Earth, Life, and Time has been a very unique experience for my college life. Through the various activities that were offered to us by the wonderful Dr. Holtz and Dr. Merck, I was able to absorb much knowledge and gain lots of understanding on different matters. This was excellent because this knowledge was not only useful for the colloquium, but actually extended to other classes as well. Although I was one of the few students that did not live in Centreville, I still felt very much part of the “family,” so to speak. Meeting once a week for three semesters has made the transition to college extremely comforting because it was nice to know that you would see the same, friendly faces on a regular basis. I have no regrets in taking Earth, Life, and Time as it has given me many opportunities, allowing me to be active in volunteer work and academic study. I am fully confident that this program has benefited my life for the better as I feel I have gained very valuable experience on how to approach science and handle science practically (i.e. in the media). I feel that joining Earth, Life, and Time was one of the best academic decisions I have made in college so far. Earth, Life, and Time was unique in that its lectures structured around the very concept of science and how it is handled in society. To be perfectly frank, I have never even thought of that concept. To me, science was always unflappably rigid. It was concrete and absolute in every shape and form. It really had never occurred to me that the media could misconstrue facts and figures, merely to provide a headline for their articles. It might just be that I am very naïve. But that’s another issue. The media report in the third semester was a huge success for me, because every student really had the chance to see for themselves how stories are not always what the research intended. It was a real eye opener for me personally; I should be more cautious when accepting new pieces of evidence and information. Earth, Life, and Time, I feel, had a purpose to challenge the students to think differently and open their minds to new realms of thinking, perhaps some that have never crossed their minds. In that regard, the program has most certainly succeeded. I leave the program with a more cautious view of the world, aware that things can be misconstrued and that I should keep in mind the teachings of the scientific method (something that has been lovingly drilled into our heads). The program also was unique in that it was at a very personal level, allowing the students to explore science with the teachers. I think that the lectures (such as “Raw Animal Sexuality” in the second semester) were able to capture the student’s attention, even those who were not science majors, which is a very important note. I know several people in Earth, Life, and Time who love the program who are not even science majors. This is a great accomplishment because the program is able to successfully entertain and infuse knowledge to students interested in a different career path. To do this, Dr. Holtz and Dr. Merck used novel ways of teaching. They employed card games to explain genetics and the Mr. Potato Head dolls to explain cladograms. These small things are the ones that I will remember the most. The field trips were incredible for the students I believe. These trips allowed the students a break from the norm of classrooms and books, and took learning to another level. We were able to go to a variety of places and truly apply what we learned to good use. For example, in my first semester we journeyed to West Virginia, and at one point, literally stopped by the side of a highway to search for fossils. I thought that was one of the most interesting field trips I have ever been on just because of how real it was. It wasn’t the structured norm of a museum or anything like that; we were literally on the side of the highway, cars racing by us at 60 -70 miles per hour, while we nonchalantly flipped over rocks, hoping that we would see a backbone. The projects that were assigned to us were all very appropriate for the class. I think the family history project was one of the best projects. It allowed me to learn more about my family history, which in turn made me speak with old family members that I had not spoken to in a long while. The project actually helped me come closer with family and helped me learn more about myself in the process. This was a type of project that was very fun for everyone, which is one that would most likely not be offered in any other class. The curriculum of Earth, Life, and Time is one to be praised as well. It encouraged students to take classes that brought diversity to our schedules. I know some students did not like the additional workload, but I always felt the message behind the curriculum was right. I feel the point of college is to explore as much as you can before you continue on your career path. So, in that regard, Earth, Life, and Time has provided a list of classes to choose from. Each of those classes brings a new dynamic to our very career based schedules. That mix is essential in order to provide new perspectives on different topics. Earth, Life, and Time really motivated us to take more classes to broaden our perspective, so that we could gain more experience. The more perspectives and viewpoints we collected through the myriad of classes we took, the better! What I strongly admire about this program is that it encourages us to be ACTIVE in the community. Extra credit for volunteer services and the practicum project are a few examples. Earth, Life, and Time kept us grounded as well because it reminded us that no matter how smart we are, no one will know about it unless we actually go out and participate! The extra credit was an additional reward for being active in the community and for lending a hand to those who need it. The practicum project encouraged career path choices and presented us with the challenge of finding an internship or a place to work in order to fulfill their requirements. Overall, my scholars experience has indefinitely prepared me for my future. It provided a very warm environment for me to learn, grow, and prosper through the various activities that were presented to me. I gained a new understanding of the importance of community work. It has also made me more patient in the sense that I take more time to gather an opinion on a subject. And of course, the dynamic duo of Dr. Holtz and Dr. Merck laid the foundation for all of these great things. They are two of the most caring and energetic people I have ever met. It made me want to go to every lecture and sometimes I would wish that we could meet more than once a week, because I honestly loved going to class. I looked forward to it each and every single week (which is something I can’t say about every class I take!) I am so happy I made the choice to become a part of the Earth, Life, and Time family because it has done so much for me. I will never forget this experience and will carry the traditions of Earth, Life, and Time with me throughout my career as well as my life.