SGC was a great experience in that we were able to look back from our very specific and equation dense science courses and look at what science is fundamentally. We were truly able to see the bigger picture, and it helped me find meaning in the classes that I was taking. Memorizing a bunch of formulas for a good grade on my next chemistry exam is not fun or engaging. However, learning about why it is important to keep science alive in our minds in SGC colloquium was very encouraging and I found it a nice change of pace from my other classes. The colloquiums throughout the course expanded on the idea of science, from fundamentals, to applications in our current society. I found the last part the most interesting, especially the lectures which intertwined history with scientific thinking. These lectures have resonated with me, such as the idea of unintended consequences, which was taught to us in an extensive analysis of history and decision making. From all these teachings, I feel that I have a greater understanding of the history of academia and scientific reasoning, as well as a greater understanding of my future and how I feel science should be interpreted. I look forward to the future and how I can make this world a better place!
As a person, I feel I use the hypothetico-deductive method almost on a daily basis, especially when trying to understand my own mind. My mind is often my biggest enemy, and there are many circumstances where I feel I can be out of control of my thoughts and a certain situation. When I can detect a pattern in which I feel these emotions, I try to test solutions. For example, during a big speech, I would often get very nervous. I felt sometimes as if I wouldnt be able to control my speech. So, one day, I proposed a hypothesis in my mind. If I were to take a breath every 15 seconds during my presentation, I would not feel anxious. And so on the big day, I tested this hypothesis. It worked! I found a solution in which I can calm myself down in the middle of a presentation, and remember to keep my cool. I employ this technique anytime I speak publicly. This is just one of the times I used the hypothetico-deductive method to achieve mindfulness.
Situations in which I see failure in critical thinking skills are when friends are playing video games. Often when someone loses a game, someone will bring up the argument that their character is worse than their competitor's character, and that is why they lost, which is oftentimes the case for players of similar skill level. However, the competitor who won often uses Ad Hominem, saying “it's a skill issue, you’re just bad at the game”. This is a very angering response but it's one that I see used quite often.
A news related item that I encountered outside of the SGC colloquium dealing specifically with climate change is the increasing rate of glacier melt in Antarctica and how it is changing sea levels. SGC has enhanced my understanding of this news article as there were many lectures talking about the probable futures in which the land we live on could be submerged by water in a matter of years. It is a very scary future but it is one that is becoming more and more known in the public eye.
An example of a misunderstanding of the scientific method that I have encountered is the idea that vaccines do not work against the coronavirus and will only make you trackable. SGC and other life experiences helped me to identify this misapplication of scientific information due to the fact that the idea is very far fetched, and the vaccine has been approved by the top scientists in the world. There are many sources to support the effectiveness of vaccines but no credible sources to support the theory that vaccines are microchips.
The speakers that we listened to in class for colloquium were most effective in helping me choose civil engineering as a major. There was one scholar who was a lawyer and studied engineering as an undergraduate who spoke of the idea to just finish your major, and afterwards so many opportunities will be open to you. The key is to find a general idea of what you want to do and finish undergrad with those skills. He greatly enhanced my attitude towards engineering, and I look forward to all the opportunities that I can create using the skills that I will learn.
Two specific items that have greatly helped expand my knowledge have been my research with my brother which I am working on in order to complete my practicum, as well as my role as a peer mentor. From these experiences, I have learned how to get more involved in research here at UMD, as well as how to be a good mentor and role model. I like assuming such a position and making other students feel welcome here with someone to talk to.
This living-learning community is where I have met some of my closest friends here at college. Charlie, Kevin and Akshay are all from SGC, and we are still very close. We help each other in classes and hang out all the time. Being in this living learning community is also special as many events happen, such as the S’mores night, in which students would gather around the Centreville entrance to make S’mores and talk. I have met many friends from events like these, and I am friends with most of the people from my SGC class.
I have personally contributed to SGC through the peer mentor program. This program was a great experience for me as I have previously mentioned, and allowed me the incoming freshman class involved with activities around campus. I have gotten to know all of my mentees, and we have gone out for dinner several times this semester, as well as gone to many scholar events outside of colloquium and service day. So in all, I believe that I have contributed a large amount to scholars, and I will encourage many incoming freshmen to get involved with scholars as much as they can as well.
Scholars have definitely brought me in contact with a wide variety of people. However, I rarely felt as if we had challenging opinions. What I can say is that I have learned how to socialize and become friends with a greater variety of people. One of my strengths that I have discovered is the ability to converse naturally with most people and make meaningful connections. Scholars definitely made this ability clear to me.
I think scholars will have a great impact on my future as it stresses the idea of using science for good purposes, and the idea that we can be the change that the world needs. So, in whatever job I pursue, I will be sure to seek this purpose on a day to day basis. My goal is to slow down climate change and ensure a sustainable future, and I know that I have all the skill sets to influence other people and utilize science to better the world. So I will not rest easy until I have achieved my goal at becoming an independent-minded successful engineer who is paving the way for a sustainable future.