Journal


 * __Journal__ -**

In the beginning of the year, Mrs. Ward came to me with a suggestion for my hands on project. That suggestion was to choose the foods that will go into the vending machines at STHS. I took on the task and thus my hands on project became to choose the foods. I was given a guideline packet that had all of the guidelines that the foods/drinks must meet. I immediately began researching foods and finding different foods that meet the guidelines. In my "Vending Machine Product Sources" page you can see the different foods I first came up with for the machine. On Nov. 18, Mr. Puckett took me down to the vending machine room to see the different types of machines. I decided that I would use the 3 A Day Dairy vending machine because of its refrigeration qualities. The machine has a total of 44 slots. All can be used for food, but 24 can be used for drinks as well. I created a proposal that lists all of the foods and drinks that will go into the machines. The proposal contains a justification for why I decided to go forth with this project and my reasoning for what will be in the machine, a description of the vending machine situation at STHS, the set guidelines each food had to meet, and tables of the foods and drinks, nutritional information included. I completed most of it over the holiday break, but decided to add more to it since then. I have completed my proposal, and it is ready for the administration.

** __ Reflection __ ** My hands on project was to choose the foods that will go into the vending machines at STHS. I was given a guideline packet that had all of the guidelines that the foods/drinks must meet. Once deciding on my topic, I immediately began researching foods and finding different foods that meet the guidelines. On Nov. 18, Mr. Puckett took me to see the machines that I would have the opportunity to fill. After viewing the machines, I decided that I would use the 3 A Day Dairy vending machine because of its refrigeration qualities. The machine has a total of 44 slots. All can be used for food, but 24 can be used for drinks as well. For my hands on project I created a proposal that lists all of the foods and drinks that will go into the machines. The proposal contains a justification for why I decided to go forth with this project and my reasoning for what will be in the machine, a description of the vending machine situation at STHS, the set guidelines each food had to meet, and tables of the foods and drinks along with the nutritional information of each food/drink. I completed most of it over the holiday break, but decided to add more to it since then. I have completed my proposal, and it is ready for the administration. My main goal was to find foods to fill the machine that not only fit the set guidelines, but that teenagers would enjoy and buy. I did not have a time goal with my project because I knew that as time went by, I would come across more foods that I could put into the proposal. To achieve the goals, I had to go to my friends and family. I asked them what kind of foods they would like and added them to the list of foods that I personally would like to see in the machines. Also, at the end of my presentation I handed out note cards to those of whom were in my class and asked them what kind of foods they would like in the machines. After collecting the cards I did some research and added the foods that met the guidelines. I wanted to have a variety of foods in the proposal, and although there are many of the same type of foods, I was able to create some variety in the machine. With help from others, especially Mrs. Ward, I was able to achieve my goals. During this project I learned what kind of foods athletes need and that kids would buy. I also learned that the guidelines for school foods is very strict, so just about anything in a school vending machine can be trusted to supply an athlete with the nutrients and energy he/she needs to perform well. I also learned that I have strength in the nutrition field. I have a lot of knowledge when it comes to nutrition and I practice what I preach. Research wise, I leaned that it is not easy and takes a lot of time to put together a list based on others interest. It takes much more research than expected, and I have the patience to do so. My weaknesses are forgetfulness and questioning. What I mean by forgetfulness is that I will hear directions, and then forget what they are after a few minutes, thus causing me to ask tons of questions. I always ask questions because I want to make sure that I am correct and doing well, but I know that later in life, I will not have the guidance that my teacher supplies and I will need to go with my gut. I have grown as a researcher and a student. Going forward, I take with me a desire to enrich my knowledge of nutrition. I am sure now that I want to be a dietitian when I grow up. I also take with me good research skills and knowledge on how to give presentations and citing, all of which I will need in the dietetics field. I realize that one must work hard to be successful and that I will not always have support from others when creating a presentation. Quite a lot of it will be on me, people are not just going to throw good information at me. I will need to go out and get it myself, no matter how long it may take.

Oct. 5- Oct 7-13- Oct 15 - Oct 19 - Oct 21 - Oct 25 - Oct 27 - Oct 29 - Nov 4 - Nov 8 - Nov 10 - Nov 12 - Nov 16 - Nov 18 - Nov 22 - Nov 24 - Nov 30 - Dec 2 - Dec 6 - Dec 8 - Dec 10 - Dec 14 - Dec 20 -
 * I narrowed down my research topic. "How does a high school athletes diet impact their performance?"
 * I researched articles having to do with the impact of junk food on athletes, but was not successful
 * I researched my topic and found articles on it.
 * I created annotations for them
 * I started to research and look for foods that I will be able to put in the vending machine. I also learned about how to cite images.
 * I finished most of my images activity.
 * I completely finished my copyright images activity.
 * I continued to research foods for the vending machine
 * I continued my annotations
 * I found sources that contained different information than what I've previously found
 * I began annotating source 9
 * I found another source that contains different information that what I've previously found
 * I annotated source 9 and 10
 * I started thinking about what type of outline I should do for my research product #1
 * I continued to look for types of food to put into the vending machine.
 * I found a lot of great options
 * I continued my research
 * I chose my type of research product - Brochure
 * I began my outline for my first research product
 * My first product is a brochure about what people need to know about nutrition and the effects of good nutrition
 * I have completed my outline for my first project
 * I am finding more foods that fit the guidelines
 * I am finding more foods to fit the guidelines
 * I worked on my research product
 * found more foods (more so beverages) that could go into the vending machines
 * I tried to go see Mr. Puckett about the vending machines situation
 * I made an appointment
 * I continued to work on my brochure
 * Met with Mr. Puckett about the vending machines and got permission to stock them
 * Finished up my brochure
 * Found more drinks for the vending machines
 * Fixed my first research product
 * Worked on my second research product outline
 * Continued second research product outline
 * Found more sources for my outline.
 * Realized I needed to fix my thesis and changed it to "A primarily carbohydrate diet is more essential than a primarily protein diet for athletes who want to perform their best."
 * Worked on my outline some more
 * Decided to change my research product 2 to a paper rather than another brochure
 * Found some scientific data to support my thesis
 * Continued to search for scientific data to support my thesis.
 * I had trouble finding scientific data that proves that the carbs are better than proteins.
 * I finished my second research products rough draft
 * Mrs. Ward revised my paper and made edits
 * I made the corrections to my second research product
 * I altered my thesis statement and it is now "Although protein is important in a healthy diet, athletes perform better on a high-carb diet."
 * Finished my corrections and am going to get it peer revised