Project Juni | DTE

Welcome to another post. For the past 7 weeks, in DTE, we have been working on our final project of the year. This project had to be incorporated with an idea.

I was in a group with Ranit and had an idea to make a VEX robot that can help during earthquakes and landslides. We made a fast rescue machine to handle the situation faster. We decided to use two existing Vex robots and make both into one -- the Armbot and the Linq. We called our project 'Project Juni'. 

Our inspiration for this project came up from a thought of a rescue vehicle that moves fast.

Armbot

Linq

Clawbot

   

As seen from the pictures above, these are the VEX robots that we used. We made a plan on what we are going to do with the VEX robots.

This was our plan:

We will build the Armbot fully, afterwards, we will start modifying from there, by transforming the arm into a scoop from the Linq which can be utilised to remove/move rocks and dirt, it will need movement so we will use the Clawbot’s base so it can traverse faster. Then, Armbot will be used to let the scoop sway in more directions which will allow the scoop to move in an up and down motion and side to side motion. 

However, our end outcome didn't go as we planned. Because we had only 6 weeks to complete our project (including planning and presenting), we couldn't add the Clawbot's base, meaning no tyres to move. But, we are happy with the work that we had done. 

Result: Juni

Reflection:

During the six weeks of our project, we encountered many problems during the making like not finding the right parts, or motors not functioning properly, and hearing numerous cracks and sounds that did not sound well.  During our project, we had to come up with our own designs of the project and had to modify it various times until the robot had functioned the way that we wanted it to.

My partner and I thought that we are proud of what we had done. Last week, due to lack of time, we couldn't add the wheels (part of the Clawbot) for the robot to move around. However, we are happy with what we had accomplished.

What we learnt during this project was how well we can work with VEX Robots and make our own project with them. We showed commitment by committing to our project and trying to find a way to fix the problem we encounter. We showed achievement by achieving our project which was creating a rescue vehicle robot. We showed resilience by never giving up on our work and always trying hard. Lastly, we showed respect, by respecting others and the environment around me -- by using the equipment which we were given with respect.

Also, we used teamwork, by doing the work in equal amounts and we didn't have to depend on another to finish it off.  

Year 10 Writing Portfolio | English

For English, we have been tasked to make our writing portfolio, which we need to include the three pieces of writing we did this year. 

In term 1, we were looking at creative writing and had to write an essay about anything we like. I wrote my version of the movie, The Day After Tomorrow. However, I hadn't finished my essay, I hadn't much ideas and there wasn't enough time. Also, the story was at its climax.

Here is my creative writing essay.

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Jack Hall, an American paleoclimatologist, with his colleagues Frank and Jason, is penetrating the ice-core samples in the Larsen Ice Shelf in Antarctica for the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). An ice shelf abruptly splinters from the rest of the continent, and Jack almost succumbs to death.

A few months later, UN Conference, New Delhi.

Jack admonishes world leaders. "From my research, finding that 10,000 years ago, global warming changed the Earth's climate to an ice age. If humans don't stop polluting the atmosphere, this might again happen in estimated 100 to 1,000 years from now."

"What nonsense!" Shrieks the U.S. Vice President Robert Hayward, repudiating his solicitudes.

Jack continues speaking.

"As we can see, the AMOC or the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation could collapse. Numerous intense storms could wreak major global cities, massive temperature variations would occur, and the northern hemisphere would be left frozen - our planet could trigger a new cataclysmic ice age."

At the conference, Professor Fraser Thomson, an oceanographer of the ECRC (European Climate Research Centre) in Scotland, keeps track of the world's ocean currents. Professor Thomson befriends Jack over his views of an impending climate shift. Fraser tells Jack that the melting of the polar ice caps has poured fresh water into the oceans and diluted the salt level balance, which has provoked the temperature of the ocean currents to drop 13 degrees.

Professor Fraser showed Jack by placing two buoys in the North Atlantic simultaneously, displaying a massive drop in the ocean temperature. Then concludes that the melting of the polar ice has begun disrupting the reconstructional data of the climate change that caused the first Ice Age; to predict what will arrive.

Due to this concern, both Jack and Fraser team up with NASA meteorologist Leeann Takada and build a forecast model based on Jack's, Fraser's and Leeann's data. 

Fox 11 Presents: "Breaking News: All over the Earth, the climate system is screwed; the violent weather causes mass destruction. U.S. President Blake has authorised the FAA to suspend air traffic due to severe turbulence after learning several tornadoes are decimating downtown, Los Angeles. 

Tokyo just got hit by softball size hail, and it starts to snow in New Delhi, and Los Angeles is predicted to be hit by many massive tornadoes. This map shows the three supergiant tornadoes on Canada, Siberia, and Scotland."

https://imgix.bustle.com/inverse/55/90/5e/73/05e9/4207/a1a2/608158a965b4/canada-scotland-siberia-all-screwed.jpeg?w=349&h=233&fit=max&auto=format%2Ccompress

White House, Washington D.C.

Jack meets the President and gives him the distressing news that his estimate of years has now turned down to days before the planet enters the new Ice Age. He urges the President to evacuate the southern states and Mexico because it's too late to evacuate the northern states.

ISS (International Space Station)

Three astronauts delay their return home after seeing a storm system spanning the northern hemisphere.

Siberia, Russia

Fox 11 reporter in Novosibirsk, Russia: "This has already started; the area of Eurasia is frozen and is spreading to the southerly areas of Asia and Europe." 

Tokyo, Japan

No one knew what swift weather variation could cause chaos in the populated metropolis of Tokyo. Unexpectedly, countless softball size hail storm the city, transmitting damages and several dead and wounded. 

A scene from The Day After Tomorrow
Credits: http://media.forumcinemas.ee/1000/Event_3433/gallery/021d68d6c4.jpg

New Delhi, India

This unexpected weather brought everyone to shock, the change from the blazing summer flame to the freezing snow descending. It becomes the coldest weather ever recorded in India. 

New York, United States

BREAKING NEWS:

"Warnings from the European Climate Research Centre have stated that the North Atlantic current had completely changed due to imbalance of salt and fresh water from the melting polar ice caps", shares a news reporter.

The sky turns black, 

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During term 2, we moved on from creative writing to visual text study. In this unit, we had to study a visual text, a movie. We watched The Power of One, as our text we had to write our essay on. This is another essay which I hadn't finished, which was not good. We had to write three body paragraphs for this essay, but I wrote one and a half paragraphs. 

Here is my visual text essay.

Body paragraph 1:

In the Going for a Run scene, the director uses the tracking shot completely. For example, the director, John Avildsen uses the tracking shot when Gideon and PK were running from Alexandria to Johannesburg. The purpose of this tracking shot used by Avildsen was to get the audience on board with PK and Gideon running and showing the life of the slums in Alexandria. This created impact on me by seeing the daily life in the slums and how difficult it is living there; for instance, it is seen when Gideon talks about the government allowing only one toilet for every 200 people and the law saying that only 2% of black people can go to school enough to be maids, street sweepers or mine slaves. This scene of the slums can be juxtaposed to Maria’s father’s (Marius Weyers) mansion emphasises a contrast in the living environment between the blacks and the whites.

Body paragraph 2:

In this scene, the director uses mise en scene adequately. This is demonstrated during PK and Gideon’s run, a Bantu, black African, was running towards the loading truck and a white Afrikaner kicked him off harshly. This was intended to show the harsh treatment the Afrikaners did to the black Africans. This technique created an impact by helping me see the struggles of black people during the time of Apartheid by the mistreatment and gruesome acts the English and Dutch were doing on them. This aspect can be related to when the Americans treated the black Africans during the Slave Trade, they faced brutal physical punishment, psychological abuse and endless hours of hard labour without compensation.

I didn't start on my third paragraph. But I'm happy with what I've done with my work. 

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Mid-term 3 and mid-term 4, we were looking at short text study, in this, we had to read several short texts and choose one text for the essay -- I chose the short text, "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" by James Thurber. We had to choose one topic question that we need to answer in our essay. I feel that this is the best piece of writing I did this year because I had finished the essay, which I am proud of. Here is my essay.

Describe at least one memorable idea in the text. Explain why this idea was memorable to you. 

“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” by James Thurber

Introduction:

In the short written text, “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” by James Thurber, the narrator portrays the mysterious life of Walter Mitty as a man in his own concealed world, where he mutates into a figure with immeasurable attributes and abilities. As he drives through the streets, he defies five daydream adventures, with some of them memorable for me. One memorable idea in this text is how Walter Mitty confronts chivalrous scenes with absolute assurance throughout the text. Walter Mitty has journeyed from a navy pilot to a surgeon to fighting in Germany. This key idea was memorable for diverse reasons — being brave and calm in troublesome circumstances and being fearless. 

Body Paragraphs

Hydroplane

One memorable idea incorporates the initial paragraph where Walter Mitty is in a crucial position. We see this when Mitty, a naval commander, directs his crew for technical modifications to the eight-engined aircraft. For example, the narrator first expressed with the dialogue, “We’re going through!” Another example is when the commander says he isn’t alarmed; the narrator remarks, “The Old Man ain’t afraid of Hell!” It explicates that the commander can do anything to fly the aircraft; this indicates that the commander isn’t afraid of anything and is prepared to fly the plane at any cost. The author wants us to ponder that we should be courageous when encountering a situation. It makes me understand how firm the commander is and can take risks no matter what. This reminds me of a later part in the text where Walter Mitty is a surgeon and resolves the situation by being brave and calm. The message I take away is to be brave when subduing your aversions and vulnerabilities.

Surgeon

In another daydream, Mitty is a renowned star surgeon, where he unravels the perplexity calmly and without any impediment. We see this when a trainee screeched, “The new anaesthetizer is giving way!” “There is no one in the East who knows how to fix it!” At that moment, Walter Mitty calmly replied in a calm and confident voice, “Quiet, man!” He began fingering the dials and then asked for a fountain pen. The author shows us that Mitty is calm, even when there is an error during an operation. It made the reader feel relieved because he knows how to fix the machine but was also worried. After all, the patient might wake up during an operation. In the real world, this idea is important because we should always be calm in situations where we feel stressed, sad, or angry. Staying calm allows you to think logically and make decisions logically. 

WWI Captain (Germany)

Lastly, the third memorable idea, where Mitty is up for the mission of bombing a depot. We see this during his daydream in World War I, Mitty is a captain for an army and volunteers to bombard the enemy ammunition depot. For example, when Mitty is talking with the sergeant and knows that the plane is frequently piloted by two people, Mitty speaks, “With the others. I’ll fly alone.” This means that Mitty is fearless in attacking the foe. The author wants us to consider that we should be fearless when facing our foes. This made the reader feel worried about Mitty, because it was a precarious job. In the real world, we should be courageous when challenging our weaknesses.

Conclusion

In the text, "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty", a memorable idea was how Walter Mitty confronts chivalrous scenes with absolute assurance throughout the text. This idea was memorable to me because it teaches a lesson of being brave and calm in troublesome circumstances and being fearless. Of all these reasons, I think the most important is being calm in troublesome circumstances.  If we don't, we won't focus on what we need to do and won't get much done. For example, when the new anaesthetizer wasn't working, Walter Mitty becomes calm and solves the problem calmly.  This text confronts us to be calm and to think logically.

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Difference Between the English and Māori Versions of the Treaty of Waitangi: Treaty of Waitangi | Social Studies

Welcome to another post. For Social Studies, we looked at the differences between the English and Māori versions of the Treaty of Waitangi and their differences. We were given a summary of the Treaty and had to find the differences between both versions.

The signing of the Treaty of Waitangi
Credit: Painting of the treaty signing by Marcus King, 1938 (Alexander Turnbull Library, G-821-2)
https://nzhistory.govt.nz/the-treaty-of-waitangi-is-signed

Treaty of Waitangi Māori and English Version

The Treaty of Waitangi - shown to British / everyone else	Te Tiriti o Waitangi - shown to Māori (English Translation)
Māori to give up complete sovereignty to Britain. This meant Māori came under complete control of the British government and laws.	Māori to give up governorship (Kāwanatanga). For Māori, this meant Queen Victoria became the sovereign of New Zealand. However, Māori chiefs still had control of their tribes.
Māori is guaranteed their ‘possession of their lands, estates, forests, fisheries, and other properties’.  The British crown has the pre-emptive right to buy Māori land that is offered for sale. That meant Māori could only sell to the British government.	Māori have full chieftainship (rangatiratanga) of their lands, villages and possessions and everything they treasure — language, culture, etc. If Māori wanted to sell their land, they had to first offer it to the British crown at an agreed price. If the British crown did not agree, land could then be sold to someone else.
Māori have the same rights as British subjects.	The British will protect Māori. Māori have the same rights as British subjects.

Differences between the British and Māori translations

In the British (English) version of the Treaty of Waitangi, it is said that Māori will give up complete sovereignty to Britain. However, in the Māori version, it is said that the Māori will only give up sovereignty, not complete sovereignty. Another difference is that in the English version, it is said that Māori is under the complete control of the British government, unlike the Māori version, where Queen Victoria became the sovereign of New Zealand and Māori chiefs still had control of their tribes. Māori thought that they can control their tribes, but they weren’t.

In the Māori version, taonga (treasured possession) and protection of language and culture are included, however, in the English version, it isn’t written. Another difference is that the British has the right to buy Māori land offered in sale, but in the Māori version, the Māori had to first offer it to the British crown, if they want to sell their land, with an agreed price; the land would be sold to someone else then if the British crown did not agree to the price.

In the Māori version of the Treaty, it was told that the British will protect Māori, but in the English version, it wasn’t written in the treaty.

In my opinion, I think the Treaty is different because the British want to be superior over Māori and gain profits out of the Treaty, meaning Māori will get less in return.

Is this the world's fastest electric plane?: Reflection Section | Wānanga

Text title: Is this the world's fastest electric plane? 

Text type: Article

Text creator: Stuff

Critical Literacy Question: What views of the world is the text presenting?

Date: 23rd November 2021

What views of the world is the text presenting?

I think the world is slowly trying to cut down emissions by taking small steps, like how Rolls-Royce made the fastest electric plane, which would make the planet a better place. However, the aircraft just went for a test, but, Sounds Air is hoping to fly passengers across Cook Strait in an all-electric plane by 2026, which I hope to come out soon, this is because it will encourage other airline companies to use all-electric planes and reduce greenhouse gases.

Brief:

The 'Spirit of Innovation'
Credit: John M. Dibbis/Rolls-Royce
https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/green-travel/127072304/is-this-the-worlds-fastest-electric-plane

Rolls-Royce has broken the record for the fastest all-electric plane aircraft. The aircraft, 'Spirit of Innovation', has hit the top speed of 623km/h during its test runs in the UK last week.

The Rolls-Royce CEO, Warren East, says that it is a "fantastic achievement".

Warren East said that “following the world’s focus on the need for action at COP26, this is another milestone that will help make ‘jet zero’ a reality and supports our ambitions to deliver the technology breakthroughs society needs to decarbonise transport across air, land and sea.”

Phill O'Dell, the pilot, said that it was the highlight of his career. “The opportunity to be at the forefront of another pioneering chapter of Rolls-Royce’s story as we look to deliver the future of aviation is what dreams are made of.”

The airline, Sounds Air expects to fly passengers across Cook Strait in electric planes by 2026 and aims to become the first in Australasia to offer customers zero-emission air travel.

Adapted from: https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/green-travel/127072304/is-this-the-worlds-fastest-electric-plane

Rocket Lab to launch New Zealand's first lunar mission: Reflection Section | Wānanga

Text title: Rocket Lab to launch New Zealand's first lunar mission

Text type: Article

Text creator: RNZ (Radio New Zealand)

Text purpose: To inform viewers about Rocket Lab launching New Zealand's first moon mission.

Critical Literacy Question: What questions about itself does the text not raise?

Date: 15 November 2021

What questions about itself does the text not raise?

I think the article should include about why is Rocket Lab launching the mission for NASA -- because NASA could've built it themselves. However, it is a good opportunity for the nation.

Brief:

Credit: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/448687/rocket-lab-to-launch-new-zealand-s-first-lunar-mission

An artist's concept of the future moon landing under the Artemis Program.
Credit: https://www.space.com/artemis-program.html & NASA

Later this year, Rocket Lab is going to launch its first mission to the Moon from the Māhia Peninsula. This will be the space company's first mission beyond the low Earth orbit (LEO) and the first lunar mission to be launched from New Zealand.

This mission by Rocket Lab will be launching for NASA, which is working on plans to send astronauts to the Moon "again".

Dubbing to the Artemis program (an ongoing space mission run by NASA), NASA wants to send the first woman astronaut and next male astronaut on the Moon's South Pole by 2024 -- and establish a long-term presence there.

An illustration of the Gateway - built with commercial partners, used for long-term exploration.
Credit: https://www.nasa.gov/gateway/overview

The satellite will test out the orbit and navigating technologies NASA wants to use for its mini-space station, Gateway - an outpost orbiting the moon, providing vital support for a long-term human return to the lunar surface.

Rocket Lab spokesperson Morgan Bailey said, "this is the very first step in NASA's plans to return humans to the surface of the Moon, something that we have not done since the 1970s."

The small launch vehicle has never been used to launch a mission to the Moon. The contract is valued at just under $10 million. Rocket Lab said that it is one of the most affordable lunar launches undertaken.

Adapted from:

• https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/448687/rocket-lab-to-launch-new-zealand-s-first-lunar-mission
• https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/nasa-moon-mission-artemis-program-launch-date
• https://www.nasa.gov/gateway/overview/

4G Mobile Network on The Moon!?: Reflection Section | Wānanga

Text title: The moon's getting a 4G mobile network

Text type: Article

Text creator: Anne Kauranen | Reuters       (Reporting by Anne Kauranen; Editing by Edmund Blair and Pravin Char)

Critical Literacy Question: What do the words suggest?

Date: 8th November 2021 

What do the words suggest?

The words in the article, 'The moon's getting a 4G mobile network', written by Reuters, suggest returning of humans, future settling and human settlements on the moon. 

For instance, in this article, NASA has selected Nokia to build the first cellular network on the moon. Nokia has said that the first wireless broadband communications system in space will be built on the lunar surface.

I believe that this mission will help simplify the communication errors between the astronauts and the control centre on Earth. 

Credits: https://newatlas.com/vodafone-nokia-moon-4g/53591/

Credits: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2020/10/Testing_lunar_4G_operations
Copyright: Nokia

Brief:

Nokia has been selected by NASA to build the first cellular network on the moon, as stated by the Finnish company, as the U.S. space agency projects a future where humans establish lunar settlements. Nokia has claimed that the first wireless broadband communications system in space would be built on the lunar surface in late 2022 before humans make it there.

According to the company, the network will establish a 4G/LTE communications system on the moon, though the am would be to eventually switch to 5G. This would allow astronauts voice and video communications capabilities, and allow data exchange, as well as remote control of lunar rovers and other robotic devices. It will be designed to withstand extreme conditions of the launch of the lunar landing and to operate in space.

Adapted from: https://www.reuters.com/article/nokia-nasa-moon-idUSKBN2741JR

Declaration of Independence: Treaty of Waitangi | Social Studies

Welcome to another post. Today, in Social Studies, we looked at the Declaration of Independence of New Zealand, which also links in with the Treaty of Waitangi. We had to watch a video, and had to answer some questions relating from the video.

Declaration of Independence

• What does declare mean?

To announce, to say it aloud.

• What does independent mean?

Free from control, to not rely on someone else, and not in anyone’s authority. 

• Which country did Aotearoa begin trading with? Why not other countries?

The French and other countries tried to trade and didn’t go well. It was the British that Māori traded with successfully and peacefully.

• What is the Treaty of Waitangi?

A Treaty of Waitangi was signed on 6 February 1840 between the representatives of the British Crown and the Māori chiefs in Waitangi. It takes the name from the place where it was first signed. The main purpose of this treaty was to protect the Māori culture and enable Māori to continue living in New Zealand as Māori. Simultaneously, the Treaty gave the Crown the right to govern the nation and represent the interests of all New Zealanders. This treaty included the 3 principles of partnership, participation, and protection.  

However, after the signing of the treaty, the land was lost through a combination of private and Government purchases, outright confiscation, and Native Land Court practices that made it difficult for Māori to maintain their land under traditional ownership structures. Also, there were purchases of Māori land prior to the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.

• What is the Declaration of Independence?

The declaration of independence was signed in 1835 by 35 Rangatira (Māori leaders) and four British residents. It proclaimed the sovereign independence of New Zealand before the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.