Reflection - Science project

Over the past few weeks Connie, Gene, and I were assigned a project. We were given a 2 metre ramp and a cardboard box with weights in it. We were to study and calculate all the forces acting on the box as it slid down the ramp. I didn't like the idea of it at first; with the long list of instructions and words I wasn't quite familiar with, but as we researched about it off the internet and asked Mr Loken the right questions, the group slowly began to understand the problem more clearly. Although there was a lot of heavy and new math concepts to be learnt as well during this project, I think the group was open to learning all the new information. 

What I liked about the project is that we were able to work at our own pace, and that we had a final due date, not many little ones. But at that, I didn't like the fact that we were just given a set of instructions, some equipment, some resources, and a due date. Yes, thank you, Mr Loken for helping us understand and calculate the forces behind this simple, yet complicated movement of the box down the ramp, but it gave all the members in the group a headache when we first heard what we were supposed to do. 

What bugged me at the end of all this is that we didn't manage to find the coefficients of friction between the wooden ramp and the cardboard box which cost us a few points on the overall. I should really read through all the instructions on the paper next time...

Frankly, though, I think we learned a lot through this project, even if we didn't manage to communicate our newly gained knowledge to the rest of the class effectively. Sadly to say, I have no real suggestions on improving the way this was organized, I think it'll do fine for next year.