For our second Field Trip of the year we have been invited to visit a factory that is developing solar panels. Since this device is an integral part of our Greenhouse Project this year, early familiarity with this technology will be advantageous.

What better way is there to start the year than with a walking field trip to acquire the electronic components that we will make good use of? You'll also be aware of its location for your own personal projects.

I have no formal training in electronics or electrical engineering - I'm just really interested in this field. The knowledge and skill I have has been largely acquired over the last few years from learning alongside many talented Georgians and I look forward to expanding my capabilities by working with you this year.

I ask six things of my ACES (for most other things I'm usually flexible):
1. Do not cheat.
2. Show respect for adult visitors that enter the DES by immediately stopping what you are doing, standing and facing the individual(s).
3. Show respect for the lab by not eating in the DES. You may go into the hallway for a quick bite if you need to.
4. Show respect for the lab's resources by not wasting or misusing them.
5. Show respect for others that use the lab by putting your projects away and leaving your bench area tidy when you leave.
6. Show respect for yourself by looking (and speaking) your best. It's the little things keep the doors of opportunity open.

Growing Success, p. 29
Responsibility, Organization, Independent Work, Collaboration, Initiative, Self-Reliant Growing Success. p.11.

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It is worth noting, right from the start, that assessment is a human process, conducted by and with human beings, and subject inevitably to the frailties of human judgment.
However crisp and objective we might try to make it, and however neatly quantifiable may be our "results", assessment is closer to art than science.
It is, after all, an exercise in human communication.

Knowledge: Subject-specific content acquired in each course (knowledge), and the comprehension of its meaning and significance (understanding).

Thinking: The use of critical and creative thinking skills and/or processes, as follows:

• planning skills (e.g., identifying the problem, selecting strategies and resources, scheduling)
• processing skills (e.g., analysing and interpreting information, reasoning, generating and evaluating solutions, forming conclusions)
• critical/creative thinking processes (e.g., problem-solving, design, and decisionmaking processes)

Communication: The conveying of meaning through various forms, as follows:

• oral (e.g., role play, discussion, presentation)
• written (e.g., design briefs, work orders, technical reports)
• visual (e.g., technical drawings, flow charts, graphics)

Application: The use of knowledge and skills to make connections within and between various contexts.