Over the last three semesters in SGC, I have learned a lot about the Science of Nature and the Nature of Science. More specifically, I learned the principles and foundations of scientific practice. I also learned past, present, and future global changes and challenges, critical thinking skills, and the basics of scientific knowledge and communication in the modern world. Today, in my 3-semester review, I will be discussing how my time in the SGC program has aided in my understanding of these myriad of topics.
To begin, I will discuss some examples of how the experiences I had in SGC were applied in my daily life. One example is during essay research in my government and politics class, I encountered videos of politicians who used ad hominem attacks against their opponents rather than addressing the substance of their arguments. This is a failure in critical thinking. During my time in the SGC program, the importance of logical reasoning in debate and arguments was highlighted. Reflecting on my SGC experience, the program's education on scientific discourse and evidence-based argumentation had better prepared me to navigate such situations. Another example of SGC content being relevant in my life was when I read a news article about the loss of diversity in insect species around the world. Drawing from my SGC experience, particularly the discussions on climate change and its implications, I was better equipped to analyze the causes and effects of the decline.
Another aspect of SGC that will aid in my future is the emphasis on collaborative learning. In colloquium, the frequent group discussions and nation climate change roleplay. These group activities provided me with more diverse opinions. These group activities provided me with more exposure to different methods of problem solving. I actively contributed to the SGC Program in various ways. In colloquium, I often answered questions and participated, making the class better. I also participated in our group project extensively, creating a presentation about green roof technology and how it can help climate change and reduce emissions. SGC also introduced me to concepts and discussions that challenged my previously held ideas. For instance, delving into ways to possibly avert climate change in the Drawdown readings helped me to gain a better understanding of core climate change and environment policy issues, and introduce me to new technologies and ideas to combat it.
Looking ahead, my Scholars experience is likely to inform my future in several ways. The colloquium based discussion learning has helped me gain valuable teamwork and communication skills that will be critical in my next 2 years of college, and in the rest of my life. In addition, the emphasis on critical thinking gained through this class will benefit me in further and my professional career. The experiences, lessons, and methodologies I've learned during my time in SGC will help serve as a foundation for a lifelong commitment to critically thinking through life.