Reflection

=Personal Reflection=

__Tweety__
In this project, we investigated the swimming pool water by looking at the bacteria, pH, and buffer. It allows us to look at swimming pool water from different perspectives. Each of us was mainly responsible for certain parts of the lab, not only that, we modify other people's work and discuss with each other. I was able to cooperate very well with other group members and work effectively during the time available. What I've learn from the result of our labs is that swimming pool water aren't as noxious as I've imagined. In addition, I found the lab very interesting and useful because we get to apply what we learned in the class room to real life. I discovered that the "road of exploration" for scientists are challenging and time consuming. They spend so much time and energy on each scientific investigation.

__Guard__
Our goal is to find out rather or not swimming pool water can be harmful to human skin. We did that by using different kinds of knowledge, biological and chemical, and testing different elements, such as the amount of bacteria and hydrogen ions within water. We split the job by assigning biology students to look at bacteria and chemistry students to look at the pH levels. Since our lab includes 2 areas of science, biology and chemistry, and I have a limited knowledge about chemistry, this experiment and my lab partners helped me understand more about each field. For example the pH of swimming pool water is not constant and it can increase easily because of the chemical used. We have four people in this group and even if we are not working on the same experiment we constantly help each other out. Also, because of this lab, I became very skillful at the Gram Stain procedures! The whole Gram Stain process becomes so much faster and easier. We don’t even have to look at the handouts any more in order to proceed to the next step. Having more opportunities to look at bacteria, I feel more interested in Biology than ever! I understand how some bacteria can be helpful and others harmful to human bodies. I can see how science is more related to everyday life. The task of finding out the answer takes many steps, also, during the investigation there will be many problems and changes occur but those are all part of the process.

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__Hello Kitty__
From this experiment, I learned that the data we got did not always agree with the theory since any there would always be some errors and limitations. **That's why science is interesting.** When you get "weird" data or pattern, you are motivated to carry out further investigations. There is no end in gaining knowledge. The Bio's group experiment about the bacteria was interesting, but after we got the result, I'm scared to swim in the swimming pool of my compound. Moreover, the result from the Chemistry group showed that the swimming pool waters were not well buffered, which could be dangerous for our skin. The main reason why I found this experiment really useful and interesting was because our investigation related to our everyday life. I was really glad to learn how to use Wiki. I also learned a lot of cool stuff related to web page designs from other members of my group.

__Nikki__
//Biology:// The result was very interesting. I was afraid after dipping the bacteria for one hour, all the bacteria might die out because of the chemical, however, in some swimming pool there were many bacteria!! In a way I think I was lucky because if the chemical was strong they might be none of the bacteria left. Also it was a great chance how //Staphylococcus epidermidis// functions on our skin that I never knew. //Chemistry:// The experiment for the chemistry part was weird. The results were totally different then what we expected, but this told me that if we try apply our knowledge in our real life, it is complex than we think that it is hard to get the result we expect. Also getting results that we didn't expected tempts me to do further investigation to figure out why the results were different from what we expected. //Overall:// It was a great experience to combine two science class and apply our knowledge into one project. I wish if we have more chance to have these kind of lab.