Process Journal 11 - Supervisor Meeting 1

Today I met with Mr. Chamberlain for my first supervisor meeting. We primarily discussed what resources I can use outside of online or text research, such as scientists that have conducted research on kombucha, and the local Pure Soda Works for help with the carbonation process. Additionally, we discussed possible ways my mentor can assist in the process, and how I can obtain other mentors from the local community.

Process Journal 10 - Reassessing My Project

As I progress through the MYP Criterion, I once again am reassessing my project. In order to better compare the two projects, I've created a pros and cons table for each.

Kombucha
Pros

• Low cost
• Low time commitment
• Personally interesting

Cons

• Questionable relevance to MYP guidelines
• Questionable number of available resources
• Lacks clear focus on individual components of project (research vs actual brewing)

Computer

Pros

• Low time commitment
• Fits very well within MYP guidelines
• Ample resources available
• Clearly focused outcome

Cons

• High cost
• Moderate time commitment
• Questionable interest

I intend on discussing these concerns with my supervisor when I meet with him. In particular, I need to weigh my interest and funds against a well-developed, substantial project. If needed, I may work out accommodations to enable the computer project in order to minimize monetary involvement. In any case, I need to have a clear, definite plan in the coming months to keep from falling behind. 

Process Journal 9 - Mentorship

Mentorship

In a complicated process such as this one, it's important to have a mentor that can help you through it. My brother, having brewed kombucha for nearly two years now and being the first to introduce me to kombucha, has agreed to be my 'mentor' in my personal project. I can turn to him for help, advice, or other information should I need it.

Process Journal 8 - Defining Project Criteria

Criteria

In order to complete this project within the MYP guidelines, I must put forth a set of criteria.

My criteria is as follows:

1. Videos will document me completing the brewing process
2. The videos will be uploaded to YouTube
3. This blog will serve as my research documentation
4. The chemical processes will be detailed in a video
5. The claimed health effects will be detailed in a video
6. The final product will be brewed kombucha that will be shared with the class
7. The kombucha will be carbonated
8. The kombucha will be flavoured

Process Journal 7 - Preliminary Resources (The Redux)

Preliminary Resources

1. Source 1 - Kombucha Brooklyn
2. Source 2 - r/Kombucha
3. Source 3 - NPR Article

MLA Citations

[Document Link]


1) Source 1 Analysis

Kombucha Brooklyn is an online resource dedicated to the home-brewing of kombucha. Not only does this website provide extensive information on kombucha and the brewing process, it also sells the necessary supplies for brewing. The specific resource linked in the citation is titled "How to Brew" and provides detailed explanation alongside videos showing the process and how to complete it. This will be an invaluable resource for learning the basics of the brewing process.


2) Source 2 Analysis

r/Kombucha is sub-forum of the online community website Reddit. While community forums are often lambasted as untrustworthy and having questionable credibility, users of r/Kombucha may be able to provide help when something goes awry. Useful links are also shared within the community, serving also as something of a database. That being said, it's advisable to only use this as fall-back should other, more reliable sources fail to give the necessary information. In any case, r/Kombucha also has an FAQ and other online resources linked within the page.


3) Source 3 Analysis

"Kombucha: Magical Elixir or Just Funky Tea?" is an article by National Public Radio. It contests the claims by many that kombucha has a variety of seemingly 'miracle' health affects. NPR being a large, trusted source of news and information, this is a reliable first step to researching the health benefits of drinking kombucha.

Process Journal 6 - Global Context (The Redux)

Global Context

For my Personal Project, I have chosen the following Global Context.

1) Scientific and Technical Innovation

"Students will explore the natural world and its laws; the interaction between people and the natural world; how humans use their understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances on communities and environments; the impact of environments on human activity; how humans adapt environments to their needs."

This context applies to the concept of the chemical processes within the kombucha as it brews: in our world, everything undergoes some sort of process to become the product we use, especially food. This also explores how we and our biology interacts with the world around us.

Process Journal 5 - Introduction (The Redux)

Welcome to my 2015 Personal Project!

Goal

For this assignment, I've chosen to brew kombucha. What is kombucha? Kombucha is a fermented tea drink, produced through a complicated brewing process. It is claimed by some to have a variety of health benefits due to the presence of probiotics in the drink. Often times, the tea is also carbonated a flavored.

Throughout the project, I will research several concepts:

• How to complete the brewing process
• Brewing the tea
• Adding the komucha cultures
• Fermenting the tea
• Carbonating and flavoring the tea
• The chemical processes of the brewing itself
• The purported health benefits of the drink

I will document this process through this blog as well as with videos.

These entries, along with others that document my process, will make up my process journals.

The final product will be a summary video along with the actual product of the brewed kombucha.

Process Journal 4 - Changing My Project

After some consideration, I've decided to change my Personal Project. Time and monetary constraints, as well as declining interest in my original project pushed me to begin on a different path.

Instead, I'll be doing my project on kombucha. Kombucha is a fermented tea drink that my brother began brewing himself two years ago - I've always wanted to learn the process for myself, so this will be a great opportunity to complete both at one time.

The amount of homework I've had has inhibited any real progress up until this point. Hopefully, I can get back on track over November.