What are we prepared for?

This is the first Action Project for our Humanities class, Equality. We covered a lot in this unit, specifically topics on race, sex, gender, and class, and the history of those throughout American society. We also learned about the meaning of the inequalities within these categories and key terms like racism, sexism, and classism. Some other notable things we went over were white privelage, white supremacy, the history of discrimination against people of color in America, feminism, toxic masculinity, disproportionate class inequalities, the trap of the "American dream", and America's obsession with wealth, greed, and consumerism. We had deep discussions about our thoughts, brainstormed ideas, asked questions, and overall, grew on our information and exploration of these topics. 

We also had a couple FEs - one from a border defense lawyer, and the other was a woman who taught us about Zines, which is what we ended up making for this project. On that note, for this project we were challenged with creating our very own Zines, focused around retelling an event or concept from the perspective of or in favor of a marginalized voice's point of view. I chose to talk about the history of gender discrimination in schools, and society's construct of Men and Women's roles. I also wanted to include how trans and non-binary people are treated because there are more than just two gender identifications. Below, you will see a GIF of my physical Zine and then it in a slideshow form. Enjoy!

My Zine:

MEM. Zine GIF. 2022 

I hope you enjoyed looking over my project! I also hope that you might have gained some insight as to how our schooling affects us going into society and the constructs that have been placed on us in the past and still today. Overall, I really did enjoy doing this project. This is a topic that I am passionate about and I liked researching, writing, and the process of creating and physically building the Zine. It was a little challenging to get started on what to write since there is so much to say about this topic, but once I got going, I feel that I made a pretty strong project. If I were to do things differently, I probably would have added more images or more appealing imagery, but all in all, I am happy with how it turned out. 

How's our Communication?

This is the first AP for our STEAM class, Social Entrepreneurship. In this unit, we dove into the psychology of companies, how they operate successfully, and how they build trust within their community. We learned about I-O psychologists, consultants, and SWOT analysis, and how they all contribute to problem-solving and the smooth functioning of companies. We even had a visit from a consultant, where she gave us in-depth insight into her work and how SWOT analysis works. We also learned about Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and the Tragedy of the Commons. This gave us a little bit of context as to how we function in our daily life, and how we can use it to be beneficial to humans as a whole. Learning all of this eventually led up to our Action Project, where we got to conduct our own SWOT analysis, to try to find a resolution to a problem we identified in our own school. Below, you will see the problem I identified and my SWOT analysis interviews. Enjoy!

How's our Communication?

For this project, I started thinking about what I wanted to improve about GCE. There wasn't much I was able to come up with because I was pretty happy with how things are currently going. I tried remembering my classmates and my past conversations about this topic because I knew we had talked about it before. Pretty quickly, communication came to mind. More specifically, the depth of the information in our weekly emails, information about FE's, and class schedules, and how I don't always feel like I am prepared enough with the information we are given. Once I figured out my topic, I started thinking about who I wanted to interview to perform my SWOT analyses. Our requirement was to interview 2 staff members, 1 classmate, and 1 non-classmate. I chose to interview my Junior year STEAM teacher (ACL) because I felt like he had been involved in the communication process before so I wanted to get his perspective, my current STEAM teacher (HK) because he is new this year and I also wanted to gain his perspective on how well he felt communication was for him, my classmate (CDH) because we had talked about this before, and my non-classmate friend (KH) because we had also talked about this topic before. I gathered a lot of very helpful information, as each interview was 15+ minutes, and I was able to condense it all into 4 individual SWOT analyses, and eventually, into one final one. Below, you will see a slideshow of everything I gathered. 

 

After conducting each interview, I had to start thinking about a resolution for this problem. Was there even one that was possible? I gathered a lot of different perspective solutions that ultimately inspired my own, but I definitely think there are many solutions to this. The main points that stood out to me were that we are a small school so we are easily adaptable and thus can implement new ideas pretty smoothly, however, being a small school also means that there limited resources in terms of staff. Many of the solutions that we came up with, would be difficult to implement because, with such a small team, someone would have to commit a lot of their individual time. Some of the best solutions I heard was a tier system of emails you could subscribe to; tier A and B - A being basic information (dates, events, etc), and B being a more in-depth email with explanations. The other was just where the basic information is bolded at the top of the email and then you can scroll down for the more in-depth information as you please. The problem is that many students don't even read the emails so someone would put in their time to write an in-depth email that half the school will pay no mind to. With the solution I came up with, I wanted to have a sort of 'middle-ground' between the ones from the interviews. 

My idea is to still continue weekly emails (at the end of the week or beginning) and put the more important and basic information (dates, events, timeline, future FEs, etc) in that email so students will be inclined to look it over. Then, for the students that want more specific information, there can be a link to the GCE website that takes you to a specific section that has everything you would ever want or need to know, written there. This would be easier so that as new information comes up, someone can just update it on the website instead of having to write a whole new email, and it is easier to have one designated space to find everything. That way, students won't have to overwhelm the teacher's resources and seek out different staff members, because it will all be accessible, avoiding the Tragedy of the Commons. 

Spooky Stories

For Fall Term, I decided to take the Podcasting workshop. I joined because I never really listened to them before, so I was interested in learning more about them, and eventually, making my own. Over the course of a couple months, we lead up to making our own Episodes, of whatever topic we wanted. I chose to read spooky stories from the book Ghosts of the White City because I was inspired by true crime podcasts that my friends listen to. I read a chapter that was about two brothers, in the 1800s, who owned a funeral parlor and who were conducting secret experiments in their basement. They would keep bodies, typically who had not been claimed by family, and the main goal of the experiments was to find a new way to preserve them, by turning them to stone. Below, you will be able to listen to my trailer for the Episode 1: The After Death Experiments.

GCE Lab School · Ghosts of the Windy City Podcast Trailer

Influential voices

This is the last AP of our Fall term Humanities class, Journalism. In this unit, we focused on the significance of people's voices, specifically those who have been influential in the past century. We also learned key terms that make up the characteristics of someone's voice, such as, pitch, rhythm, timbre, tempo, and volume. Then, we watched a series of videos by Ira Glass, a known radio personality, where he described common mistakes of beginner podcasters or radio show hosts, ways to tell a story and engage the audience, and he also critiqued one of his first shows. We also sampled writing our own transcripts from a popular podcast of choice, in preparation for this AP. For the project, our goal was to choose a voice that we personally felt inspired by, in the last century, and create a podcast talking about their impact on two other people. I decided to feature Freddie Mercury's voice in my podcast because his and Queen's (the band he was in) music has been a big part of my household growing up. For my interviews, my teacher gave me the cool idea to interview someone who was alive during his time (my other teacher) and someone who was a part of my generation (my brother). I think the audience of my podcast could be anywhere from people alive during his time to my generations' age because of how his relevance and impact are still prevalent. Below, you will see an image of Freddie's iconic performance at Live Aid in 1985 (which I talk about), and my podcast describing his importance. Enjoy!

Freddie Mercury

Freddie Mercury. Firstpost. 1985

Transcript

MM- Today we'll be talking about Freddie Mercury. I'd say he's probably one of the most influential voices of the 20th century. He was born in 1946 and then died in 1991, unfortunately, due to AIDS. But he he was one of the most incredible singers of his time and changed so much with his band, Queen, just with the music industry as a whole, creating individualism, I think, and changing the way the standard and not fitting in a box. They did their own thing and people loved it. And they're still very influential today.

MM- I think they're still very relevant, especially to my generation. So I interviewed two people about their thoughts. One person was alive during the time that Freddie was and then the other is my younger brother, so kind of trying to get perspectives on the two divides in generation. So today I'm going to ask you some questions about Freddie Mercury.

ACL- Wonderful.

MM- So you lived when he was an artist. Well, when he was still alive. And do you remember the first time you heard about him or, like, listened to his music?

ACL- I don't remember the first time off the top of my head, but I'm imagining was probably on MTV. I grew up and MTV was a big social phenomenon, cultural phenomenon. So definitely, I would imagine I heard his songs or Queen songs on MTV. I probably saw some of their music videos.

MM- Because they were very different from a lot of artists that had been singing before. Do you remember feeling some sort of impact or, like, how did it impact you? How different they were from other people?

ACL- Yeah, that's a tough one, because full disclosure, I wasn't alive for a lot of their career. I was born in 85, so I was still very young, maybe in some of their biggest days. But I think even with some of their music videos, there's, like cross dressing and things and some of their songs maybe give you hints that they're kind of going beyond. So obviously, they're extremely talented. But even their performance at that big festival, I can't remember the name, but you probably know what I'm talking about.

ACL- The famous one that was in that movie as well. I could tell that they were kind of a little bit different. And Freddie Mercury, as a front man, is a little bit different. There's definitely a big sort of cultural phenomenon of like Freddie Mercury and what he represented and what he went up against and everything he did, like in the face of all this scrutiny and things. So I think over the years has become more apparent, at least for me of my early age, I was just like, this is great music, that's all that matters.

ACL- But I think as I got older, as I was performing music and cover bands and playing it with friends at different shows and venues and things, it became pretty clear that no, this is bigger than just the music. This is about what it represents, what they're fighting for, kind of that sense of their role models for a lot of people. And I think a lot of people look to Freddie and the rest of the band for, like, inspiration, especially when they're going through rough times, which I think is pretty awesome.

MM- Yeah.

MM- Thank you so much.

ACL- You're very welcome.

MM- Hello.

OM- Hello.

MM- So I'm here to interview you about Freddie Mercury, because I know you are a big fan of Queen, and you went through a little what's that song? Another one bites the dust phase where you would play that all the time. Yeah. My first question is, since you were not alive during the time of Queen and Freddie Mercury's influence, how do you feel like it is influencing you now being part of almost two generations later?

OM- I feel like I'm a part of the culture, if that makes sense, because a lot of the songs I listen to are of that generation, and it's interesting to hear the music and to see how it still is relative. Like, some of the songs are like, about inequality and stuff and how that's still around and others are about peace and things like that and people can still relate to it.

MM- Yeah.

OM- It's like something people can still relate to, and it's interesting to look back and you're like, oh, this song must have been made recently because the events are somewhat the same. And you see, they're made in, like, the 60s or 70s or whatever. I don't know. I just think that's interesting. And then Freddie, I just love his music. He's a really good singer, and my friend showed me the music, and I don't know, I liked it. Yeah.

MM- I definitely think Freddie's voice is a unique voice that I feel like hasn't been replicated since his time. And he did things that a lot of other singers couldn't do and opened up. I think the music industry to being what it is today with a lot of, like, I don't know, just more free spirit and individualism. And, like, not fitting a box.

OM- I do believe they actually created their own genre of music, too, which is very interesting.

MM- Yeah.

MM- Well, thank you for coming here today.

OM- Short and sweet, right. 

MM- Ow.

Our own Chapter

This is the last AP of our Fall term STEAM class, Econ. In this unit, we dove into the fundamentals of economics, and especially the concepts of a Circular Economy. The main basis for our coursework was the book Doughnut Economics, by 21st-century economist, Kate Raworth. The book is essentially about the economic Doughnut model, which, "...balances between essential human needs and planetary boundaries". The book outlines, "7 Ways to Think Like a 21st-Century Economist," each implemented into their own chapter. We also visited Plant Chicago, which helped us understand the Circular Economy, using Aquaponics. In preparation for this project, we were assigned groups and we each read, summarized, and presented our own chapters. So, after understanding how the book is structured and the substance in the chapter we read, our goal for this project was to create the beginnings of an 8th chapter. I chose to build off of Chapter 3 in the book, which was called "Nature human Nature". Below, you will see my summary and commentary for the beginning of my 8th chapter, "Change your Behavior". Enjoy!

Change your Behavior 

Chapter 8 model. Noun project. 2021

    Have you ever stopped to really think about your behavior throughout the day? All of the choices you made, conversations you had, and actions you performed? Or in this case, environmentally, all of the trash you passed on the street that you paid no mind to, every wrapper, cup, utensil, straw, or disposable item you used, that you carelessly discarded? There are many ways that we need to change our behaviors, in order to support our environment for the future. In Chapter 3, there was mention of an economic model that needs to change, now we need to use economics to change the environment. We need to spar away from our own self-interest and start to act in the interest of other people, or at least create a balance between the two. We also need to change the way we consume, produce, dispose of, problem-solve, and much of our current capitalistic system. Instead of an “every man for himself” ideal, we need to adopt an “everyone helps everyone” mindset. Much of what we have now, are short-term fixes, but we need to support long-term ideas. There are so many systems that are already in place that run on using, reusing, and recycling energy, resources, food, clothes, etc. it is just about taking what we already have and putting it on a bigger scale.

    In Chapter 3, we talked about our current economic model, Homo economicus. It included how the model affects us, and how it will affect us in the future, if we do not change our actions. Kate Raworth said, “There are, most likely, going to be more than 10 billion of us by 2100. If we head towards that future continuing to imagine, conduct, and justify ourselves as Homo economicus- solitary, calculating, competing, and insatiable- then we stand little chance of meeting the human rights of all within the means of our living planet”. This introduces us to how we need to change our ‘norm’ for our environment. One person that we can seek inspiration from is Gary Becker. He started the work, changing what we thought about economic decisions from investment-based incentives to self-interested behavior. Now, we can take it one step further, and start to incorporate acting in the interest of others, instead of just ourselves, which you can see in the model above. In order to do this, new incentives, appeals, and resources need to be implemented. To start with some of these appeals, there are many statistics about waste. According to SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production), there is an average of 7.3 kilograms of electronic waste per capita, but only 1.7 is recycled. Additionally, in the United States alone, there are over 108 billion pounds of food waste, 17million tons of textile and clothing waste, and 292.4 million tons of other solid waste produced each year.

Sources 

EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/national-overview-facts-and-figures-materials#:~:text=The%20total%20generation%20of%20municipal,25%20million%20tons%20were%20composted. 

“Gary Becker's Concept of Human Capital.” The Economist, The Economist Newspaper, https://www.economist.com/schools-brief/2017/08/05/gary-beckers-concept-of-human-capital. 

“Goal 12 | Department of Economic and Social Affairs.” United Nations, United Nations, https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal12 

Raworth, Kate. “Nurture Human Nature.” Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st-Century Economist, Random House Business Books, London, 2018.

The Meaning behind Life

This is the second AP for our Humanities class, Journalism. This unit was all about photography and how photos can have more meaning behind them than just the image. We learned about how to take photos, key terms like aperture, shutter speed, and the Rule of Thirds, and how to analyze the images. For this AP, we used what we learned to interview someone of our choice, asking them their definition of the meaning of life. We then captured an image that we thought might best show the meaning behind our interview. Below, you will see who I interviewed, the photo I captured, and their definition. Enjoy! 

The Meaning behind Life

What is the meaning of life? It is a concept that is very hard to define and many people spend their whole life seeking an answer. However, nobody will ever be able to give a true definition because it is purely subjective and individual to each person and their experiences. So, on this quest to attempt to define the meaning of life, I asked myself what would be the best way to figure it out, and so I decided to interview my mom. I thought that someone who had gone through as many experiences as her, and someone who is a mother - who has given life - might know the meaning of life. 

My mom is the most important woman in my life. She has influenced me immensely throughout my years, and I have so much more to learn from her still. She was born on December 25, 1971, and she had me 32 years later. Ever since then, we have never been separated and we have had a very close relationship. 

I always admired my mother ever since I was young. Especially when my siblings were born, I thought it was the most spectacular thing - how one person could grow a baby and then give life. And through observing that gift of life, it then always made me wonder, what was the meaning? 

I sat down with my mom, already knowing I had questions. Three main questions came to mind at that moment, but I know that just 3 questions will never be the full amount that I have. 

We started by talking about how life is a special thing that many take for granted. She pointed out how there is so much to be thankful for and so much privilege in just simply being healthy. After talking for a couple of minutes, I decided to lead with my question of what the meaning of life is, and ask supporting questions after. 

She pondered for a moment, trying to formulate her answer. As she was thinking, she was looking down at the floor for a minute, so I knew she had her answer when she slowly looked up at me. Simply, she stated,  "Everybody has a purpose and that purpose is why you were put on this earth, so the meaning of life is to fulfill that purpose". I thought this was interesting because I do believe everyone has a purpose but just like the question of the meaning of life, I don't think anyone can truly define their purpose either. So, I liked the correlation between the question and the answer's theme. 

I know my mom has always been perceptive and has had good intuiion her whole life. She had talked to me before about having 'visions' or premonitions about her future and present times going on in her life, so when I inquired about any specific moments she might remember being the cause of her definition, her answer didn't surprise me. She explained that when she was 5 years old, she had a vision about her life and that her calling would be to help people. She then recalled that everything she did from then on, she was always happiest when she was making a difference in people's lives and helping them reach their full potential.  

We then went on to talk about living life without consequences and the difference between what it feels like to not live in fear. One of the biggest things she taught me was that, in her words, "when it is your time, it's your time". In that instance, she is talking about death but I also think it can apply to other situations of taking risks that aren't as dangerous. She doesn't mean to be reckless and do dangerous things, but she meant it to be more of a lesson to live freely and without holding back. This has helped me throughout my life, and especially more recently. I have not been as afraid as I used to be. 

This lead to my final question, which was, "What is the best thing about your life currently"? I tried not to smile as I looked at her, because I knew the answer. She gave me a small smile back as she spoke the words, "my children". She had wanted kids all her life, and she explained how someone had once told her that one of the best ways to make a difference in the world, was doing a good job at raising her kids. She has always tried to show us the best versions of ourselves, and allow us to grow into our own, as we slowly become adults. Heartfeltedly, she menitoned how now that we're starting to grow up, she loves every moment of seeing who we've turned into and how much of what that person said, was true. 

MEM. KT and Kids. 2021

The image I chose to take of my mom was her holding pictures of my siblings and I, when we were younger. I decided to have her holding pictures instead of taking the picture with us because I wouldn't be able to be in it, and I thought it said more to see her 'holding' us and showing us in a physical photograph. I used the Rule of Thirds by having her directly in the center of the image and by the photographs being almost symmetrically to the side, framing her. I took the photo with a medium shutter speed because she wasn't moving and a larger aperture to make her the focus and to blur the background. 

Future Endeavors

 

MEM. Introduction. 2021

          

Completing this Action Project was a very surreal process for me. I had thought about college before but never as seriously as this. In the past, it had always been a few years away, so when I thought about it, I could usually dismiss it when I got overwhelmed. However, since it is my reality next year, I couldn't do that this time. I started to get a little stressed realizing how much living on my own and paying for school would cost. My mind would immediately go to, "This is next year, how am I going to do this? I can't pay for all of this". My main concern was paying back student loans and making sure I made enough in my profession, so as I started to complete my calculations, things calmed down a bit when I realized that it was possible. I am glad I have some plan for my future with my decision to go with UIC over UChicago, and I am excited to see where my future leads me! Thank you for reading!