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.
Throughout the scholar program, I have learned many skills regarding research and deductive reasoning. I learned how to evaluate and look deeper into a question or problem that may be presented to me. The topic that connected me most to my major was decarbonization methods and geoengineering. I am majoring in chemical engineering and my main goal with my major or to find solutions to real-world problems and hopefully make this world a slightly better place. Going through the geoengineering lectures I was able to look at new ways to combat problems concerning climate change. Geoengineering involves chemical engineering as it can include chemically modifying the environment or modifying industrial methods. For the decarbonization methods, my CHEM135 class helped me understand different carbon capture systems, especially the ones that used chemical reactions to isolate carbon dioxide. My chemistry class helped me dig deeper into understanding the science behind these methods. Another class that helped me understand the idea behind problem-solving was my MATH140 class. It was an advanced-level math class and it helped me learn how to tackle problems. I already knew that I wanted to pursue chemical engineering last year but this semester solidified this. Overall the topics we cover in the scholars program involve critical thinking and problem solving which is a big part of what engineering is. I realized that so much can be done by engineers and they are needed to push the boundaries of applied science, and solve technical problems to reach new heights.
On the news in the past year, I have seen reports of destructive hurricanes and how climate change has brought this on. Hurricanes are predicted to cause more intense rainfall and have a greater coastal flood risk as sea levels rise due to global warming. There was a hurricane in Florida not long ago that displaced many people and was very destructive. The knowledge that SGC provided me was very useful when understanding why these hurricanes are getting stronger. I learned about what rising global temperatures do to sea levels and rainfall. Lastly, because of SGC, I was able to understand the science behind these intense hurricanes and understand why they happen. I was able to understand scientific articles and whether they were accurate or not. Last year I had the privilege of living in a living-learning community. Many people on my floor were in my SGC class and I was able to talk to them often. I was able to ask them questions outside of class and I was also able to form friendships with a few of them. By being able to talk to my peers I was able to understand what was being talked about in class better and I was also able to get help when needed. I would say that the living-learning community was a positive experience overall.
SGC has many opportunities for students to get involved in the program in bigger ways. This includes volunteer events, leadership roles, and mentorships. I was able to personally contribute to SGC in lectures and discussions. I answered questions in class and contributed to the overall conversation. I also was able to give my own opinion in some conversations as well. I believe that I could have contributed more outside the classroom such as by getting involved in a leadership role or doing more volunteer activities. Getting a leadership role would have enabled me to talk to the students and other faculty and gain a better understanding of what the SGC program entails.
Before the scholars program I was involved with environmental activism and I was also curious about climate change overall and the science involved but now I was able to dive deeper into my understanding. The program has challenged me and encouraged me to think critically. I was able to reflect on my ideas and opinions by talking with other students. Some ideas I've had had logical fallacies and from the instruction of the professors I was able to dive deeper into those fallacies and examine what was wrong. There have been some things that I thought were true but after attending the discussions I was able to learn about evidence contradicting that idea. Mostly my opinions regarding climate change have been reinforced because of the discussions I’ve had with other students but I was still intellectually challenged which motivated deeper thinking.
Being in the scholars program has greatly influenced my academic career and my endeavors. Throughout the three semesters, I was presented with problems that required critical thinking and discourse. This will come in handy in the future as I plan to be an engineer. The basis of engineering is problem-solving and applying scientific knowledge to creative solutions. A whole semester of the SGC program was dedicated to solutions to climate change and the methods involved. I believe that the program has also taught me to look at the world from a different perspective. I can now look at it from a more logical side and ask more questions. I am now able to read scientific articles and understand what is being talked about as well as make sure they are reliable. I can conduct my research and come up with my ideas. In addition to looking at the world with a new perspective, I am also able to have more intellectual conversations with people about what going on in the world and I can hear their side and ask questions to gain a deeper understanding of their ideas. I now have the knowledge to have conversations about climate change with people who may not understand it as well. In conclusion. The SGC program has taught me so much and has pushed me to think outside of the box. It was a very positive experience and I am grateful that I got to be a part of it.