Charity Fair Project Reflection Blog

Image:

I took this picture on my phone.

Summary

• Briefly explain the project. Tell us what you learned, not what you did.

One specific thing that I learned about was what was a carbon footprint. I had never heard that term before, but know I know what it is, how we reduced it, and why ours was reduced. A carbon footprint is how much carbon is produced by transporting an item from one place to another. All of our materials are manufactured inside the U.S.A., so it couldn't travel by ship and it would probably travel by train because all the products are in the same country, but not state. Freight trains emit less carbon dioxide because they can travel about 400 miles on a gallon of diesel while a truck would only travel around 150 miles on a gallon of diesel. Since a train consumes less gas than a truck while traveling the same distance the train would generate less carbon dioxide. Reducing your carbon footprint helps the environment (ozone layer). I learned what a carbon footprint is, how a train reduced our carbon footprint, and the importance of a carbon footprint.

Backward-Looking:

• How much did you know about the subject before we started?

I knew quite a bit about the process of charity fair because I did it last year, but this year was different. One thing that was different was that we made a chart and wrote a paragraph on our materials' carbon footprint. Another thing that was done differently was how we were able to charge up to $5 for our product (Last year many people didn't make a profit). The last thing that was different was how all of AdVENTURES' profit went to one charity instead of each pair/groups' profit going to the charity of their choice. There were some differences and some similarities, but in the end I learned a lot.

Inward-Looking:

• How do you feel about this piece of work? What parts of it do you particularly like? Dislike? Why? What did/do you enjoy about this piece or work?

I really like projects in AdVENTURE and I specifically enjoy charity fair, as well as a few other projects. I particularly liked a few things. One thing I liked was how all our money goes to charity (It feels really good to know that the money you made is going to a good cause). Another thing that I like is how this project is more hands-on, we get to make products and show our creativity. I liked how well Gabby and I were able to split up the work and cooperate with each other. The last thing that I really liked was how this year the charity fair project was incorporated in almost each class, in science we worked on our carbon footprint, in history we worked on choosing and researching a charity,in ELA we worked on our video, speech, and presentation and in math we worked on our trifold and finishing up what was needed. I didn't dislike anything. I just enjoyed this project in general because it was a very valuable learning experience, I learned about new charities, what a carbon footprint was, how to present persuasively (in a new way) and more.

Outward-Looking:

• What grade would you give it? Why?

I would give my charity fair project and A. I would do this because Gabby and I continuously checked each part of our project against the rubric (if one was provided). Another reason I believe we did well was because Gabby and I put in tons of effort and we tried to make the components of our project as detailed as possible. The final reason is that many parents complimented us on how detailed, informative, and unique our trifold board was. Not only would I give my charity fair project an A, I am very proud of how much time and work Gabby and I put into it.**I specifically think that our carbon footprint was done very well and that we would get an A because Ms. J was smiling when she read it.**

Forward-Looking:

• What would you change if you had a chance to do this piece over again?

If I had the chance to redo this project I would intentionally change two things. The first thing that I would do differently is that Gabby and I would make more cupcakes. I would do this because after we were sold out many people came asking to buy our cupcakes (because they were delicious and reasonably priced).The second thing that I would change is that I would make cupcakes in different flavors (we had chocolate and vanilla, but I think it would be nice to have had swirl or strawberry flavored cupcakes).I feel like it would have given our customers more of a variety and we would have attracted more customers. Even though there are a few things I would like to change I am very happy with how the charity fair project went this year. Mostly everything went smoothly, except transporting our board because of the height, and we sold all of our products.