non-luminous flame. After that, we even had an experiment of moving an ice cream stick over both the luminous and non-luminous flame and observe. However, some of my classmates were a bit cheeky and put the ice cream stick over the flame for too long, causing it to catch fire. For my case, my partner and I managed to do the experiment properly but still, we put the stick under the flame for too long and this caused the stick to burn and break. I liked moving the ice cream stick over the flame the most but I disliked closing and opening the air hole because I have a phobia that there will be a strikeback but after a while I got used to it. I have learnt from this activity that we should always be careful and not be negligent when handling things that have to do with fire.

Non-luminous flame

2. Observing and Recording Part 1

During my second lab lesson, we had to mix different substances and watch for a chemical reaction. I know what most of you are thinking now but relax, it did not explode in my face like it usually happens in a movie. We mixed sodium bicarbonate with vinegar and at first, I was also a bit afraid that it would explode but in the end, the mixture just started rising and I was relieved to see that. We also had to write down our observation by using words like ‘effervescence’, ‘precipitation’ and more. They sound very complicated but they were actually words to substitute ‘bubbles started to rise to the top’ and so on which are taught in primary school. Then, there was another experiment where we had to put a drop of alcohol on our skin and blow it. It was a really cooling sensation and I was a bit naughty and went to put another drop of alcohol. :D I liked mixing the chemicals the most because I was very anxious and excited to know what kind of results there will be. However, the most frustrating part was that I had trouble figuring out which chemical was which and this made me use the wrong chemical. In the end, I had to redo the experiment although the results produced were the same. From this activity, I had learnt some new terms to describe my observation.

Chemical reaction

3. Observing and Recording Part 2

During my third lab lesson, we were being tasked to boil a beaker of water over a non-luminous flame and observe the rise in temperature. My partner and I had to be very careful because after a while, the surrounding became hotter and the apparatus all became hotter as well, hence, after the experiment, I had to wait for the apparatus to cool down before washing it. The most interesting part of this experiment was when the water’s temperature had reached 100 degrees Celsius and I expected the temperature to remain constant. However, the temperature did not remain constant but it rose! Therefore, I thought for a while on some reasons that it could have rose above 100 degrees Celsius and I realise that the water I was using was tap water (contains lots of impurities). Since there were impurities, this meant that the temperature could go above 100 degrees Celsius. I liked preparing the set up for the experiment the most and I have also learnt to be more careful when doing experiments.

A bit similar to my experiment

4. Pendulum Predictions

For my fourth lab lesson, I had to measure the period of a pendulum at different heights. It was a pretty easy experiment as all we had to do was change the length of the string at times and count the number of oscillations the pendulum bob made. There were some of my classmates that fooled around by raising the angle of the pendulum bob to 90 degrees, this caused the pendulum bob to start flying everywhere! I liked counting the number of oscillations with my partner the most but I disliked having to measure the length of the string that was holding on to the bob because it always came loose after a while. I had learnt from this activity to be more alert and be focused because if I had turned my head away for one second, the pendulum bob may have swung an extra time and this will cause the results not to be as accurate.

Motion of a pendulum

5. Measurement of Length

This was my final lab lesson for Term 1. We were being introduced to different measuring apparatus like the metre rule, vernier calipers and the micrometer screw gauge. We needed to measure the length of the chair (by using a metre rule), the diameter of a marble (by using a vernier caliper) and the thickness of the wire (by using a micrometer screw gauge). The micrometer screw gauge is used to measure the thickness because the thickness of a wire is very small and the micrometer screw gauge can measure small lengths the most accurately (an accurate up to 0.01mm). I liked the part where we were allowed to use the micrometer screw gauge and vernier calipers the most because I have never used one before. I have learnt how to use each apparatus better and I have realised that different apparatus have different degrees of accuracy.

Micrometer screw gauge

All in all, I have benefited and learnt quite a lot from each of the lab lessons and i am looking forward to the lessons in Term 2!

Term 1

Term 1

Personal Performance

I have scored 35/45 for my Science test. I feel that this is an average mark as it is just a borderline A1. I made some very careless mistakes which caused me to lose some marks.  In the process, I have learnt to underline some key words while reading a text or some information. This may help me to answer the questions more easily later on. I should also have studied some of the basic concepts more thoroughly and not only concentrate on the things that are harder.

I plan to maintain my A1 for Term 2 as well, but get a higher mark instead so that my A1 would not be too ‘risky’. I will do this by revising my work consistently and not revising at the last minute because I usually would not have enough time to do so. I feel that I can also make a mindmap on a specific topic so that it would help in my revision for the test. This is a skill that I have been learning during QMCT lessons. A mindmap starts with a main topic  which is then branched out so that there will be different categories of information in greater detail. Mindmapping will allow me to be able to understand concepts easier and it will also make it easier for me to link different parts of information together.

Mindmap about 'Time'

Growth Development

I had a bit of a problem understanding the uses of some parts of a Bunsen burner. Hence, I searched the internet to find the solution to some of my questions.  I also confirmed with my friend if this information is true. This had definitely enhanced my understanding of the Bunsen burner. The Internet website is usually the best resource to understanding and solving my queries but I must be careful as well because not all information on the Internet is reliable.

Overall, I feel that my personal performance and growth development in Science is satisfactory. 

Different section of flame

Different parts of bunsen burner

                                                 

Term 1

There were 2 problems I faced this term when learning science: Remembering the drawings and purposes of some scientific apparatus and the different parts of a Bunsen burner. Remembering the drawings of some scientific apparatus proved to be a really hard thing to do. I had to keep on thinking of how the diagram looked like in my brain so as to allow me to memorise it.  Other than that, the purposes were not that hard to remember. I memorised the purpose of each apparatus by looking at the physical appearance of the apparatus. This gave me a rough idea of what it should be used for. For the Bunsen burner, I could not understand what some of the parts were used for. For example, when I was first introduced to the Bunsen burner, I kept on forgetting what the collar was for. Therefore, I checked up on the internet and finally managed to find the answer to my questions. This also helped to deepen my understanding on the Bunsen burner as there were some pictures from the website to guide me through.

Below are examples of the scientific concepts I have learnt:

1) Scientific Method. This term I have learnt about the scientific method. The scientific method is used to answer true-false questions. There are 6 steps in this method. To summarise it quickly, it is just 'Observation', 'Question', 'Hypothesis', 'Method', 'Result', 'Conclusion'. After having a conclusion, we can always repeat the experiment so as to see if the results are reliable. At first, I had no idea what the scientific method was but now, I know that the Scientific Method is important as these are the basic steps when doing an experiment. It will aid me through when I am planning an experiment.

2) Measurements. This term, I was being exposed to many different instruments used for measuring, for example, the metre rule, micrometer screw gauge, test tubes etc. However, what caught my attention the most was the vernier calipers. Before Mr Tan had shown me that apparatus, I had never even heard it, let alone seen it before. The vernier calipers can be used for measuring the external and internal diameter of an object and also the depth of the object if necessary. After the many diagrams and some demonstrations by Mr Tan, I finally understand how accurate this apparatus is. I have also learnt how to use it and how I should read the reading when it is measuring the internal and external diameter of an object. Finally, I could also understand what the zero error is and how I can read the reading off despite a zero error.

Vernier Caliper

3) Lab hazards. This topic was basically quite easy. There were 6 lab hazards I learnt so far. They are radioactive substances, biohazards, toxic substances, corrosive substances, flammable substances and irritants. I have also learnt the symbols that represent each hazard and some safety precautions for each of them. For example, when handling corrosive substances, we should wear gloves and handle it in a fume cupboard.

Well, should we learn science just for the sake of doing well in our exams? Definitely not, science can also be useful and relevant in the world around us. Here are some examples:

Measurement: When measuring things, I have already thought that the ruler is the most useful. However, after looking at other apparatus, I realised that there are actually many other apparatus that are more accurate than that. For example, the micrometer screw gauge can measure up to 0.001cm. This is one of the most accurate apparatus that I know of. This also teaches me to measure things accurately in life and not to give too many estimations because a small difference could cause different results.

Volume: When you order a cup of coke filled with lots of ice, you may think that this is fair but it actually is not. There was once when my brother ordered a big cup of coke and he finished it in less than 3 minutes. I was puzzled and asked him how he could finish drinking it so fast, then he replied me saying he had no idea. Therefore, I looked at the cup again and I realised that there were still many particles of ice in it. I finally understood. Ice occupies space so by putting lots of ice in the cup, not only will there be a lot less coke in the cup, the drink will still look very appealing. This shows that science is also applicable in life, even in simple things like buying a drink.

Coke filled with ice

Lab hazards: By knowing the different lab hazards can some safety precautions against it, we can help to advise our family members on what to do right. For example, when there is some gasoline near my brother and he is doing an experiment with the need to use fire, I can advise him not to do it near the gasoline as it is a flammable substance. If the gasoline catches fire, it might be dangerous for him as well.

1)    Solar system. I was first introduced to the solar system in Integrated Humanities where my IH teacher had given me some videos related to the solar system to watch. I was fascinated by the different colours and planets in space. Hence, I decided to do more research on the solar system for example how big each planet was and if any living things could be existent on it. When I was young, I remembered watching cartoon shows on Pluto exploding or disappearing in space that is why it is not a planet. Well, now I know it is not true. Pluto is not a planet because it is too small and light and it did not fulfil the last criteria, which is "clearing the neighbourhood" out of its orbit.

Solar system

2)    Atomic Clock. This is the most accurate clock in history. It was invented by English physicist Louis Essen in the 1950’s. Atomic clocks maintain an accuracy up to 10⁻⁹  seconds per day. The atomic clocks works based on atomics physics and the microwave signal that electrons in atoms emit.

Atomic Clock

3)    Pycnometer. I was interested in the variety of apparatus, hence, I went to check up on other kind of apparatus. The Pycnometer is also called ‘specific gravity bottle’. This is an apparatus used to determine the density of an object. It is usually made of glass, with a glass stopper attached to it. Although I do not know how it actually works, I will still continue to find out more about it.

Empty Pycnometer