Capstone Blog post #3

Writing my essay was hard, but writing this essay was fun even though there where some ups and downs.  I changed my main inquiry a couple times which caused me to change my essay a lot.  Sometimes I had to restart most of my essay.  If you did not know my topic is about Elon Musk and my main inquiry question is What are the pros and cons of Elon Musk’s companies, Tesla and SpaceX, on the environment?  There was a lot of stuff that I did not know about Elon Musk. 

This is my WeVideo

I have had a great time so far working on my final project. For my final project l am doing a WeVideo.  I am really enjoying making it because l like putting all of my information into a script. It was really hard to find good pictures for me because I am really picky with pictures.  I also like finding very good pictures.  I have learned many things.  One thing I learned was that you have to try and find the best pictures and you have to make sure that they are not blurry because the pictures are a really important part in your video.  They are important because that is what your audience is looking at the whole time and if the pictures are blurry it can really distract them.  Another thing that l learned was that you have to re read your script over and over again because when you read it out loud you may realize that you keep stumbling on a certain sentence or word.  Also when you are doing your voice-over for you movie you need to make sure it is very good and that you don’t talk to o fast or mumble because if you do it can effect your entire presentation.

My WeVideo

Capstone Interview

I had one of my Capstone interviews on Monday, 5/17.  This interview was with Gary Wagner.  He is a space engineer who is familiar with Elon Musk and the SpaceX program.  My other interview was with Ashlee Vance who is the author of the book “Elon Musk and the Quest for a Fantastic Future.”  This interview was done through emails because Ashlee Vance was not available for an in person interview.  I had a hard time finding people to interview about my Capstone topic.  Thankfully, Mrs. Clemente, Mrs. Edwards, and my Aunt Barrie helped me secure two awesome experts!

When I interviewed Gary Wagner I was super shy.  I was able to get a lot of information.  Mr. Wagner was so knowledgeable that it took him about three to six minutes to answer each question.  I think is really useful and he was really nice!   I set up my phone to record along with a computer for our zoom and another computer which had my questions.  My main inquiry is “Who is Elon Musk and how will his innovation shape the future of the environment and space travel?

My interview questions were:

  1. What inspired you to become a space engineer?
  2. What kind of schooling and or training did you have to complete to be a space engineer?
  3. What are some of your daily responsibilities?
  4. What do you find interesting and/or important about SpaceX?
  5. What is SpaceX doing now that NASA has not been able to do?
  6. How important are reusable rockets to a space program?
  7. How will  SpaceX keep people alive on Mars?
  8. Where will colonists live on Mars and how will they survive?
  9. Do you think interplanetary travel will be realized in your lifetime? In mine?  Why or why not?
  10. What would bring space travel to the next level?
  11. Do most space engineers admire Elon Musk?  Why or why not?

Ashlee Vance is an author who wrote three books on Elon Musk.  Thank you Mrs Edwards for getting me one of Ashlee’s books  Elon Musk & the Quest For a Fantastic Future.  He has interviewed Elon Musk who has changed the way people live.  Mr. Vance interviewed and got to know the Musk family and we can learn all about his life as a child in South Africa, having Asperger’s and creating innovations that will change our world.  Here are the five questions he answered for me:

  1. What led you to write books on Elon Musk?
  2. Elon Musk is involved in a lot of different companies. How does he manage all his responsibilities?
  3. What job does he care about the most? Why do you think so?
  4. Elon Musk has accomplished a lot so far. What trait of his do you think has the most influential one for his success?  How?
  5. Do you think Tesla or SpaceX will have the most long-term impact on our society?  Why?

I am interested in Elon Musk and Tesla’s.  I think he is someone to admire and I can’t wait to have my own Tesla one day!

 

Rube Goldberg blog post 2

My overall experience was hard and frustrating.  It took me over 100 tries to get the chicken nuggie to dip into the sauce.  My favorite part was learning how to use power tools to make better dominoes with my dad!  I used a pipe as an inclined plane, I used a Peloton as a wheel and axle/gear, the chicken nuggie dunker is a lever and pulleys for the rope.  I used a mouse trap, pool noodles, vacuums and rope.  Testing was hard, one test the chicken nugget went flying.  It was really funny!  I had to change a match box to a ramp to hit the wood blocks because the vacuum was to powerful.  I really hope you enjoy my video!

My Sketch

 

Capstone 2021

I am working hard on my Capstone project!  If you don’t know what Capstone is it is a big project at the end of fifth grade. Every student gets to choose their topic. This is the last big project of fifth grade. This project takes two months to complete.  My topic is the man, the myth, the legend. Elon Musk- yes, the one and only.  My main inquiry question is, Who is Elon Musk and how will his innovations shape the future of the environment and space travel?  My sub questions are

Who is Elon Musk?

What innovations is Elon Musk best known for?

What kind of vehicles has Tesla made and how will they help the environment?

What are the goals of SpaceX?

What are the projects that SpaceX are working on now and in the future?

Coming  up with my topic and all of the research questions was really hard, but I think they will help teach you all about Elon Musk and his innovations and how they will change the world!  More to come…. Stay tuned!!!