Student Work #3: Pre-Algebra Quiz 5

           Student Work #3: Pre-Algebra Quiz 5

For my final piece of student work I had posted my Pre-Algebra Quiz 5 for an important reason. This is because in comparison to my first quiz, I had slacked off a bit and showed my ego in this class was getting the better from me. I had gone from 100% to 80%, because I thought I was ''smart'' and that I did not need study for this quiz what so ever. WRONG! Any hardworking student always practices to achieve the best, it does not just come to them unless you are extremely blessed. But most things in life you have to work for, so this piece of work was definitely a wake up call and reminded me to start picking up the pace and not to slack off. It definitely lighted a fire under me, and showed my progression if you let your ego get the best of you.

Student Work #2: Biology Quiz 1

              Student Work #2: Biology Quiz 1

   My second piece of work is my first Quiz on Biology. It makes me proud to know I got a B, above passing, because it shows that I am getting the concept to a certain level. It motivates me to study a little bit harder to try to achieve an A. I did study hard for this and made myself a very useful study guid in preparation of this chapter. I recognized most things on this quiz except two questions pertaining to content I didn't know. It just gave me a sense of urgency to study everything, but that I am getting there. Basically, this displays I am progressing in the right direction for Biology. 

Student Work #1: Pre-Algebra Quiz #2

          Student Work #1: Pre-Algebra Quiz #2

The first example of my work that I had posted was Quiz #2 from my Pre-Algebra course. I am very proud of my score, which was 100% for many reasons. I had studied really hard for this quiz, I had practiced many times in preparation for this quiz. As well as, not many else people prepared for this, so doing good was a big ego boost. It proved to me that with my hard work in this class I can accomplish what some people won't/can't. It makes me feel very proud to know I am developing deeper math skills that I did not know that I even possessed in the first place, and gave me the sense to work harder in math.

Student Performance event

             Student Performance Event

The student performance event I had attended was the Co-Ed Basketball finals on campus. It was pitted down between Team A and Team B. Both teams had insane talent on both ends, and it had boiled down to one final match up. Team A was more of a jump shooting team, where Team B was more power focused. Throughout the whole game it was evenly matched with the score being even up until the final quarter. Team A and Team B had been trading baskets, with some very tough defense. In quarter 4, Team A had started going on a tear when it came to the rim. Team B's defense didn't have a chance at all when it came to offense. Team A had also shutdown the power that came from Team B which had become primarily a one man team. But that one player had led a charge back to try to win the game, but something crazy had happened that not even the movies could have predicted. That one player just as he had almost scored, the center from Team B had swatted the ball to oblivion to win the game. The score was 107-106, with Team A taking the crown as intramural champs of basketball at NDNU. It was definitely a nail biter throughout, and kept me on my toes guessing what was going to happen next. I would have definitely reccomend more people to come out and witness a crazy game. The experience had showed me a lot about the ''average'' students skill when it came to basketball, and meant a lot to me because as a basketball fan I had enjoyed it throughout.

Student Life Activity

                          M.S.A. Meeting (Student Life)

I had attended the very first M.S.A. (Muslim Student Association) meeting on Sept. 14th. It was the first communal meeting in honor of the Islamic holiday Eid Al-Adha. There were many muslim community leaders, as well as NDNU staff and students. We had learned about the many traditions that surround such a holy holiday. We had played various Islamic theme games and won a lot of really cool prizes. We had been giving some tasty food from the Middle East accompanied with some hot tea. The event was very meaningful and a spiritual one at that. This because as a Muslim, I always celebrate Eid-Al Adha and it was really nice this university had recognized something sacred to me. I am a very religious Muslim man who values his faith, so thus this event bears so much meeting. I would definitely recommend this to other human beings to gain proper knowledge on Islam, since many people have an incorrect understanding. They can learn and yield so much knowledge straight from Muslims themselves! They can also understand sacred Islamic holiday, and have fun while doing it.      

Social Justice Speaker Series

       For the Social Justice Series on November 17th, we had attended a speech held by former member of San Mateo County Board of Supervisors: Rose Jacobs Gibson. She had served and put a lot of effort into serving the San Mateo County. Rose Jacobs Gibson hard worked hard to insure that any injustices would be promptly corrected for the community sake. This relates directly to NDNU's Hallmark 4: ''We commit ourselves to community service''. Although her tenure of 14 years of serving the community is over on paper, she is still find and working for the San Mateo County still. Her moving speech had revealed a lot to all of us listening to her. We had understood the qualities that primarily make her: leadership and passion. She is a leader in her community looking for reform in aspects that are not of justice, and she carries a lot of passion, showing a lot of love to those struggling. Which is why I can relate to her, I feel as though I am a leader and passionate. I am a leader by example, my actions speak louder than my words for change. I do not just say words, I try to act upon it by any means. I also am very passionate, I show my care and love for the community by trying to serve those who are underprivileged. I found her speech very captivating, from her story to her work in the community. I also found her to be a person of so much wisdom and knowledge that I felt as though I had to ask a question. My question pertained to the reluctancy of voters in 2016's election. She had given me her background and ideas on why, and through her lens I soon understood why. All in all, Rose Jacobs Gibson has been a major key in social justice, and community service in the San Mateo County. 

Freshman Research Conference

               Freshman Research Conference

I had learned many major keys at NDNU’s Freshman Research Conference, especially from our project socially, and academically. Ironically, we had learned about Collaborative/Co-operative learning via the process of ‘’Co-operative’’ learning. Working together in sub-groups of our class, we had learned various aspects of this dynamic. As a team and moreover a class, we started grasping the concepts of application, and data of Collaborative/Co-operative learning.

When It came down to the other presentations from the other classes in our pod, I feel like I did not learn as much. But this was due to one main factor: stress of our own presentation as a whole. I feel as though I was way too concerned on the organization, content, and speaking of our own project to be attentive to others. Even after our presentation, I spent time in reflection on our presentation. So I cannot give a clear examination of how the other presenters were and their presentation. But I did hear many terms fly around, and repetitively when they were being presented. Even though I did not do any investigating or looking into, the word ‘Altruism’ and ‘Happiness’ were used extensively. Overall, the conference in a general sense, taught me a lot about teamwork and the concept of Collaborative/Co-operative learning in many ways.

Reminiscing on Call to Action Day

                                            

                          Reminiscing on Call to Action Day

                  Call to Action Day is an annual event at Notre De Namur, where all members of the university aid the surrounding communities in a manner of education. This year within our freshman seminar, we had brought with us bright-young students from Ravenswood School to the Marine Science Institute to guide them and learn more marine biology. I personally learned, and appreciated the education we all had been blessed with at this university as we had helped the young students from neighboring Palo Alto. This activity gave me the opportunity to connect with the students in our area who may not be as advantaged, at an academic and a human level as we had gone through the various stations. Even though this was my first activity with community engagement in education, I plan on doing more just based off that day. It was a great privilege to learn and teach along these students. This memory at the Marine Science Institute rekindled my value for education as some students may not have it the same as myself.    

Fixed vs. Growth mindset

                     Fixed v. Growth Mindset

I believe in general I do not have that many to no aspects of a fixed mindset in general. I've always been a person of a 'growth' mind state.  I always liked challenging myself, and seeing my progression whether it was academics, sports, or character. But the one area I feel as though I do have a fixed mindset is standardized testing. I always held firm that I am not usually the best in those circumstance, so I just limit myself. I never give up, but when It comes to standardized testing I get easily discouraged which reflects in some of my scores. I feel like I can fix it by appreciating the process of studying for it, accepting failure, and being more eager to succeed. I can challenge myself with practices of standardized testing so I can be ready next time I take one. I can also help others by sitting down and practicing these tests with them in my spare time, so they can also have a more 'growth' state of mind. We can sit down and tutor each other in terms of standardized testing. That is how I would go about expanding mine and others mind set to a more growth one than a fixed. 

Marine Science Community Engagement

                                           

                      Marine Science Community Engagement

                                                            (Hallmark 4)

 Community service is a integral part of the Notre Dame De Namur tradition. As Hallmark four illustrates for us: 'We commit ourselves to community service'. Ranging back from it's foundation in France during the French Revolution, when the sisters would aid the destitute villages with proper education. Then, To Sr. Dorothy Stang's mission of proper education and upholding the dignity of the community starting from across the barren areas of the United States, to the rural parts of the Amazon in Brazil. Then now to the modern day Notre Dame De Namur community keeping this hallmark in a dynamic state. A primary example of this is our upcoming engagement with Ravenswood Elementary in Palo Alto. Palo Alto's school district has been hit with a limited exploration in the field of science for children to focus more on English and Mathematics. This community engagement allows us students, with a science or upper-education background, to interact with students with a thirst for science who have been deprived of it. It is a perfect opportunity to give back to a community that is seeing a lack of science in recent years, with practical learning on the marina of Redwood City. This practical education or 'hands on learning', allows for the information they learn on our engagement to live on in the imaginations and hearts of Palo Alto's future. This particular community engagement resonates with me, and illuminates my mind with learning experiences masked as childhood memories. I can remember a time in my elementary days going to the cornfield in midst of autumn season, learning from farmers and their distinct methods of agriculture. All in all, community service is a core tradition of the Notre Dame De Namur community, and this community engagement is a perfect opportunity to showcase the world this fact.