Finishing Touches!

There's only a few short days before our senior project is due and we show everything off at the expo. As of right now, there isn't a lot left for me to do. I just need to write the half a page left on my reflection paper, organize my portfolio, and finish my tri-fold. I also have a few clips to edit out of my presentation video, but that won't take me too long. I'm going to have my computer set up on my table at the expo, so everyone can view my presentation first hand. I also made a print copy of the game to include in my portfolio. I have a few props to set up also. I'm really happy with how everything came together and turned out! I just hope the judges and my teachers think so too! A teacher of one of the second grade classes I spoke to talked to my teacher about my project and said it was good. I'm hoping that means the kids got as much out of it as I hoped they would.

I know I complained a lot about this project at the beginning, but looking back, it really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Then again, hindsight is always 20/20. I learned a lot about my work ethic and time management. With my project coming to a close, there won't be too many posts left, but I will post when I get my results back in April!

Presentation Day!

I finally got my final presentation done to the second graders today and I'm so relieved! I was actually more nervous today when I was done because now I have to worry about all the final details to get my whole project done for the expo. I started decorating my tri-fold, and I'll finish painting it tomorrow. After my presentation, I uploaded pictures to the Internet and ordered prints to have and then I started working on a photo book. I'll get that done tomorrow to get made. I'm really excited to be finishing up and see what everyone did!

The kids did great at the presentation, but their favorite part was probably my apple mouth snacks (at left). They didn't take long to make and were actually really good. Some of the questions were a little to easy for them, while there were some that were pretty tricky. But that was the point, I explained more to them the answers that they didn't know. I think a game was a better idea than a lecture. Some kids also asked questions at the end about words and things they didn't understand, so that really made me feel good because I knew they were paying attention. Afterwards, I handed out toothbrush packets to all the kids and they were really excited about that. Except that most of the packets had Disney Princess flossers instead of Toy Story for the boys. All in all, I'm really proud and excited that I buckled down and got business done!

Snow Day

Well, Deuel School finally had its' first official snow days this week. Of course, the first storm of the year had to fall on the exact days of my senior project. Hopefully, rescheduling and getting it done a week later is drama free. I talked to Mrs. Tekrony today and we set up another date next Wednesday, March 7th. That won't leave me a lot of time after to get my things together, but I'll try my hardest. Getting all those extra hours in will be nice. I've also started working on my reflection paper and printing papers out for my portfolio. I'm just counting down the days until the expo. 18 left and counting!

Final Touches

Tonight, I've been working a lot on getting the final details ready for my project on Wednesday. I also finished some papers for my portfolio, so all I need to do is get those printed out. I'm really anxious to be getting my papers into my portfolio because then I'll feel closer to having things together.

I'm working on finishing my Jeopardy game now, so I can have my faculty mentor look through it tomorrow or Tuesday. And I sorted through all of my toothbrush kits to make sure boys got boy packets and girls get girl packets. Blue toothbrushes and a Disney princess flosser could be tricky.

As of now, we're in the middle of a Blizzard Warning in good ole' South Dakota. Of course, it would wait until I have to do my project to snow this much. I'm hoping for no snow days because then I would freak out about rescheduling my entire project with only 3 weeks left to go until the expo.

Working Hard

I have been working really hard the last few days on my project. My presentation is coming up quickly, the 29th, so I'm rushing to get all that figured out. I talked to my principal about writing a letter to the parents about photography privacy, in case they didn't want their children in my pictures and video. I got those printed and sent out in Wednesday.

The dentist office also called me this week to let me know all my supplies came in! I'm going to pick them up tomorrow. Hopefully, I got all the packets I need. The packets will have toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss in each and I will hand those out to the kids after my presentation. I also started gathering ingredients to make snacks to hand out to the kids.

For my actual informational presentation to the kids, I decided to make a Jeopardy game on the Internet. This way I won't just be lecturing them, they'll be involved, and in cases they don't know a question, I can still teach and explain it to them. I think it's a very good idea and I'm really excited to just get it over with.

The expo is coming up soon, and I'm getting really excited for that part. Not to get it over with, but to actually put all of my project together and decorate my booth. The expo will be a lot of fun and I'm excited to show off all my hard work and see what my classmates have come up with!

Almost There!

Term paper: COMPLETE! I never thought I'd be so excited to say those words! That just means that I'm getting that much closer to having my project finished! That's my main worry and goal now and I only have the next two weeks to prepare. I talked to the second grade teachers at school and we agreed on February 29th as the day of my presentation. I have the basics of what I want to do and now I just have to get all the facts together so my presentation flows smoothly. I'd hate to get in front of 40 7 year olds and totally space out.

I have a mouth and toothbrush to show how to properly brush teeth and then I'm going to make a Jeopardy game on the Internet for them to play. I've talked to my faculty mentor about how to make the questions easy without repeating them. I also have to talk to my mentor and the teachers about whether or not I'll need to send out consent forms to the kids parents about giving me permission to use their pictures from the presentation in my expo project. I'll get that done tomorrow, so I'll be able to send them out soon if need be.

I'm actually getting really excited about the project now that I'm finally getting somewhere with it and I can't wait to see how it all comes together! Stay tuned because I'm sure I'll have more to talk about later! :)

Almost Done!

I'm so excited to be almost done with my project and term paper! My term paper is due this Thursday and then the final copy is due next Thursday. After I'm finished with that, there will be a huge weight lifted off my shoulders! I will be solely focused on my project because I finally set that date up for the last few days in February. I talked to Mrs. Tekrony today, so we'll set up a date soon. She needed to speak with the other second grade teacher first. I decided to do both classes at the same time. There are 39 kids in both combined. Oofta!

I went to the dentist office twice today, and after school I got to help with some kiddos when they got their teeth cleaned. It was cool because I'd never seen a tooth with a real cavity before, so I got to see new things too! I got to use a few utensils and help Gail. It also helped that I knew the two little girls, so they weren't so nervous. I'm really glad I finally got a few pictures, even though it's a few. Here's a sneak peek!

New Ideas!

The clock is really ticking for me to get my project done, so last Friday I met up with my faculty mentor to talk about some different ideas for my presentation to the second graders. I decided that a basic powerpoint was too boring to keep their attention, so instead I'm going to ask my community mentor and the local dentist for some help and tools I could use for a shorter demonstration presentation. I'm going to show the kids how to properly brush their teeth. I hope I'll also be able to find a way to show them all the plaque on their teeth and see if they can get it all off. Hopefully, I'll be able to get all the supplies for that. I'm going to try to find some interactive games too.

I tried to go to the dentist Friday to talk to Gail, but the office was closed. I also got more ideas from Mr. Gudmundson about how I could get more interactive and get more pictures. So hopefully that all will be able to work out when I go talk to Gail after school today. I'll try to keep you updated with more information as I keep working!

Work Update

The last few days have been pretty busy for me. I've been working really hard to get focused on my paper and project, but it's really hard to balance the two at the same time. Today I finally started writing my term paper. I feel a whole weight lifted just because I got a head start and now I can just keep working with what I have. I plan on working on it a lot out of school, so I can get it done ahead of time.

I e-mailed my faculty mentor, Mr. Gudmundson, on Monday and we decided to meet on Friday to talk about and start on my final product. I have so many ideas for my presentation, but I don't know how to put it all together for the little kids. I decided to do the second grade, so I should go talk to the teachers tomorrow also to set up a date for the presentation. I don't want to bore the kids. It's probably not something they have a lot of speakers for, but it's something they probably know a little about already. I hope to spend an hour or more with my mentor tomorrow.

I also want to set up a few more visits with my community mentor Gail. Hopefully then I'll be able to get some photos and really be able to help out with little kids. Now that January is almost over, I can't believe how soon this project is due. I'm confident I will be able to get it done on time and make it even better for the expo.

That reminds me, tomorrow I'll have to get ahold of my aunt about a big mouth and toothbrush prop she might have. I think that would really help get the kids interacted in the presentation and even at the expo. I would be able to have some props there to keep my booth interesting!

Project Update

Yesterday I spent some time doing a lot more research for ideas and information I can use for my final product. I found a lot of great websites with pretty interesting information. My final product will be a presentation for an elementary class about dental health. I want it to be really interactive, so I'm hoping to maybe work with the second graders. If need be, I would like to do more, but I don't want to do too old of kids and bore them to death. And that's the age where kids start losing their baby teeth, so it's very important to keep them healthy. February is National Children's Dental Month, so I'll be doing all of this around the end of February, which I means I need to kick some butt into gear fast.

I hope I'll be able to find more ideas to make it a more unique presentation than just a powerpoint and me speaking to them. I'm open to ideas!

I'm so relieved we've started working on our papers because now I feel like I'm that much closer to being done with my project. At the same time, time is going by so fast and I feel like I don't have enough time to get it all done. I'm having pretty good luck, so far, finding enough information and research. I don't think I'll have any trouble getting at least eight pages. If not, I'll just add to it.

Research Paper Research

I finally picked out a topic to research for my term paper. The topic I chose is the connection between your oral health and your systematic health. I decided that I would choose three of the most popular to write about, those are heart disease, diabetes, and problems with pregnancy. I'm really looking forward to this idea because I never really thought there would be serious consequences from something as simple as not brushing your teeth.

This weekend, I've been doing some research for my paper and now I'm going to start working on my final project. I hope it will be easier to put all together than I'm imagining.

Research Paper Ideas

As of now, I'm still busy working on my Christmas break assignment we had for our lit class. We're starting our research papers tomorrow when we go back to class. The assignment was given so that we can look into different ideas for our papers, so that when we get back to class we have an idea about how much of a paper we can write with a certain topic.

The assignment hasn't been taking me too long, I just take little breaks in between so I don't get too frustrated. It's helped me a lot though because some ideas I thought would be interesting would actually be pretty hard. For example, I thought I could write about different toothpastes, compare them, and tell if they really do what they say. The problem is finding true evidence and research about it. One website has their opinion and another way has a different view. I did narrow down my options a little, so I'm hoping when I'm done it will be an easy decision!

Gathering Supplies

This evening while I was in Watertown, I decided to pick up some supplies I thought I would need for my expo presentation and project. I bought a 3-ring binder, binder sheets, and a tri-fold. Some supplies are cheaper around Christmas and the end of the year. My cost analysis was pretty close compared to the actual price. I'm trying to figure out some decorating ideas, but I can't really find the items I'm looking for. I guess that isn't the biggest worry now. For now I'll stay focused on my hours and working on my project for the kids.

I decided I'll do my presentation/final product in February during National Children's Dental Month since I'm focusing my final product on the elementary students.

Dentist in December

I went to the dentist office again today. I talked to and shadowed my community mentor, Gail. This time was a lot more exciting because I got to see some procedures I have never seen before. When I got there I suited up and watched another routine cleaning, but after I got to see Gail and the dentist make a mouth guard to people with sleep apnea and snoring issues. I knew I should have brought the camera along with, but I forgot.

I was disappointed that I had to leave right before they did a drilling procedure with a lady's dentures. I thought that would have been interesting to see. I asked Gail if there would be some more hands on things I could do while I was there to get more pictures and experience. There are a lot of regulations against it, but she said if I came after school when more kids were there I could assist her more. I'm hoping we can set up another date like that or maybe even a full day.

Last week, we had an update to check our progress. I updated my time log and my cost analysis. I don't think this project will cost me a whole lot. Just around $30 and most of it goes towards printing costs and my expo presentation in March. I've logged around 5 hours so far. I think in January, I'll start picking up the pace with going to the dentist regularly. Once I start working on my final product I think that will take up a lot of time too. I'm beginning to not be too worried about my project. Starting was definitely the hardest part.

Finally Got the Ball Rolling

Alright, I have finally started my senior project. Yesterday, November 21st, I went to shadow my mentor at the dentist office. I was there for about an hour and a half, but I got there at the end of one appointment and then I left during the very beginning of the second appointment. There wasn't much to the appointments, but in between Gail was able to show me how things run at the office.

I learned about the different rooms and their light system to show where people are needed and when their appointments arrive. She also showed me how she sets up all of her tools. Then she showed me where they store all their items in the cabinets. I also got to see the basement/lounge/eating area. Then I got to get their laundry out of the dryer and put it up for them to use the next day.

All in all I think it was a pretty productive first day. At least I got the ball rolling and I've started. I hope that I'll be able to make another appointment to go in next week.

Down to the Last Second

The deadline is two days away and I finally got my letter of intent handed in and both my mentors are picked out! I chose Mr. Gudmundson to be my faculty mentor. He is a health teacher at Deuel, so I figured he was the closest I could get to a dental assistant. I also chose Gail Toft from the Clear Lake Dentist Office for my community mentor. It took me long enough to get ahold of her, but I finally did it!

After getting my mentors, finishing my letter of intent was easy breezy. I really hope it gets accepted though, I think I have a really good idea. I'm hoping to shadow at the dentist office and learn more about dental hygiene. After all I've learned, I want to do something with the elementary school students about dental health. My research paper is going to be about gum disease, to tie into the project as a whole. I definitely feel like a little weight is lifted off my shoulders now, and now I can just work, work, work!

My Final Answer

Talk about coming out of an oblivion! Nothing like starting school to give you a little kick in the buttocks to get moving! I finally have settled my mind on an idea and I'm sticking to it for here on out! I've been able to talk to teachers and get more ideas so it was a lot easier to make a decision.

I don't want to give away all my secrets (insert evil laugh here), but it's still in the area of dental assisting. I have a project idea and one for my research paper too! I know who my mentors are, so now all that's left is getting the final OK from the committee. I really wish I would have worked on this during the summer to get ahead of the game. I can already tell I'll need to get down to business a lot more this year.

I was completely unprepared to come back to school this week. I feel like I dropped off the Earth (summer) onto Mars (school). Good analogy right? Hopefully when things get into a routine it won't be too hard to adjust. Definitely not praying for summer this year. Graduation could hold off as long as it wants.

Stay tuned!

Changed My Mind...Again!

Talk about failing at life! School starts in less than a week, but I already feel twenty miles behind on my project. I finally think, though, that I've found a topic I can stick with and I can go with for the other portions of the project. I've decided on Dental Assisting. I think that occupation is way off base for me considering I would never love to stick my hands in people's teeth for a living.

I haven't completely figured out my paper or project, but I have thought of some pretty decent ideas. For anyone following, hopefully now that I have myself in gear I can keep the blog updated a little more. Who knows, maybe I could fall in love with a totally different idea tomorrow. But I hope not!

Summer Fever

Wow, I'm already half way into June and still have yet to decide a topic! It hasn't even crossed my mind between work and barely any free time. Now it's all catching up to me and I need to get my butt in gear. I'm 100% sure I've landed on a Hospitality Management theme, all I have to do now is figure out my project and topic for a research paper. The two hardest parts! AH! I feel so behind since I was set on working on this during the summer break. Hopefully I will be able to get my stuff together and begin talking with mentors to be extra prepared!

I should also keep everyone updated on my blog! There hasn't been a lot to talk about, obviously. Now, I'll be able to write more often. I would also really really appreciate comments and ideas from anyone reading this! Maybe you think a little more out of the box than I do, and I'm always looking for new ideas. Thanks! :)

Dazed and Confused

Well, it's certainly been a long time since I've posted last. I'm kind of coming to a halt with my project plans. I have a little knowledge of what I want to do in the future after college, but this project is really making me wonder. Our topic has to be a stretch, something we've never done or attempted before. But I think what I want to do with my future shouldn't be something out of the ordinary. The whole research paper thing is the hardest part. Maybe someone could give me suggestions about a topic for my paper that goes along with event planning? A little outside help would be great at this point. I have the whole summer to get a head start and I'd like to take advantage of the time.

Tomorrow is also my last day of my junior year of school! I'm so excited but it doesn't even seem real that I'm already a senior. I can still picture my elementary school days like it was just yesterday. Time goes by so fast.