Name of Assignment: Country Presentation
Subject: Global Cultures
Facilitator/Teacher: Adam Fleischer
Description of Work/Assignment:
For this assignment, we had to find in-depth information about a certain country. I chose Greece as the country I would research. The information included culture, food, religion, and geography.
Which 21st Century Skill do you feel this assignment addresses, and why?
I think this is a good example of Global Awareness. This assignment pushed me to look outside of my own culture and explore other aspects of the world.
What are you most proud of from this assignment, and why?
I’m most proud of my ability to choose a topic that I am passionate about for this project. I had the option to research any country and I picked one that I knew would interest me so I could do my best work.
How did you develop and/or improve upon your 21st Century Skill with this assignment?
I was able to become more globally aware with this project because it allowed me to compare and contrast my culture to the likes of others.
What was most difficult about completing this task?
The most difficult part about completing this task was depicting information based on how important it was to the bigger picture of the country. With such a large country and not much time to present, I needed to be selective with the information I chose.
How could you improve this work? If you could start over, what would you do differently?
If I could redo this project, I would try to order food to bring into class. This way, the people that I’m presenting to are able to see and taste parts of Greek culture.
How does this relate to what you have learned in the past?
Oftentimes, we learn about other countries in school. This project allowed me to do my own research on the country and become an expert.
How can you apply this to future learning?
I can apply these global awareness skills to my future in college, where it is likely that I will meet people of many other cultures.
Subject: Global Cultures
Facilitator/Teacher: Adam Fleischer
Description of Work/Assignment:
For this assignment, we had to find in-depth information about a certain country. I chose Greece as the country I would research. The information included culture, food, religion, and geography.
Which 21st Century Skill do you feel this assignment addresses, and why?
I think this is a good example of Global Awareness. This assignment pushed me to look outside of my own culture and explore other aspects of the world.
What are you most proud of from this assignment, and why?
I’m most proud of my ability to choose a topic that I am passionate about for this project. I had the option to research any country and I picked one that I knew would interest me so I could do my best work.
How did you develop and/or improve upon your 21st Century Skill with this assignment?
I was able to become more globally aware with this project because it allowed me to compare and contrast my culture to the likes of others.
What was most difficult about completing this task?
The most difficult part about completing this task was depicting information based on how important it was to the bigger picture of the country. With such a large country and not much time to present, I needed to be selective with the information I chose.
How could you improve this work? If you could start over, what would you do differently?
If I could redo this project, I would try to order food to bring into class. This way, the people that I’m presenting to are able to see and taste parts of Greek culture.
How does this relate to what you have learned in the past?
Oftentimes, we learn about other countries in school. This project allowed me to do my own research on the country and become an expert.
How can you apply this to future learning?
I can apply these global awareness skills to my future in college, where it is likely that I will meet people of many other cultures.
Name of Assignment: Progress Presentation
Subject: Junior Seminar
Facilitator/Teacher: Tara Lindsey, Amanda Wilson
Description of Work/Assignment:
This was a presentation in which students would describe or update the progress that we have made in our Junior Projects.
Which 21st Century Skill do you feel this assignment addresses, and why?
I think this assignment best addresses self-directional skills. For our Junior Project, Lana and I needed to use resources found by ourselves to build something from the ground up.
What are you most proud of from this assignment, and why?
I’m most proud of the fact that Lana and I had an idea and we made it happen. It didn’t seem like a realistic feat in the beginning, but we made it happen. I’m also proud that we had a backup plan in case our application to the Honor Society was not accepted. Although we didn’t need it, there was comfort in the knowledge of a plan B.
How did you develop and/or improve upon your 21st Century Skill with this assignment?
There were times where Lana and I had to brainstorm and problem solve without the help of an adult. We did a lot of research to find solutions, but we did it all on our own. With guidance from mentors, we were better able to find our way, but we implemented self directional learning into our process of teamwork.
What was most difficult about completing this task?
The most difficult part about completing this task was not knowing whether or not our application was accepted. We weren’t sure what to do in the 3-4 weeks it took to get the results. We wanted to make the most out of our time while managing to be smart bout the decisions we made.
How could you improve this work? If you could start over, what would you do differently?
If I could start over, I would try to be more effective in my communication skills. We originally thought that it would take a week to get our application outcome back because we were going to fill it out online. We later found out that it was sent in by mail, making it take 3-4 weeks.
How does this relate to what you have learned in the past?
This is a fairly new project to many of my peers and I. I’ve always used self-directional skills, but the junior project has brought them to a new perspective for me.
Subject: Junior Seminar
Facilitator/Teacher: Tara Lindsey, Amanda Wilson
Description of Work/Assignment:
This was a presentation in which students would describe or update the progress that we have made in our Junior Projects.
Which 21st Century Skill do you feel this assignment addresses, and why?
I think this assignment best addresses self-directional skills. For our Junior Project, Lana and I needed to use resources found by ourselves to build something from the ground up.
What are you most proud of from this assignment, and why?
I’m most proud of the fact that Lana and I had an idea and we made it happen. It didn’t seem like a realistic feat in the beginning, but we made it happen. I’m also proud that we had a backup plan in case our application to the Honor Society was not accepted. Although we didn’t need it, there was comfort in the knowledge of a plan B.
How did you develop and/or improve upon your 21st Century Skill with this assignment?
There were times where Lana and I had to brainstorm and problem solve without the help of an adult. We did a lot of research to find solutions, but we did it all on our own. With guidance from mentors, we were better able to find our way, but we implemented self directional learning into our process of teamwork.
What was most difficult about completing this task?
The most difficult part about completing this task was not knowing whether or not our application was accepted. We weren’t sure what to do in the 3-4 weeks it took to get the results. We wanted to make the most out of our time while managing to be smart bout the decisions we made.
How could you improve this work? If you could start over, what would you do differently?
If I could start over, I would try to be more effective in my communication skills. We originally thought that it would take a week to get our application outcome back because we were going to fill it out online. We later found out that it was sent in by mail, making it take 3-4 weeks.
How does this relate to what you have learned in the past?
This is a fairly new project to many of my peers and I. I’ve always used self-directional skills, but the junior project has brought them to a new perspective for me.
Name of Assignment: Physics Research Presentation
Subject: Physics
Facilitator/Teacher: Kris Murali
Description of Work/Assignment:
In the Physics Research Presentation, we needed to find a field of Physics to study and present on. I chose to learn more about Optics, which explores the properties of light.
Which 21st Century Skill do you feel this assignment addresses, and why?
The best 21st Century Skill to describe this project is Information Skills. I used information skills to research and find accurate information regarding Optics and the people who work in the field.
What are you most proud of from this assignment, and why?
I’m most proud of the visual aspect of this project. I feel that I was able to create an engaging presentation that was equally informational and nice to look at.
How did you develop and/or improve upon your 21st Century Skill with this assignment?
I improved on my information skills because the requirements for this project called for very specific information. I needed to dig past my typical google searches to find key points in online text.
What was most difficult about completing this task?
The most difficult part about completing this task was finding that specific information. I appreciated the challenge, and it definitely helped me improve upon my 21st Century Skills.
How could you improve this work? If you could start over, what would you do differently?
If I could improve this work, I would try to add more fun facts. I found Optics very interesting, and I wish I had dove deeper into certain parts of the topic.
How does this relate to what you have learned in the past?
In terms of a research project, this is very similar to other assignments. I have done the same type of assignment with Engineering as well. Although it followed the same format, this project was completely different from the material that I was studying.
How can you apply this to future learning?
I can apply this knowledge of research and information skills to any project that I use in the future. I can also use my new comprehension of the working field and salaries for future job opportunities.
Subject: Physics
Facilitator/Teacher: Kris Murali
Description of Work/Assignment:
In the Physics Research Presentation, we needed to find a field of Physics to study and present on. I chose to learn more about Optics, which explores the properties of light.
Which 21st Century Skill do you feel this assignment addresses, and why?
The best 21st Century Skill to describe this project is Information Skills. I used information skills to research and find accurate information regarding Optics and the people who work in the field.
What are you most proud of from this assignment, and why?
I’m most proud of the visual aspect of this project. I feel that I was able to create an engaging presentation that was equally informational and nice to look at.
How did you develop and/or improve upon your 21st Century Skill with this assignment?
I improved on my information skills because the requirements for this project called for very specific information. I needed to dig past my typical google searches to find key points in online text.
What was most difficult about completing this task?
The most difficult part about completing this task was finding that specific information. I appreciated the challenge, and it definitely helped me improve upon my 21st Century Skills.
How could you improve this work? If you could start over, what would you do differently?
If I could improve this work, I would try to add more fun facts. I found Optics very interesting, and I wish I had dove deeper into certain parts of the topic.
How does this relate to what you have learned in the past?
In terms of a research project, this is very similar to other assignments. I have done the same type of assignment with Engineering as well. Although it followed the same format, this project was completely different from the material that I was studying.
How can you apply this to future learning?
I can apply this knowledge of research and information skills to any project that I use in the future. I can also use my new comprehension of the working field and salaries for future job opportunities.
Name of Assignment: Application & Reflection: Linear Programming
Subject: Algebra II
Facilitator/Teacher: Amanda Alexander
Description of Work/Assignment:
This assignment required us to have the mind of a business person. We needed to find the most logical possible amount of sales for a business using given information. We implemented linear equations and used scientific calculators to find these amounts.
Which 21st Century Skill do you feel this assignment addresses, and why?
This assignment fits perfectly with Financial, Economic, and Business Literacy. By equating math with logic in business, we were able to find the most reasonable outcome for a made-up business. This improved both my math and economic skills.
What are you most proud of from this assignment, and why?
I’m most proud of the fact that my group worked to not only find the largest answer to these equations, but also the most logical and profitable answer. I was also proud of the titles we came up with for each linear equation.
How did you develop and/or improve upon your 21st Century Skill with this assignment?
This assignment allowed me to see math from a new perspective. I used it as a tool in finding out new ways to run and operate a business.
What was most difficult about completing this task?
The most difficult part about completing this task was graphing my group’s results. I’ve always had a difficult time with graphs, but my team helped me understand where each point is plotted.
How could you improve this work? If you could start over, what would you do differently?
If I could restart this assignment, I would try to add more color to the finished product. We only had one class period to complete this, so it felt a bit rushed. In the future, I will work on managing time to include a better visual result.
How does this relate to what you have learned in the past?
This project is similar to what I have learned in the past because I already knew how to do all of the math. Instead, I needed to take my knowledge and apply it to various real-world scenarios.
How can you apply this to future learning?
I can apply this newfound logical thinking to any future projects or post-high school business assignments. This information is very universal.
Subject: Algebra II
Facilitator/Teacher: Amanda Alexander
Description of Work/Assignment:
This assignment required us to have the mind of a business person. We needed to find the most logical possible amount of sales for a business using given information. We implemented linear equations and used scientific calculators to find these amounts.
Which 21st Century Skill do you feel this assignment addresses, and why?
This assignment fits perfectly with Financial, Economic, and Business Literacy. By equating math with logic in business, we were able to find the most reasonable outcome for a made-up business. This improved both my math and economic skills.
What are you most proud of from this assignment, and why?
I’m most proud of the fact that my group worked to not only find the largest answer to these equations, but also the most logical and profitable answer. I was also proud of the titles we came up with for each linear equation.
How did you develop and/or improve upon your 21st Century Skill with this assignment?
This assignment allowed me to see math from a new perspective. I used it as a tool in finding out new ways to run and operate a business.
What was most difficult about completing this task?
The most difficult part about completing this task was graphing my group’s results. I’ve always had a difficult time with graphs, but my team helped me understand where each point is plotted.
How could you improve this work? If you could start over, what would you do differently?
If I could restart this assignment, I would try to add more color to the finished product. We only had one class period to complete this, so it felt a bit rushed. In the future, I will work on managing time to include a better visual result.
How does this relate to what you have learned in the past?
This project is similar to what I have learned in the past because I already knew how to do all of the math. Instead, I needed to take my knowledge and apply it to various real-world scenarios.
How can you apply this to future learning?
I can apply this newfound logical thinking to any future projects or post-high school business assignments. This information is very universal.
Semester II
Name of Assignment: Build a Life
Subject: Junior Seminar
Facilitator/Teacher: Tara Lindsey & Amanda Wilson
21st Century Skill: Civic Literacy & Engagement
Share one valuable takeaway you have from this experience.
Learning about the reality of budgeting has proven to be very valuable already. In day-to-day life, I have begun thinking about more ways to spend efficiently since beginning this assignment.
Did you find this overall project valuable, why or why not?
Yes. The main criticism that people have of high school is the lack of realistic preparation for life. I appreciated this assignment’s interactive and personal approach to budget-making.
Is there anything you didn’t learn that you would like to know more about? How can this project be improved?
While I found this project effective, I think the addition of a project solely focused on the expenses of college/university will prove useful as well. An in-depth exploration of college, financial aid, and scholarships would be helpful for the near future.
What monthly expenses surprised you the most?
Both the amount of money that goes towards taxes and the student loan interest was shocking.
If any, what bills do you pay for now?
I pay yearly taxes for my part-time job.
Was your starting salary enough to cover your monthly expenses and allow you to save? If not, research how your chosen career path could allow you to make the kind of money you would like to be making and explain.
Yes. I had enough money to save and extra expenses as well. However, this is based on a salary that I will receive after many years of schooling and below-average pay. Saving will be the key to breaking even with student loans and any financial instability from the years I had spent in residency.
Finally, reflect on how you applied your Financial, Economic, and Business Literacy Skills to completing this project.
This entire project was built around the development and implications of Financial, Economic, and Business Literacy skills. I have not only applied these skills but vastly improved upon them throughout my “Build a Life” assignment.
Subject: Junior Seminar
Facilitator/Teacher: Tara Lindsey & Amanda Wilson
21st Century Skill: Civic Literacy & Engagement
Share one valuable takeaway you have from this experience.
Learning about the reality of budgeting has proven to be very valuable already. In day-to-day life, I have begun thinking about more ways to spend efficiently since beginning this assignment.
Did you find this overall project valuable, why or why not?
Yes. The main criticism that people have of high school is the lack of realistic preparation for life. I appreciated this assignment’s interactive and personal approach to budget-making.
Is there anything you didn’t learn that you would like to know more about? How can this project be improved?
While I found this project effective, I think the addition of a project solely focused on the expenses of college/university will prove useful as well. An in-depth exploration of college, financial aid, and scholarships would be helpful for the near future.
What monthly expenses surprised you the most?
Both the amount of money that goes towards taxes and the student loan interest was shocking.
If any, what bills do you pay for now?
I pay yearly taxes for my part-time job.
Was your starting salary enough to cover your monthly expenses and allow you to save? If not, research how your chosen career path could allow you to make the kind of money you would like to be making and explain.
Yes. I had enough money to save and extra expenses as well. However, this is based on a salary that I will receive after many years of schooling and below-average pay. Saving will be the key to breaking even with student loans and any financial instability from the years I had spent in residency.
Finally, reflect on how you applied your Financial, Economic, and Business Literacy Skills to completing this project.
This entire project was built around the development and implications of Financial, Economic, and Business Literacy skills. I have not only applied these skills but vastly improved upon them throughout my “Build a Life” assignment.
- Name of Assignment: Country Presentation
- Subject: Global Cultures
- Facilitator/Teacher: Adam Fleischer
- Description of Work/Assignment:
Which 21st Century Skill do you feel this assignment addresses, and why?
I think this is a good example of Thinking and Problem Solving. I decided to research Russia because it was a mystery to me. I’ve heard a multitude of misconceptions about the country that interested me. However, I decided to present on Russia roughly three weeks before their invasion of Ukraine. I needed to strategically convey Russia’s culture while being mindful and respectful of current events. It was vital that I communicate that I do not condemn the government’s recent actions, nor do most Russians.
What are you most proud of from this assignment, and why?
I’m most proud that I was able to create an environment of cultural appreciation while simultaneously bringing awareness to the issues of a country. I was glad at the opportunity to separate the Russian people from the Russian government.
How did you develop and/or improve upon your 21st Century Skill with this assignment?
Because of the internet and social media, it is important to filter what you are going to say and to make your point very clear without taking any detours. It’s difficult to use your voice at the risk of offending someone, or oftentimes, having a misunderstanding. I believe that my thinking and problem-solving skills were used to deflect negative connotations of Russia and shift the view to the country’s culture.
What was most difficult about completing this task?
The most difficult part about completing this task was depicting information based on how important it was to the bigger picture of the country. With such a large country and not much time to present, I needed to be selective with the information I chose.
How could you improve this work? If you could start over, what would you do differently?
If I could redo this project, I would’ve interviewed someone who is Russian. It is so easy to gain a general understanding of culture through the internet, however, hearing an authentic individual’s voice would have been beneficial.
How does this relate to what you have learned in the past?
In-depth country research has become a custom in my Junior year. As I prepare for my future endeavors, I have become a lot more interested in the geography and cultures of countries around the world. I feel that my understanding of culture as a whole has grown from the past to now.
How can you apply this to future learning?
These skills can be applied in my exchange year. Breaking misconceptions and pre-acquired opinions of countries and cultures is a valuable skill to have. An open mind is the best thing to bring to a new country.
Name of Assignment: Quadratic Catapult
Subject: Algebra II
Facilitator/Teacher: Amanda Alexander
Description of Work/Assignment:
This assignment required us to apply both physics and algebraic principles to one project. We needed to build a catapult with limited materials, write an equation to map the distance it could shoot, and graph the entire flight path of a marshmallow when shot.
Which 21st Century Skill do you feel this assignment addresses, and why?
The Quadratic Catapult project addressed my Interpersonal skills most. I needed to work with someone who I had never worked with before. We decided to split up the work based on our skillset.
What are you most proud of from this assignment, and why?
I’m most proud of our catapult’s design. My partner and I took a risk in picking a more dynamic approach, but it ended up paying off when our catapult shot the farthest distance.
How did you develop and/or improve upon your 21st Century Skill with this assignment?
I needed to communicate and break up work. Usually, I prefer to work alone, however, this assignment allowed me to break that barrier and appreciate being on a team.
What was most difficult about completing this task?
The most difficult part of the assignment, for me, was constructing the catapult. It required a lot of precision and accurate measurement. This is the portion where I felt lucky to have a partner.
How could you improve this work? If you could start over, what would you do differently?
If I could redo this project, I would try to incorporate more documentation. I also might have tried to make our catapult larger.
How does this relate to what you have learned in the past?
We had been working on these equations during algebra. What surprised me was seeing the same/similar problems that we had previously learned in physics. Having the background knowledge especially helped on the test portion of the assignment.
Thanks, Mr. Murali :)
How can you apply this to future learning?
Well, if I ever wanted to be an aerospace engineer, I suppose these skills would come in handy. Otherwise, it was good to have the experience of working with an unfamiliar partner.
Subject: Algebra II
Facilitator/Teacher: Amanda Alexander
Description of Work/Assignment:
This assignment required us to apply both physics and algebraic principles to one project. We needed to build a catapult with limited materials, write an equation to map the distance it could shoot, and graph the entire flight path of a marshmallow when shot.
Which 21st Century Skill do you feel this assignment addresses, and why?
The Quadratic Catapult project addressed my Interpersonal skills most. I needed to work with someone who I had never worked with before. We decided to split up the work based on our skillset.
What are you most proud of from this assignment, and why?
I’m most proud of our catapult’s design. My partner and I took a risk in picking a more dynamic approach, but it ended up paying off when our catapult shot the farthest distance.
How did you develop and/or improve upon your 21st Century Skill with this assignment?
I needed to communicate and break up work. Usually, I prefer to work alone, however, this assignment allowed me to break that barrier and appreciate being on a team.
What was most difficult about completing this task?
The most difficult part of the assignment, for me, was constructing the catapult. It required a lot of precision and accurate measurement. This is the portion where I felt lucky to have a partner.
How could you improve this work? If you could start over, what would you do differently?
If I could redo this project, I would try to incorporate more documentation. I also might have tried to make our catapult larger.
How does this relate to what you have learned in the past?
We had been working on these equations during algebra. What surprised me was seeing the same/similar problems that we had previously learned in physics. Having the background knowledge especially helped on the test portion of the assignment.
Thanks, Mr. Murali :)
How can you apply this to future learning?
Well, if I ever wanted to be an aerospace engineer, I suppose these skills would come in handy. Otherwise, it was good to have the experience of working with an unfamiliar partner.
Name of Assignment: Webb vs Hubble Research Assignment
Subject: Physics
Facilitator/Teacher: Kris Murali
Description of Work/Assignment:
This research-based assignment required us to dive into the physics behind two of the most prominent space telescopes to date: the James Webb Space Telescope and The Hubble. After extensive research, students must make an educated guess as to which telescope is better.
Which 21st Century Skill do you feel this assignment addresses, and why?
I believe that this assignment best-addressed communication skills. From being clear in my content to presenting in class, this assignment was heavily communication-based.
What are you most proud of from this assignment, and why?
I’m most proud of my slideshow. I tried to pick something that was engaging throughout the entire duration of the presentation. Since many students were essentially presenting the same information, I wanted mine to stick out.
How did you develop and/or improve upon your 21st Century Skill with this assignment?
I was required to present in class. Doing so helped me become a better speaker and enunciate when presenting.
What was most difficult about completing this task?
The most difficult part about completing this task was finding accurate information on both telescopes. Many websites’ information differed based on their reliability. I found that NASA and other large organizations were the most reliable.
How could you improve this work? If you could start over, what would you do differently?
Redoing this project, I would probably try to find more information on the James Webb Space Telescope. Now that it has been in space for ample time, I believe there is more of a comparison to be made.
How does this relate to what you have learned in the past?
Working on astronomy in pair with physics was a fun period. I was glad to have the knowledge of the physics principles that went into building these telescopes.
How can you apply this to future learning?
The James Webb space telescope’s journey is just beginning. Learning about that telescope as time goes on will be beneficial to my studies in physics and simply my genuine interest.
Subject: Physics
Facilitator/Teacher: Kris Murali
Description of Work/Assignment:
This research-based assignment required us to dive into the physics behind two of the most prominent space telescopes to date: the James Webb Space Telescope and The Hubble. After extensive research, students must make an educated guess as to which telescope is better.
Which 21st Century Skill do you feel this assignment addresses, and why?
I believe that this assignment best-addressed communication skills. From being clear in my content to presenting in class, this assignment was heavily communication-based.
What are you most proud of from this assignment, and why?
I’m most proud of my slideshow. I tried to pick something that was engaging throughout the entire duration of the presentation. Since many students were essentially presenting the same information, I wanted mine to stick out.
How did you develop and/or improve upon your 21st Century Skill with this assignment?
I was required to present in class. Doing so helped me become a better speaker and enunciate when presenting.
What was most difficult about completing this task?
The most difficult part about completing this task was finding accurate information on both telescopes. Many websites’ information differed based on their reliability. I found that NASA and other large organizations were the most reliable.
How could you improve this work? If you could start over, what would you do differently?
Redoing this project, I would probably try to find more information on the James Webb Space Telescope. Now that it has been in space for ample time, I believe there is more of a comparison to be made.
How does this relate to what you have learned in the past?
Working on astronomy in pair with physics was a fun period. I was glad to have the knowledge of the physics principles that went into building these telescopes.
How can you apply this to future learning?
The James Webb space telescope’s journey is just beginning. Learning about that telescope as time goes on will be beneficial to my studies in physics and simply my genuine interest.