Three Semester Review ○
These past three semesters of college have been marked by learning experiences and the application of the lessons I’ve picked up along the way. Scholars has been a huge part of those experiences, where I’ve not only gotten a deeper understanding of the science behind climate change but also learned how to think critically and rationally about the world around me. Whether it’s stepping into the shoes of scientists, researchers, policymakers, or everyday citizens, Scholars has taught me how to navigate life with an open mind and use my thinking skills to truly grasp the information I’m presented with. Through these three semesters, I’ve been able to apply these lessons to build resilience for the future when it comes to climate change and resilience when it comes to change in general, something we all need in these ever-changing times. For example, during my very first semester, we were taught how to read scientific papers. At the time, I had almost no understanding of them. The vocabulary and intricacies were so intimidating that I’d rather avoid them altogether than try to make sense of them. But Scholars broke it down for me. From the abstract to the methods to the results and conclusions, I learned how to navigate these papers and gained confidence in understanding their structure. This skill turned out to be crucial when I worked with the UMD Combustion Lab. My task was to find the best way to separate water from liquid bio-oil produced through hydrothermal liquefaction. I initially assumed that chemical processes would be the best solution. Even though I didn’t know much about chemistry, it seemed logical that chemical reactions could purify the bio-oil by removing water and other impurities. However, as I started reading scientific papers to better understand the problem, I found some researchers were also experimenting with chemical processes, and the results weren’t great. Chemical processes were not only ineffective at evaporating water but often reduced oil yields and increased impurity concentrations. By carefully reading and piecing together the methods and results in these papers, I realized that my assumption was wrong. Physical processes, especially when combined with chemical methods, were much more effective at separating water without sacrificing oil quality. This experience showed me the power of simply reading and understanding research. It allowed me to challenge my assumptions and find better solutions. Later, I applied the same skills in my ENES200 class, engineering ethics, where I had to write a research paper on the ethics of hydrogen fuel. I went in thinking that hydrogen fuel had to be a perfect, clean energy source due to information I had already heard. But after digging into the research, I found that hydrogen fuel often masks itself as clean while being produced from fossil fuels. It completely shifted my perspective and made me question other things I’d taken for granted. Learning to read scientific papers hasn’t just been about understanding complex topics; it’s taught me to question everything, a skill I know will serve me well in the future. As a mechanical engineering student, I’ve always felt surrounded by career paths that didn’t really interest me; defense, computing, manufacturing, they just didn’t excite me. When I first joined Scholars, I wasn’t even sure what I wanted to do with my engineering degree. I knew I wanted to design spaces where people live and thrive, whether that meant homes, landscapes, or entire cities, but architecture seemed too risky while engineering felt too rigid. Scholars helped me connect my major to something I was genuinely passionate about: renewable energy. During discussions about solutions to climate change, I found myself drawn to the technical side of things, especially when it came to renewable energy. I started to see renewables not just as a possibility but as the future. This interest helped me realize that my current biofuel research, while fascinating, wasn’t where I saw my future. Biofuels felt too similar to fossil fuels in that they still involve pulling carbon out of the Earth and putting it back into the atmosphere. What I wanted was to work on solutions that could completely eliminate positive carbon sources, solutions like solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal energy. Scholars helped me see how my background in mechanical engineering could fit into this vision of renewable energy. Whether it’s improving the efficiency of energy generation, ensuring reliable transportation of electricity, or creating safe storage systems, I want to be part of the future of renewables. This realization has given me clarity on the direction I want to take with my degree and career. Another thing Scholars has done is affirm an attitude I’ve been developing since high school. I’ve always wondered why so many of the world’s problems are met with band-aid solutions rather than addressing the root causes. Whether it’s crime, chronic illness, or climate change, the default seems to be treating symptoms instead of solving the underlying issues. For example, we respond to crime with tough-on-crime policies, to chronic illness with symptom-relieving drugs, and to climate change with more air conditioning, to be frank. But these approaches don’t solve anything in the long run. Scholars has taught me to think about the root causes of problems and work towards long-term solutions. In my URSP250 sustainable city class, I applied this mindset by focusing on the lack of greenspace in cities as a root cause of many urban issues. Without greenspace, cities see higher rates of chronic illness, mental health struggles, crime, and overall decline. Identifying this root cause showed me how important it is to plan ahead and address the foundations of problems rather than just their surface-level symptoms. This mindset is just as relevant to climate change. Many people want to continue with business as usual and address the consequences as they come. But if we don’t confront climate change for what it really is and tackle its root causes, the consequences will only get worse. Scholars has taught me the value of digging deeper and not taking things at face value, a skill that’s so important in a world where people often accept reality without questioning it. When it comes to the community of Scholars, it’s been a big part of making the transition from high school to college smoother for me. Being part of a close-knit group helped me meet people and make connections easily during my first semester. Just asking someone if they were in my program was enough to start a conversation. Living in the same building as my peers made collaboration much easier. For group projects like the Impacts of Climate Change project, it was simple to gather in the same place, allowing us to focus fully on the work rather than the logistics. Scholars didn’t present me with challenges that directly opposed my views but instead gave me tools to reinforce my beliefs and support them with evidence. I’ve been able to contribute to the program through projects like the Plan for 2050, offering my research and knowledge to peers and growing through their input. These presentations and group efforts not only helped me learn but also allowed me to leave something for future Scholars to build on. Through these three semesters, I’ve absorbed so much information that has shaped my thinking. Whether it’s in my studies or in conversations with the people I know and those I’ll meet, the lessons from Scholars will stay with me as I keep building my perspective and working toward a better future.