My time at Science and Global Change (SGC) has been a unique experience filled with challenges, growth, and learning moments that are good to carry over throughout college. When I was accepted to the University of Maryland, I became excited to be typical of the scholar's program as well. I initially chose to be a part of the science and technology program because it has the most relationship to my major, computer science. However, I was not opposed to joining the Science and Global Change Program, because I had deep interest in the environment and the ways on how to preserve the environment. This passion stems from my early life, where my interest in nature and technological knowledge in climate change and sustainability was first awakened. I used to make sure all the lights were off when someone left the room, make sure everything that could possibly be recycled get recycled, and lastly I would always make sure the water from the sink isn’t dripping.
Because computer science is important, the relationship between my field and broader themes of global change has become increasingly apparent during my time at SGC. The future of the world is both in technology and learning about the environment combined with technology can play a key role in addressing international challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss and sustainable improvement. For example, improvements in fact analysis, device knowledge acquisition, and synthetic intelligence are actually utilized to display environment modifications, anticipate weather styles, and extend revolutionary responses to renewable power. This was one of my main interests when I joined the SGC program.
Throughout my time in the program, I found the coursework and lectures noticeably engaging and thought-provoking. This is largely due Dr. Merck and Dr. Holtz’s teaching style. They have an engaging teaching style that allows for the student to really resonate with what they are teaching. One of the most instructive aspects of this system was the emphasis on expertise and the interconnectedness of global systems. The global alternative concept does not include the most effective ecological shifts together with weather trade and sea-level rise pressure, but additionally the socio-monetary and cultural dynamics that affect these phenomena. For example, we explored how advances in manufacturing and scientific research can drive a viable alternative, but also how accidental outcomes, including e-waste and the carbon footprint of actual devices, need to be carefully managed. Through these discussions, I gained a more comprehensive understanding of how technological knowledge, era, and coverage must work collectively to achieve meaningful development. We also read books at home and used these books to respond to discussions weekly about the environment. The books were “Don't Believe Everything You Think: The 6 Basic Mistakes We Make in Thinking", “The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark. Random House”, and “The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History. Picador.” Now, my experience with the SGC program has enhanced my scientific knowledge even further but also changed my perspective on how our actions affect the world outside of our local community.
The field trip I enjoyed the most was the field trip to the American Museum of Natural History in New York. This was one of the four field trips that were offered to the SGC students but I decided to go on this one to explore its world-renowned exhibits and provide a deeper understanding of the herbal sciences. The visit began in the Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda, where we were greeted with an awe-inspiring barosaurus skeleton, a dramatic introduction to the museum's extensive series of prehistoric wonders. This set the tone for an afternoon of discovery and learning.
We visited the Hall of Dinosaurs, home to an extensive collection of fossils along with a towering Tyrannosaurus Rex and Triceratops. Familiar displays highlighted the processes paleontologists use to reconstruct ancient life, making every academic enjoy and engage. Dr. Merck gave us insight into specific creatures we saw there and told us their importance in the ecosystem. From there, we moved on to the Hall of Human Origins, where we explored the fascinating story of human evolution through concrete displays of hominid skeletons and artifacts. Dioramas depicting early human lifestyles provided an immersive insight into the challenging situations our ancestors faced.