1. 
I feel like this process is a bit calming and does force me to be more focused on the environment. However, I don’t think I am more observant than usual. It might because it was a nice day and I usually pay a lot more attention when the weather is good. I feel like I wouldn’t enjoy this as much if the weather was bad. I think one way I can improve the practice would be to maybe close my eyes and really concentrate on my other senses.
2.
1) The repair, or rather the preservation was quite successful and I am pretty happy with what I got.
2) After the preservation I don’t think it looks more interesting in anyway, except maybe under strong light the surface appears to be more reflective. However, what I know is that the drawings I added the fixative on will no longer be smudged further and will continue to look the way they are for a long time.
3) The object is definitely much more resilient than before as it had no protective layer before.
4) I would say yes, the materials I used are always available in the kitchen and just by sacrificing a minute amount of each I can create copious amount of fixatives that can be used for a long time. Fixatives involve numerous systems from factories to waste management while the natural one I made uses things that are already in the household.
5) I actually went through about 3 experiments. Every time I tried out different viscosity by using different ratios. Finding that right balance was the most challenging aspect. I learned that small amounts of cornstarch is enough to create a thick mixture.
6) I think I could’ve made a spray by having more milk, but I just didn’t have a spray bottle at the time so I went for this brush method instead.
7) I really do think repair and preservation is a valuable skill. Being able to do these things with sustainable methods can be truly useful. Currently I don’t have anything that I think I need to repair, but if there is I can explore different methods.
8) I really did enjoy doing this for the fourth graders. It really helps me reflect on me when I was a fourth grader and what would have been beneficial for me if I knew what I know now. The most challenging part would be to make the posters catered to children. I had to simplify my language as much as I can so that it will be much easier for them to understand. From the experience I feel like everything should be cleaner as I don’t want to overwhelm the young mind with complex visual structures.
