significant learning experiences
This page showcases some of my projects and experiences throughout my educational journey.
HONH-200
Honors contract proposal
This project involved the creation of a possible proposal for an honors contract. I drafted my actual proposal for my Introduction to Public Health class this semester. This project allowed me to learn the proper techniques and guidelines to follow well actually completing my first honors contract. Without this project, I wouldn't have known what I needed to include in my proposal and may have gotten my proposal rejected.
HONH-200
group project
The group project in HONH-200 was a project in which every group chose a cognitive bias to present on. My group chose the sunk cost fallacy. We created a meaningful presentation showing how to address the sunk cost fallacy in relation to your educational career. This project strengthened my interpersonal skills and communication skills as I worked with new people in a professional environment.
HONH-200
I am statement
The I-am statement was an assignment in which I was to write about who I am through my values, volunteering, and goals. Writing this statement allowed me to partake in self-reflection. This self-reflection made me realize that while I am actively participating in my community, I can always be more involved.
HONH-200
I want to become statement
The I want to become statement was both a reflection on the I am statement and the creation of a new statement. This new statement declared what I as both a human and a student wish to accomplish and become. Through this project I was able to set long- and short-term goals that have helped me choose new engagement opportunities.
first year science apprenticeship (FYSA)
DR. Randalls lab
FYSA is an engaged learning experience in which you are assigned to a research laboratory. I have been working with Dr. Randall in his lab about Arabidopsis dehydrins response to cold stress via germination experiments. This apprenticeship has taught me a plethora of laboratory skills, as well as how to work independently. All of my work is self-performed and the weekly lab meetings allow for collaboration with others.
Good news ministires clinic
Medical Scribing
Through IUI's VIDA (volunteer initiatives domestic and abroad) I became a medical scribe. I perform my scribing at a local clinic through the Good News Ministries. This work has taught me how to work efficiently and with supervisors. I work with Dr. Weiser and each appointment lasts, at a maximum 15 minutes making speed and accuracy a top priority.
Mystery yeast genetics lab
The mystery yeast lab was a genetics lab in which a strain of yeast was found to have a conditional mutation. Using minimal media and full supplement plates, it was determined that the mutation was in the production of one of the nucleotides. We were then asked to create our own experiment to identify which nucleotide the mutation was affecting. For this, my lab partner and I plated the yeast on four minimal media plates. Each plate was supplemented with a different combination of nucleotides, leaving out one nucleotide on each plate. The idea was that if the yeast didn’t grow on a plate, then whatever nucleotide was not supplemented in the plate, is the nucleotide with a mutation. With this experimental plan, we were able to identify that the conditional mutation was in the production of Adenine. This lab aimed to improve our teamwork, collaboration, and innovation skills.
This lab provided me with a plethora of new skills and learning opportunities. Firstly, I was challenged to create my own procedure and hypothesis. This is a difficult task as I have never completed a lab without clear instructions. I believe that learning how to design my experiment was extremely valuable to me. I was able to understand the purposes of the lab on a deeper level. Furthermore, I learned about the importance of asking questions and using resources efficiently. We were only allotted a certain number of resources and were expected to create a successful experiment with them. To ensure this, I had to ask a lot of clarifying questions, which is a great skill to have. Overall, creating an experimental design on my own allowed me to strengthen my problem-solving skills, collaboration abilities, and deepened my understanding of the lab.
These skills will certainly help me in the future. I have already used many of them as I designed another experiment in a chemistry lab. I plan to try and understand the labs more in the future because it has helped me to be more successful. I also believe that asking questions will allow me to better understand expectations and how I can succeed in both an academic way and a professional standpoint. The rest of my academic career will only build on the foundations that I have learned thus far, and I am positive that I will continue to use the skills I have learned.
In terms of the learning objectives of the Indiana University Indianapolis campus, I have certainly improved. Problem-solving is a skill that I believe can always be improved. This lab allowed me to problem-solve my way through designing and creating an entire laboratory plan and procedure. I have never taken on a challenge this large before and found myself struggling to fit a plan that worked with the few resources we were allowed. In the end, we found a successful plan by using our problem-solving skills such as collaboration and asking questions. Furthermore, I strengthened my innovation skills during this lab. I was simply given a list of resources and told to be creative in whatever procedure I came up with. I certainly had to be innovative and creative to come up with a plan. I was able to think outside of the box and am hopeful that I will continue to find new ways to think about my academics.