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My goal is to Investigate how aerodynamics helps boost the fuel economy, then design
and create a booklet to share my findings. My goal is challenging, as I have to challenge myself
and learn new concepts that Ive never learned before, but also creating my product through
an unfamiliar software. My global context is Scientific and Technological Innovation 1. It relates
to my personal interests, which are engineering, physics as well as automobiles. Aerodynamics
plays an important role in automobiles, its an indispensable element that every single
automobile should have.
For my product, I will make a detailed overview on Aerodynamics, explaining the factors
and how it helps solves the problem of people being increasingly aware of the fuel economy
issues. The target audience will primarily be people that drive their cars very often and people
that are interested or works in the automotive industry.
Concerning prior learning related to my project, I had previously looked at books and
articles about Aerodynamics, which I found very interesting What Are Wheel Spats, And
Why Don't We Use Them Anymore? (Fernie, 2016). I had also been constantly following up
with automotive news, and Aerodynamics are often mentioned in every single article or
review, as its a fundamental aspect of the automotive industry. This prior learning was highly
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Outside of school, I already had subject specific knowledge about the physics behind
Aerodynamics, which includes: Air flow, Drag and Upthrust from my Physics tutor, which is
beneficial to my project. Even so, I still need to gather more knowledge and understanding
about more complicated concepts of factors that can affect Aerodynamics, the changes that
could be made and how it relates the fuel economy.
I will have to start from the beginning for research, meaning that the process will take a
long period of time.
3 - Research Skills
I also used a broad range of research skills to investigate, plan, and take action on my
project. Concerning information literacy skills, I found information in different media to learn
about the fundamentals of Aerodynamics. For example, I used Car Aerodynamics Basics and
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Concerning media literacy skills, I evaluated and selected key research sources based on
their appropriateness to my project. For example, Ive identified my tutors specific point of
view towards how Aerodynamics affects and has an impact on a vehicles fuel economy when
I interviewed8 him. When he talked about the reasons behind this concept, Ive noted now
various notes and highlighted specific major areas to refer to later on.9 After the interview I
thought that it wasnt really beneficial to my project, worrying about whether I've wasted my
time or not. However, I started to question the preciousness of this piece of information, I
realised that not only its a treasure for collecting information from different real perspectives
rather than internets, and he provided detailed information through accessible languages.
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1 - Product Criteria
To establish these expectations, I had to consider the purpose and effectiveness of each
category, allowing me to understand the importance of not only setting up clear objectives but
also modify the criteria to best effectively presenting information to my target audiences.
I will analyse and reflect on my product in Criteria D using the criteria to evaluate
whether my goal has been addressed clearly or not.
The action plan is a must in completing a long-term task, especially when there are
various works that have to be completed in different due dates. Creating an action plan 12
allows me to monitor my working progress and I used it as a reminder of my time frame.
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Recording down the development of achieving my goal are necessary, Ive created a note
recording document that I will insert and record information or actions that Ive done on a 2-3
day basis, similar to a process journal but not only does it record the development of my
progress, but also contains research information as well as investigations.
There was once that I wasnt able to complete my final product on time because Ive
spent more time on revision for upcoming assessments, therefore I had to adjust my action
plan and postpone the deadline a few days later to make sure that I have sufficient amount of
time to both revise and complete my task.
3 - Self-Management Skills
I practised effective time and task management to plan and complete my project.
Concerning organisation skills, I organised an action plan for long-term goals13, allowing me to
manage and complete the task of creating a booklet to share my findings on how
aerodynamics helps boost the fuel economy. This tactic of breaking down long-term goals
into a set of smaller targets has made my process far more smooth and the job extremely
manageable, as I have made some room for adjustments. I also prioritised task according to
their urgency and importance. Overall I think that I could have made more mindful choices
like this throughout the duration of the project in order to achieve better balance in academics
and relaxation.
Concerning effective skills, I made informed choices on behaviours and course of actions
when I realised that my booklets design doesnt really quite fit my intentions and my product
criteria. I was eager to remake my whole design to ensure that my final product looks more
13 Refer to Extract 4
To respond to my goal and research question, Ive produced a booklet to introduce and
explain concepts of Aerodynamics and also informing the audiences how Aerodynamics can
help improve fuel economy. I have to use appropriate design/illustration software to create
this booklet. I explored various software such as Adobe Illustrator, Pages, Microsoft Word etc.
Ive chosen to use Adobe Illustrator as it was one of the best software that provides
professional tools but a simple and comfortable interface. Also, this software allows me to
combine and edit several templates into one, with many unique tools for formatting and
designing. It was challenging but exciting at the same time when creating the product, as it
was my first time using this software. To show that my product has successfully addressed my
goal, Ive shared this booklet with others that are not familiar with this topic and asked them
some questions on this topic later on. Many of them were able to answer the questions
confidently, and this has shown that my product has addressed the goal.
To address the global context (Scientific and Technological Innovation), I explained the
technological developments in aerodynamics and how theyve helped improve fuel economy.
Specifically, Ive explored the products (existing cars), processes (background investigations)
and solutions (improvements). For example, I researched that how different Aerodynamic
principles have an effect on fuel economy and how can they be improved. (e.g. Downforce, are
a force that pushes the tires onto the ground surface to provide more grip; can be improved by
adding a Spoilers and Diffusers.) From this information, I was able to explain how the
developments in the automotive industry have enriched our knowledge of these principles
and as a result being able to improve the fuel economy of a vehicle.
Using the Adobe Illustrator, I managed to create a booklet that shares and introduces
essential information of Aerodynamics but also informs the audiences on how Aerodynamics
can help solve the problem of fuel economy in vehicles nowadays.
2 - Thinking Skills
In order to take action on my project, I had to use thinking skills to brainstorm ideas,
organise information, construct plans, and solve problems. When completing my research14,
Ive developed my critical thinking and problem-solving skills while identifying the reliability
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When making my product, I transferred skills learned into unfamiliar situations. For
example, when creating the booklet, I wasnt familiar how the interface of the application
works and also a lot of the tools were so complicated to use 15. To overcome this challenge, Ive
gone online and searched for some tutorial videos on how to use Adobe Illustrator, and have
certainly made my process much more efficient and smooth.
Concerning creative thinking skills, I had to think of ways to present my ideas and
information in a logical but creative sense in my product, since the concept of Aerodynamics is
pretty complicated and there werent any existing products that I could make reference to. I
persisted in finding a way until I was able to narrow down my ideas and created what I had in
mind, by consistently thinking of possibilities and asking myself what if questions.
In the creation of the product, I demonstrated social skills by discussing with my art
teacher about the limitations of my design and the overall structure of the product. We
discussed how my original design was not so attractive and well designed, as I didnt know
how to use Adobe Illustrator at first and I havent made my design specifications detailed
enough. Also, we talked about how I could modify my booklets design in order to give the
audience a fresh impression and attracts them to read. Furthermore, I also demonstrated social
skills by interviewing and talking about the topic with my tutor. I discussed with him about
the fundamentals of Aerodynamics, and he introduced me to some new concepts that enables
me to be capable of completing the final product much more confidently. Additionally, I also
asked him a few question on how Aerodynamics help boost a cars fuel economy, specifically I
asked him What exactly helps a car to minimise its friction in order to improve its fuel
economy?16. By using his understanding towards the topic, I was able to input essence
information into my product.
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However, there were some criteria that I havent achieved22, most of which relates to the
Function/Purpose of my product, reflecting that I have not considered the perspective of my
target audience during the creation process. Furthermore, some of them could not understand
the terminologies that Ive used in my product to explain the relationship between
Aerodynamics and how it affects a vehicles fuel economy unless they had some prior
knowledge regarding Aerodynamics.
This area could be improved by creating another survey before the creation process to
evaluate my audiences (people with no understanding regarding Aerodynamics) level of
understanding on concepts of Aerodynamics and fuel economy. According to the results, I
would be able to prepare adequate background information and use suitable wordings to
present the information. Also using existing products that serve a similar purpose this as a
reference, I could create a simpler but engaging product so my audience would better
understand it, by taking notes on their choice of wordings.
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As an IB learner, I felt that Ive developed various learner profiles of the MYP program
doing this project. During this project, I have developed as an inquirer. I used to research
information straight from Google, and just use the first few sources from the results without
even analysing them. As a result of this project, now I learned to develop research questions
regarding my curiosity and learned to use a variety of sources from both primary and
secondary, but at the same time analysing each of the information collecting using OPVL23.
From the experience of this project, now I understand as an independent learner how to
investigate with enthusiasm and maintain a curious learning life.
While creating the product, I have developed as a balanced individual. Throughout the
journey of this project, I have experienced various stressful moments. For example, when I
found out that my product doesnt fit out of the criteria after spending around many hours of
hard work, instead of panicking I decided to evaluate this error later on and asked peers for
possible improvements. Furthermore, numerous hours have been spent in creating this
product, and most of the work must be done on a computer. Rather than focusing on the
computer screen for such a long period of time, I decided to plan time slots for going out for a
run to help relief stress and to basically relax. As a result, I am now able to understand the
emotional and physical aspect of my life through the creation of my product.
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The entire process of the personal project was an opportunity for me to reflect on my IB
learning as I had to be a curious inquirer to extend my knowledge, engaging my creative
thinking in developing new ideas and adopting skills such as transferring research to respond
to my goal fully. Furthermore, this project allowed me to continue to build up my
understanding of the importance of the intellectual aspect of our lives.
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Extract 1: