Introduction:
Hello, my name is Kyra Williams, and I am currently a sophomore at SIUE, navigating through the eighth week of classes. As we enter midterms week, a notably challenging period for college students, I wanted to share some insights into my experiences this semester.
My research team and I have engaged in significant foundational work, focusing primarily on our implementation plan at the Garden. At the beginning of the academic year, we collaborated with our research professor to outline our objectives for the next sixteen weeks. Throughout this process, we have found great value in our meetings outside of class, where we discuss the legacy we aim to create at the Gardens.
However, one of the challenges we have encountered is the scope of our final project and ensuring that all team members align in one vision and goals. Despite these hurdles, I am optimistic about our progress and the impact of our work.
As I reflect on my experiences this semester, I realize how much growth and learning have occurred, both academically and personally. Looking back, I am proud of the work I’ve done with my research team on our implementation plan at the Garden, which has been central to my learning this semester. From the beginning, we worked closely with our research professor to set clear objectives for the semester. These goals provided us with a strong foundation, but it’s been the meetings outside of class that have really allowed us to dive into the deeper purpose of our project—creating a lasting legacy at the Gardens.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this experience has been the sense of collaboration and shared responsibility within our team. Despite the challenges we faced, particularly in terms of aligning our visions and goals for the final project, we have managed to stay focused and adaptable. It hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve learned how important it is to communicate openly and work through differences of opinion. These moments of difficulty have, in many ways, strengthened our ability to work together as a team.
Looking ahead, I feel optimistic about the impact of our work. The insights gained from our mentors, the time spent in the garden, and the lessons learned from overcoming obstacles have all contributed to my personal and academic development. As the semester concludes, I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a meaningful project, and I am excited to continue learning and growing in the semesters to come.
Goal 1A (25%)
Demonstrates ability and commitment to collaboratively work across and within community contexts and structures.
I initially selected this goal because the work we are undertaking with the Gardens serves as an exemplary representation of its principles. Throughout this semester, we have placed a significant emphasis on collaborative efforts with our garden partners, fostering a deeper level of engagement and teamwork. A considerable portion of our work required us to extend our efforts beyond the confines of scheduled class time, ensuring that all tasks were completed thoroughly and with precision. Whether our collaboration took place in person at the garden or through email correspondence, we gained invaluable insights and knowledge from our mentors this semester. Compared to previous semesters, the depth of learning and practical experience we garnered from these interactions has been notably more profound and enriching.
I am not exactly sure how I can you show visually that these things occurred yet.
Goal 2 (25%)
Critical & Creative Thinking
Critical and creative thinking are two very important skills to have in a group. This semester focused a lot on group work like most of our semesters have, with that being said I think me and my group have acquired some new skills. I chose to show this specific visualization because it shows that I took the time to thoroughly think out exactly what we wanted to do for our final implementation plan.
Goal 4C (25%)
Applies knowledge and skills to implement sophisticated, workable solutions to address complex global problems using interdisciplinary perspectives
To demonstrates my ability to apply knowledge and skills toward sophisticated, workable solutions for complex global problems, I have chosen to showcase the “Dear Sean” letter that me and my research group collaboratively developed. This project presented several challenges, particularly in terms of effective collaboration and integrating diverse perspectives. However, we navigated these difficulties and successfully crafted and presented the letter as a cohesive team.
In this process, I took on the responsibility of writing the introductory paragraph, which required me to synthesize our collective ideas into a compelling opening. This experience underscored the importance of communication and adaptability in interdisciplinary teamwork. Moving forward, I aim to enhance my ability to incorporate feedback and contribute to our shared goals, ultimately leading to more impactful solutions to the complex challenges we are currently addressing.
Goal 13A (25%)
written communication
I have chosen to include my reflections and the grading rubric to provide a clear framework for assessing my progress for this goal. Written communication is a crucial skill, not only for academic success but also for a professional development. I hope to refine my writing style, enhance my clarity of expression, and develop a more compelling voice as the semester continues on. By actively engaging with feedback and reflecting on my writing practices, I aim to achieve measurable improvements that will benefit my overall academic performance and future career endeavors.
Goal 12A (25%)
Helps collaboration move forward by articulating the merits of alternative ideas
Though I do not have any artifacts to show here. I can say that this goal is still in the works, and with working with my group to define the issues we currently have and creating some solutions for those issues. Or sometimes this might look like being quiet and letting someone else step up to lead, instead of me doing everything or the majority of stuff. I hope to have artifacts by the end of week fourteen.
Now that we are in Week 15, I can reflect on the progress my group and I have made throughout the semester. I chose this particular goal because, at the beginning of the semester, we faced some challenges with both communication and collaboration, which are two critical aspects of a successful group project. To show this goal I have chosen our final Implementation plan presentation.