Self Reflection

(1) How do you think you are doing so far in your senior project and why? AE, P, AP, CR, or NC

• I think I deserve a really high P almost AE. I have been on top of my stuff and haven't been late or missed any research checks. I think that I have definately learned a lot of stuff about the dance therapy profecion itself. I also have been going to my service learning eventhought is NO WHERE NEAR where I live, La Verne, I go all the way to Pasadena. This past Saturday I helped with one of the Christmas performances. I honestly feel that with my service learning and independent component, ballet class, I've learned and applied many things that I had previously learned from my research checks.

(2) What one thing do you think you have done well on and why?

• I think one thing i've done well on is my research checks. I like to research because I always find new stuff that helps me with what I'm doing now with service learning or any of the dance classes. I think that having us margin note and reading from different sources gives us a wide range of new information we could come upon.

(3) What is one thing you would like to improve on and why?

• I would like to inprove on my science experiment. I need to focus on it a little bit more. I plan on working on it winter break, or atleast trying to fix it and making sure I am a little bit more specific on what I'm doing.

Science Fair Proposal

Science Proposal

For my science experiment I'm building a fake limb in order to demonstrate the tension caused by different dance moves on your bones.

1. What is your hypothesis?

  Certain dance steps cause more tension on your legs, therefore making you prone to future injuries.  

2. Identify the dependent (produced), independent (manipulated) and control variables in your hypothesis.

   Dependent: tension caused(N) Controlled:dance move's angles (θ)  Independent: same leg

3.My EQ is " What is the most important skill of a successful dance/movement therapist? ". The connection between my science project and my EQ is obviously the knowledge of movement and how it affects our body; muscles, tendons, joints, etc. Dance therapist need to have knowledge of all this physiology and anatomy to make sure they aren't hurting their patients or causing them any injuries.

4. How will you perform the experiment?  Include the equipment you plan on using.

I will build a fake limb. I'm going to build it and probably use materials that simulate the different tissues in our own body. For materials i had thought of using PVC pipes, strings/rubberbands, sponges, wood, etc. To test the different weak spots of your leg I would probably imitate dance steps and since my limb is going to be built and act like a functioning leg hopefully its able to show how that dance step strains your bones/muscles.

5. Which category will your project be listed under?  Physics

What I've Learned So Far

Research Reflection

1) Since I've started working on my senior project I've learned that flexibility is really important, physically and mentally speaking. Flexibility adds on to many things such as posture, which is as well very important. As a dance therapist being flexible with the clients you treat and studying their posture is a very important into knowing what type of dance/movement is necessary to take them into a healing path. Not to mention how important it is for them to maintain their physical flexibility thus preventing them from future injuries.

2) Since senior project started my independent component has been very important because now I'm more flexible and I have better dance expression when I perform.

3) What research helped you to do this and how?

One of my most important sources would be my first interview, Mrs Kennedy, because she told me about getting a ballet class and from there I have learned so much about posture, I've also increased my flexibility, and many other techniques.

Another piece of research that helped me a lot was Dr. Hamilton's article "How the Body Dances?" because it talks about the different techniques and the science behind them, why they help and how you can improve yourself.
The last piece of researched that I also think was helpful was this video about the UCLA's Dance Therapy Program, http://youtu.be/O4KkQkv3vKk , This explains what the therapist does in one session and what they look for and the goals they set for the child's health.

Independent Component 1 Plan Approval

 

(1) For my independent study component I'm planning on taking dance classes. 

 

(2) I'm planning to meet the 30 hours of work requirement by taking a ballet class every Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:30pm and practicing at home under my mothers supervision(to make sure I do the moves correctly) three days a week for one hour. I've been taking the ballet class for a month now; with the studio hours and practice hours I will meet my 30 hour requirement precisely. 

(3) In my EQ I'm trying to find out what is most essential on becoming a dance therapy, how ever I think I want to change my EQ into " What is the most essential skill needed to become a successful dance/movement therapist?". I will have to talk to Mrs. Ortega about this but either way I think ballet is a good way to make sure I have the dance skills because dance is something that both of my questions focus on.

Defining Essential Question

EQ Draft #1

(1) EQ:What is the most important skill of a successful dance/movement therapist?
(2) skill: a particular ability; expertese.
     successful: to be able to help the patients and make them grow with each therapy.
(3) Some possible answers are:

• Previous dance experience
• patience
• understanding of many disorders
• having a background in psychology
• understanding the body and it's movement 

(4) My most important source has been Mrs.Barbara Ligeti, she's a dance therapist, she's told me about many of the children they work with and she's contacted me with my service learner.

Second Interview Questions

  Second Interview (Service Learning) Questions Approval

• How has Movement Therapy been beneficial to the autistic kids?
• How long have you been working in this field of therapy?
• What lead you into this field, and what steps did you have to take?
• What is the most challenging thing about this profession?
• When was the AMT(autism movement therapy) founded? 
• Do you guys treat kids with other disorders ?
• What dance techniques are the most essential as a Dance/Movement Therapist?

Presentation Reflection

  Interview 1 & Presentation 1

1.The first interview affected my presentation in a major way because that was one of the main things I talked about. I started off saying how the answer to my service learning question was really what triggered me to start my service learning at a studio with a ballet class.
2.I think what stood out about my presentation and performance was my information and that I talked about my project and how I will apply this information later on in the project.
3. The most challenging thing to do was manage the information that I was going to say because it was a short amount of time. Also we wouldn't be able to use it in our two hour presentation so I had to be clear and have a short but concise 5minute presentation.

Senior Project Presentation 1

 5 Minute Presentation Rough Draft

Objective: To make sure my peers understand the meaning of the art of dance, the evolution of it, and the meaning of my poster.  
 
 Procedure:

1. Introduction:  I will ask my piers to give me various names of the styles and forms of dance that they are familiar to.

2. Body of your speech:

·         Give the meaning of dance

·         Explain why I choose dance as my senior topic

·         Talk about the style and forms, and how they formed

·         How can dance help you personally 

·         A statement from my first interview that triggered my essential question    

Check for understanding: Conclude and Explain my visual with the participation of audience.

                                                            
Resources/Materials: I will be taking a poster that highlights the different dance styles and forms.

                   Also a poster with the definition of dance written on it. 

                   Costumes from different dance styles.

Interview Check

• For my first interview I will be interviewing Mrs. Jennifer Kennedy. She is the Don Lugo High School's dance instructor for about 35 years. I'm interviewing her because some of my friends from that school love her as a person and teacher and they recommended her. I also know that she has successfully guided the high schools dance team into winning competitions so I'm looking forward to learning some of her knowledge.    

• Some additional questions that I would want to ask Mrs. Kennedy would be:

  • How important is technique and aesthetics as a dancer?

  • What is something that you have learned through out the years about dancers?

Senior Topic

• My senior project topic is Dancers and more specifically dancers technique and aesthetic. 

• I choose this topic because I personally enjoy dancing a variety of styles. Each and everyone is different but you use many of the same qualities while performing. I'm currently a member of  iPoly's dance team and one thing that I like about it is that we don't only focus on one style. Dance has always been a fun way for me to stay active and healthy and that is why I love it so much.

• After studying my topic all  year I hope to become a better dancer myself. I would like to physically be able to do more stunts, clean up my moves, and have immaculate performances. I would also like to acquire more confidence and be able to have fun as well. Not only that but after i find out more about my topic I hope I'm able to help others who are trying to become or succeed as dancers.