Reflections for day 2 by rachel, felina, eugenia, ferozia and samyata

Today it was, surprisingly extremely hot. For breakfast we had cereal, baked beans, sausages, hash browns and toast. Then as usual we packed our own lunches. The chef handed us some ingredients to make the sandwiches. After breakfast we headed over to the classroom and had briefing on what we were going to do and also learnt basic information regarding the woodlands. Than we got into the crowded bus and headed over to the woodlands to analyse the soil temperature, the humidity, the speed of the wind and other micro climatic factors. We also looked into how the different micro climatic factors affected the manner in which the fauna on the ground level grew. We took readings at two different sites. One of the sites was cut down in 2008 and the other was cut down in 1998. Both sites had extremely different micro climatic factors. Due to the differences in the micro climatic factors the fauna growing on the ground level were different. The variations were due to the different micro climatic factors. In the process of we managed to learn about the different equipment and how to use them we also got to see different types of flowers and grasses such as bluebells, common moss, speedwell etc. etc. In between we also had a picnic. We also took many pictures. Right now we are having another break. There is hot chocolate and chocolate fudge cake.We will be going back to class in another 20 minute to analyse the data we gathered and the soil as well as the soil samples so that we will be able to further understand how the different factors affect the type of fauna growing as well as its distribution. We will probably have to present the information in tables and charts.

Today was extremely fun and it was an eye-opening experience as I have never even seen so many different flowers and grasses. I am sure we have this many grasses, flowers and shrubs in Singapore but I am sure no one will ever go through each one of them with me. Plus I am sure I will never got to handle such equipment.

We learned a lot about methodology as well today. Methodology is basically a PROCESS. We have to record the apparatus used, the steps we took, the reason why we took the steps (justification) and the improvements make to the test we did (modifications). So we recorded what we did etc. etc. after the end of the experiment and analyzed our actions so as to gain better understanding.