The Topic: Over the last three semesters, we have examined the Science of Nature and the Nature of Science. Specifically, we've looked at how we use the foundations of scientific practice to explore the evidence, causes, and implications of past and present global change, and examine the use of scientific knowledge and communication when making decisions for the future. Ultimately, we aim for the program to help students plan for resilience in a future of global change.
How has your experience as a Science & Global Change Scholar helped in that understanding (compared to what you have received if you were not in SGC)?
Choose and discuss at least two (2) of the following:
I can definitely say that I have encountered failures of critical thinking and seen various logical fallacies displayed during my years as a college student so far. There have been many downs from bad test grades to simply losing relationships with people that I cared about. One logical fallacy that comes to my mind is blind loyalty which is when a statement is correct or true just because someone of a reliable source or power has said it is true. Sometimes in some of my technical courses, a professor will be explaining something and many of my colleagues don’t believe it to be true but we mainly never question the professor because of their status at the university. I believe that this is a bad thing to do and I am trying to ask more questions because as a teacher, that is one of their main responsibilities; to answer our questions. I’ve also been aware of failure because of my lack of study in certain classes. I tend to prioritze some classes over others and I am working towards balancing my classes and equaling my studying time between them.
Over the last three semesters, I have learned a good deal about information that helped me choose and connect to my major which is now mechanical engineering. I don’t believe that we have covered a whole lot of information that relates to mechanical engineering but there have been some factors that helped me connect to it. For example, when we discussed various logical fallacies that can be seen in various fields of mechanical engineering. Furthermore, when we discussed government agencies and grants, I could relate this to how business is down between various engineering companies and their clients because it is never “smooth sailing.” But, we mostly discussed topics not directly related to my major which I think helped my choose an engineering path because I am more of a math-based and calculations person than a reasoning person. I’m not saying that there isn’t reasoning behind engineering, because there certainly is. But, I am more focused towards the math aspects of mechanical engineering, hence why I chose this major.
Also, cite at least two (2) specific items from classes that are SGC requirements or supporting courses, but which are not CPSP classes, that additionally support your thesis.
Firstly, in my weather and climate class we discussed about the potential of our planet and the affects of climate change on our planet and this just reaffirms that climate change is an important issue that needs to discussed more. Secondly, in my mechanical engineering class, my professor told the class that getting a B or B- is not to be frowned upon because that is a very deserving grade. I think I can relate to this because like a discussed earlier, I would sometimes get mad when I didn't get a grade that I really wanted but this professor just reassured me that striving for perfection is not always attainable and you should be satisfied with your work if you did it to your best ability.
Additionally, discuss how your learning was improved or enhanced by interacting (in or out of class) with one or more fellow SGC Scholars. Please use particular examples of how being in this living-learning community actually aided in learning (or, if it did not aid in learning, indicate such).
My learning has definitely improved by working and meeting various SGC Scholars. I've made friends with a few people and now we are curerntly studying for our finals together. I honeslty think that this is one the purposes of SGC, besides its content of course. To meet other individuals and connect and learn to socialize with others is a key part of communication in the future for job interviews and meetings. Being in this community has actually aided in learning because I've learned a lot of important material related to science and current news and now I can talk to my family members about these events because they are constantly watching the news. It is important to be on top of what is going around the world because it is affecting us everyday and will continue to effect us until it is too late.
Scholars aims to encourage active contribution on the part of students, either in specific academic situations (e.g., Colloquium discussions and projects; field trip activities; etc.) or as part of the larger Scholars community. To what degree do you think you have personally contributed to SGC, giving particular examples?
I cannot say that I have contributed the most to scholars, but I have contributed a well amount from service activities to various events that have occurred. I was never the outgoing person so it does take a bit of courage to do some of the more social things but I am getting better with this and look forward to doing more in the future. In fact, I look forward to presenting my project in the spring because I am proud of the internship that I was given to work at Piedmont Design Group, which is an engineering company close to where I live.
Furthermore, discuss to what degree (if any) did being in Scholars brought you in contact with people or concepts that challenged previous beliefs or opinions you had (either concerning the academic material of the program or other personal issues in your life). [Please note: a challenge is not necessarily a contradiction! Consider a "challenge" as any situation that caused you to examine or reflect on a belief or opinion that you already had.] How have these beliefs and opinions changed as a result of your experiences over your first three semesters?
Yes, being in Scholars has brought me in contact with people that challenged the concepts that I had learned. Where I went ot high school, many of the people were Republicans and Trump supports, i.e. they believed every word that came out his mouth. Anyway, they did not believe that climate change was a contributing factor to your planet rising in temperature and just thought that it was a leftist made-up scheme. This is however not the truth because sciene proves that climate change is affecting our planet and it is not in fact a myth. But, when I recently came back int contact with these people, they still unfortunately acted the same way with their same reasons. I simply brushed them aside and did not pay much attention to the words that were coming out their mouth because it was complete nonesense that I did not have time to listen to.
Finally, how do you think your Scholars experience might inform your future? Are there particular lessons, methods, events, or other aspects of your time in SGC that you expect to draw upon as a junior and senior? In post-undergraduate education (if any)? In your professional career? [Obviously this is just speculation on your part; it is often the case that it is only in hindsight that we discover what was really our most important or formative experiences!]
Yes, I do believe that my Scholars experience will inform my future because of the various information I have learned. I don't beleive that I would be so informed of climate change if it wasn't for the contents of this course. I think the lessons about agencies and grants really gave me a lot of information that I don't think I would get in any other class or anywhere else besides listening to the news and looking for it online. I am glad that I am more "roundly" knowledgeable, i.e. having knowledge in many different subjects. I think it is important for everyone, especially people my age, to learn about climate change and our earth because we are the future. It is going to be my generation writing and passing laws and bills that will affect our future and the future of the planet. We only get one planet, so we cannot destroy it with the lies that climate change is only a myth!