Presentation Day and End of the Apprenticeship Program
Today, we had half a workday to complete our block 3 projects. Since I was presenting today, I had prepared all my projects the day before and started practicing for my presentation yesterday. For my presentation, I decided to show some of my Inkscape projects, some of my Gimp projects, my library research project/final portfolio project, my Krista's projects, and my Dice Statistics Database Demo. Overall, the presentation went well since I could present my work in the 15 minute time slot and my projects were fully functioning.
Presentation Prep
Today, we had an entire workday to complete our block 3 projects. I completed the rest of the database statistics project and uploaded it to the block 3 portion of my website. Also, I made some final changes to my portfolio website based on my plan and checked for quality assurance of each link/project. I finalized which projects I'm going to present tomorrow.
Dice Statistics DB
Today, we had an entire workday to work on our block 3 projects. For my database statistics project, I created each database in Adminer and finished most of the PHP code to connect to the database and store/output each result. Based on my final portfolio project, I added more features to my website and checked for quality assurance.
Library Research
Today, we had an entire workday to work on our block 3 projects. For my library research project, I chose to implement bootstrap into my entire website. Also, I included this into my final portfolio plan. I created a basic website which has working links. However, I'm still going to add additional features to enhance the website's design and U.I.
Introduction to Resume's
Today, we had an entire workday to work on our block 3 projects. We were introduced to a resume project where we had to watch an hour-long video and create a sample resume reflecting our professional experience, awards, etc. I completed the resume today and started inputting my CSS library across my entire portfolio website.
Dice Statistics Prep Pt. 2
Today, during our morning Google Meet, we learned how to store user-inputted data into our database that we connected yesterday. This demonstration was part 2 of our dice statistics prep since we need to use user input in order to store data. The rest of the workday was for any unfinished projects, final portfolio project, and to start our dice statistics part 2 with SQL.
Dice Statistics Prep Pt. 1
Today, during our afternoon Google Meet, we learned how to connect to a database with SQL. This demonstration was part 1 of our dice statistics prep since we need to know how to connect to a database for our dice statistics part 2 model. The rest of the workday was for any unfinished projects, final portfolio project, etc.
Relational Databases Pt. 2
Today, we worked more on relational databases and the rest of the workday was for us to complete any unfinished demos and our final portfolio project. I completed the rest of the syntax guide, which was divided into two parts and started making changes to my portfolio project.
Relational Databases
Today, during our morning Google Meet, we were introduced to relational database. Ernie demonstrated how to create different tables and retreive data by connecting the tables. After the demonstration, we were required to create two tables and input values based on the values in the other tables. The rest of the workday was for us to complete the rest of our syntax guide and our final portfolio project.
Start of Block 3
Today, during our morning Google Meet, we had an introduction to block 3 goals and projects. Before the afternoon meeting, we were required to watch a 40 minute video on an introduction to SQL. Shodor uses a relational database and uses mySQL for managing data. During our afternoon Google Meet, we started the SQL syntax guide and learned how to configure Adminer.
Rendering Krista's Projects
Today, we had an entire workday to finish up our block 2 projects. I spent the day rendering Krista's projects into a working website. My website is fully functional and has a CSS library implemented in the code. I completed the Final Portfolio Project Plan as well. The rendered website uses the same rendering process as our demo.
Dice Statistics Model
Today, we had a brief meeting discussing changes in the block 2 projects. The rest of the day was a workday. I was working on the dice statistics model for most of the day since my model was glitching so I had to spend a long time debugging it with Ernie.
Krista's Project Workday Continued
Today, we had another entire workday to work on our Krista's projects, syntax guide, final portfolio project plan, and other demos from previous days. I completed the adding cookies portion of the Random Hex Code Generator and completed a majority of the dice statistics demo (need to make the data more organized). I completed the corrections for the rendering webpage demo by adding the corrections in Ernie's document as well as adding an HTML hidden element to display the data from the form in the CountDown page.
Krista's Projects Workday
Today, we had an entire workday to work on our Krista's projects, syntax guide, final portfolio project plan, and other demos from previous days. I completed the Random Hex Code Generator project and half of the background selector project(still have to add cookies). For the Random Hex Code Generator, I used the mt_rand function to generate a random number/letter from 0-9 or A-F and concatenated it multiple times to produced the desired 6-digit hex code with a hashtag in the beginning. The background changes color based on the hex code produced. For the background selector project, I created a select-option form which gives three options which the user can select. Once an option is selected, the user can click submit and the background changes colors based on what the user selected. To store the background color when the page gets reloaded, I need to add cookies to store that data.
Start of Week 2 of Block 2
Today, during our Google Meet, we created a rendered website using mostly PHP and some HTML. In this website, there are some PHP files along with HTML files and we created the code so that the compiler could recognize the difference between HTML and PHP files. The rest of the workday was for us to complete more of our projects. I completed one of Krista's projects which was to switch the first letter of the first name and first letter of the last name. Currently, I am working on two other projects by Krista.
Halfway Through Block 2
Today, during our Google Meet, we created a dynamic webpage using PHP and HTML. In this dynamic webpage, there are multiple pages, which can be navigated through using the navbar, and information regarding the website and Shodor. This project was part of Krista's projects. The rest of the workday was for us to complete our other projects, which are due at the end of block 2.
PHP Forms
Today, during our Google Meet, we created forms using three different files, get.php, post.php, and server.php. Using these files, we learned about different methods of collecting data such as the get method and post method. Post method is more secure because in the get method the data inputted by the user goes to the end of the URL, which can be problematic when imputting sensitive or confidential data. The rest of the workday we had to input a form in our Flipping Coins Demo from yesterday and work on the other projects.
PHP Flipping Coins Demo
Today, during our Google Meet, we created a coin flip demo where we used PHP to show how many heads, tails, and total number of coins flipped. Then, the percentage of heads and tails gets calculated individually. We were also introduced to Krista's projects which uses what we learned from the demo to create specific projects. The rest of the day was a workday for us to finish up our Programming Concepts Syntax Guide and start working on Krista's projects.
Programming Concepts Syntax Guide
Today, we had an entire workday to work on our programming concepts syntax guide. Our programming concepts syntax guide consists of two columns, one for JavaScript and one for PHP. In these columns, there are specific functions that we learn and create examples of each function. We have a testing world for JavaScript and a testing world for PHP so we can see the purpose of each function.
Start of Block 2
Today, during our Google Meet, we had a tutorial/review on JavaScript and a tutorial on PHP. Since we used JavaScript on our Bouncing Particles Model in the Spring module, Ernie reviewed JavaScript so we can do the JavaScript portion of our research project. We also had a tutorial on PHP since we haven't used PHP on any of our previous projects. Also, it was the first time we were doing server-side development (through PHP).
End of Block 1
Today, we had another entire workday to finish up our projects. I completed the webpages for all my projects today and finished uploading them to my summer portfolio. These projects consisted of models (AgentCubes Online and Vensim), Web design projects, Gimp projects, and Inkscape projects.
Finished Gimp/Inkscape Projects
Today, we had another entire workday to finish up our projects. I finished my Vensim models and I'm creating webpages for my modeling project and Gimp/Inkscape Projects.
Halfway through Week 2
Today, we had another entire workday to finish up our projects. I've started adding my projects that were completed to my website and made progress with some new projects.
Finished Web Design Tutorial
Today, we had an entire workday to finish up our projects. I finished the entire web design tutorial, finished up some GIMP projects, created some Vensim versions, and started finalizing my Final Portfolio Plan.
Start of The Second week of Block 1
Today, during our Google Meet, Ernie gave us a tutorial on how to use GIMP. In this tutorial, we made a cosmic turtles image using the tools GIMP provides. I've created a few versions of my Vensim model for the modeling project and I started working on the web design tutorial project.
Halfway through Block 1
Today, I finished the entire AgentCubes model for my Restaurant Sales vs. Profits modeling project. I also finished two inkscape projects and saved them as .svg files. I'm working on my individual versions for the Vensim model and will start creating the model soon.
AgentCubes Online for Modeling Project
Today, we continued working on our modeling project, inkscape projects, and other projects. Currently, I am working on the AgentCubes portion of the modeling project and I'm creating versions for each progressive step.
Inkscape Tutorial
Today, during our Google Meet, we did a 7-shape tutorial on Inkscape. We learned about Inkscape's features like layering, shapes, etc. We also continued working on our modeling project. Since I already got the plan proofread by another apprentice and an intern, Ernie proofread my plan and approved it.
Introduction to Gimp and Inkscape
Today, during our Google Meet, we were introduced to 4 different gimp projects. Gimp is a graphics editor used to edit images in various different ways. We also continued working on our modeling project. For my modeling project, I got my plan draft finished and got it proofread by another apprentice and an intern.
First day of Block 1 for the Summer Session
Today, we were introduced to a new project called the modeling project. For this project, I decided to model a restaurants sales vs. profits relationship. In this relationship, each sale leads to an increase in profits, which can either be modeled with linear growth or exponential growth depending on how quickly profits are growing (exponential growth would mean business operations are phenomenal). However, if the amount of expenses is larger than profits obtained, then the restaurant would be in debt. As debt increases, this relationship would either show linear decay or exponential decay. In order to complete this project, certain directions must be followed. These instructions include creating version planning and project planning documents, brainstorming ideas, picking a topic and getting it approved by Ernie, planning each of the models, showing the plan to another apprentice, an intern, and Ernie, crafting each version, and laying out the website to show the models.
LittleFe
Today, we accessed LittleFe and used puTTY to execute parallel commands. I realized that parallel computing can be used to solve big problems in an efficient manner. As a tutorial, we only performed minor tasks but LittleFe can be used to solve major tasks as well.
Models and Simulations
Today, I learned about parallel programming and I analyzed different models based on series and parallelism. Also, this was the first session where we did lessons using videos and google meets due to the remote learning situation.
Group Project 2 Presentation
Today, me and my partner Ben presented the final version of our Ideal Gas Model. Our model and presentation was succesful and we were able to address all the requirements. We gave the presentation through google meets which was different from our first group project where we presented at Shodor's office. However, we were able to adapt to this situation quickly.
Day 2 of Group Project 2
Today, I learned more in-depth HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and how to apply them to our Ideal Gas Law Model.
Day 1 of Group Project 2
Today, I learned how to implement what we learned from the bouncing particles model to use in our Ideal Gas Law model that Ben and I are creating. Also, this was day 1 of the virtual meetings which was done through google hangouts.
Group Project 2 Assignments
Today, I implemented two different versions of the bouncing particles model which is progressing the status of our model. I also completed my February meeting with Ron today. I was able to successfully make a bouncing particles model where the balls can bounce off walls on both the x and y-axis with few obstructions. Also, we were officially assigned our group project 2 groups.
Bouncing Particles Model In-Depth
Today, I learned about different programming concepts more in-depth, implemented two new versions to our model, and took more detailed notes of what we are learning. We have created a step and reset function to help develop our model. Our code is becoming more reusabe which is supposed to happen as you write more lines of code.
Bouncing Particles Model Introduction
Today, I learned different programming concepts and how to apply them to a real world bouncing particles model. Some of the elements of code I used were variables, functions, debugging, etc. We also created a plan to organize the different versions of our model and made sure to test each version before progressing to the next stage of the model.
Presentation Day!
Today, me and my partner made finishing touches to our project and made sure there were no errors in our models. Originally, we were getting overflow errors regarding our Vensim model but Aaron helped us resolve this issue by putting limits on our rates. We finished all the required tasks for our project in a timely manner and we were able to give a successful presentation.
Make-up work at home
Since I wasn't able to attend this day's session, I made up the required work at home. Since me and my partner have to give a presentation on December 21st, we made sure that all the required work was to be completed at home. At home, I worked on the Vensim model for our Sharks-Minnows idea and implemented factors such as birth rate, death rate, etc.
Day 1 of Group Project 1
Today, me and my partner created an AgentCubesOnline model for our project. We have completed 3/4 of our storyline which includes implementing the sharks, minnows, and birth fraction. We are planning to implement krill as the minnows prey.
Group Project 1 Assignments
Today, I learned how to create a healthy-sick model using Vensim. We were assigned our project groups and we decided on a project we were going to create. Me and my partner decided to create a sharks and minnows model and we implemented a storyline. OUr model will include birth fraction, predator, prey, etc.
Vensim in Depth
Today, I learned more advanced functions of VensimPLE. Aaron taught us the purpose and how to use more complicated functions such as levels, variables, equations, rates, arrows, and graphs. Also, we learned how to model real-world scenarios through VensimPLE. For instance, we created a model of the Durham Population and the decay of Francium-252. Throughout this process, Aaron was teaching us different formulas and how to use them such as the Birth rate formula which is used for the Rabbits model. We were also taught limits which is supposed to help us graph the functions.
Modeling with Excel
Today, I learned how to create models and simulations using Microsoft Excel and VensimPLE. I created a simple population model through Excel and learned the functions of Excel modeling. Also, I created a VensimPLE model with rabbits and competition. I learned different functions of VensimPLE including variables, equations, etc.
Computer Trickery
Today, I learned how computers compute the same problem and get different answers. This has to do with the software used, how the information is inputted, and the precision that is given. Dr. Panoff showed us various examples where the same problem has a different answer when you use Microsoft Excel vs. Google Sheets. He showed us more card tricks using application of mathematical concepts such as different algorithms and formulas that work with the given card trick.
Conventional vs Unconventional
Today, I learned the difference between conventional methods and unconventional methods of solving problems. Dr.Panoff gave us a lecture on mathematical concepts and how to apply the unconventional vs. conventional approach to solving. For example, solving 3+2*6 left to right is unconventional, while solving 3+2*6 using order of operations is conventional. He also showed us card tricks using the application of these mathematical concepts.
Day 1 Intro
Today, was the start of the Shodor Apprenticeship Program. Ernie gave a lecture on the expectations, policies, and dress code that all apprentices are required to follow. Dr. Panoff also gave a lecture on skills that we were expected to learn through demonstrations of problems that involved computation. Using our shodor credentials, we set up cyberduck so we can upload our files to Shodor's server and have our own webpages and files.