Your Goal Grade
Highlight the header for the column below to indicate which grade you plan to work toward in the course. Meeting the basic requirements for your chosen letter grade, according to the table below, is mandatory.
| A Work | B Work | C Work |
-Misses one class or less, or completes make-up work for excused absences -Annotates all readings thoroughly -Makes substantive comments in discussions -Completes all assignments on time (or has an approved extension request) -Work demonstrates intellectual engagement, care, effort, and growth in response to feedback -Collaborates substantially, contributes to vision, works equally with peers | -Misses two classes or less, or completes make-up work for excused absences -Annotates readings -Often participates in discussion -Completes all major assignments on time (or has an approved extension request) -Completes most SAs on time -Work demonstrates care, effort and growth in response to feedback -Collaborates equally, completes required work | -Misses three classes or less, or completes make-up work for excused absences -Completes most readings -Sometimes adds to discussion -Completes all major assignments on time (or has an approved extension request) -Completes at least four SAs -Meets minimal expectations on assignments; shows limited growth in response to feedback -Completes required collaborative work |
First-Week Introduction
Entering my second year of CODES, I have learned that each discussion and assignment has helped me build character and gain knowledge. This semester, I’m excited to further my knowledge and continue working in the community as we collaborate with our community partners. The goals I have chosen will help me stay structured and pour myself completely into my work. Each goal will help me unlock new skills and become a academic weapon.
Midterm Introduction
As many weeks have passed in the semester, learned how to improve in many different aspects.
Final Introduction
Course Goals
Goal 1(15%): Adapts and applies a deep understanding of multiple worldviews, experiences, and power structures while initiating meaningful interaction with other cultures to address significant global problems.
| What will you do to learn the content/ develop the skill? | What examples will you add to the portfolio to demonstrate your learning? | What characteristics of the chosen examples demonstrate you have met your goal? |
| I will use resources provided in class to develop a deep understanding of multiple world views. I will engage in class discussions to learn about multiple worldviews, cultures, and experiences .I will research to prepare for class discussions. I will use the assigned class book & connect it to different worldviews and experiences to get a different perspective from it. | Reflections Braiding Sweetgrass Scientist Spotlight Class discussions | I will attend and participate in class. As I read Braiding Sweetgrass throughout the semester, I will use the knowledge and point of view provided in the book & analyze it to gain an understanding of multiple worldviews and experiences. I will complete weekly reflections on time and answer questions fully. I will choose a topic for the group project that will allow me to analyze the problem presented through a global lens. |
Week 2 Reflection: Planting Sweetgrass Name: Sa’Dae Cooper
1. What is your favorite quote from this section, and why is this so memorable to you (100-word minimum)?
The quote I favor the most is from chapter two, “Children, language, lands: almost everything was stripped away, stolen when you weren’t looking because you were trying to stay alive.” This quote is so memorable to me because it talks about indigenous peoples and land being stolen. I feel as though not many people talk about the history behind stolen land. Most people focus on slavery or Christopher Columbus, but indigenous people were the first to go through mistreatment. I favor this because the author later goes on to explain how the effect of stolen land disrupted the harmony of the earth and the living and how it’s possible to live in harmony with nature and even land if it’s been stolen.
2. What does reciprocity look like in your culture? Provide specific examples (150-word minimum)
Reciprocity can manifest in various ways within my culture. Coming from an African American culture, I was raised upon the values of if someone does something for you, then you return the favor. The core value of having someone’s back, no matter what, especially if they’re friends and family. For example, something my grandma does with kids in her neighborhood is that in exchange for them going to the store for her or running errands for her, she gives them money or a home-cooked meal. This is just one of the many examples of how reciprocity looks in my culture. Another way that reciprocity looks in my culture is, for example, I was always taught that if you get in someone’s car, you give them gas money, so anytime I get in the car with someone, especially if they’re taking me somewhere, I give them gas money. Those are just two of the few examples of how reciprocity is represented in my culture.
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3. This section begins with the following quote: “Sweetgrass is best planted not by seed, but by putting roots directly in the ground. Thus, the plant is passed from hand to earth to hand across years and generations. Its favored habitat is sunny, well-watered meadows. It thrives on disturbed edges.” What does this mean to you? (150-word minimum).
This quote can be taken literally and metaphorically. I take the quote as, instead of forging your own path, you follow what is already inherited for you. Your path is already forged for you. Having a path already forged for you can come with generational wealth, traditions, values, and family. It means that even though you can start fresh, a seed is already planted and forged for you, more like what’s meant for you is meant for you, and you already have a destined future for you. The roots are the destiny that’s already forged for you, and you just follow those roots. “It thrives on disturbed edges” means to me that life has uncertainties, and with me being 19, sometimes I think my path that is forged isn’t destined for me. The quote connects to me because I’m on the edge of adulthood, trying to figure life and decisions out, but realizing growth happens, and it’s normal. As life grows, the roots do too,o but the roots will forever stick with you and grow as you do.
Goal 2(25%) : Accesses information using effective, well-designed search strategies and appropriate sources
| What will you do to learn the content/ develop the skill? | What examples will you add to the portfolio to demonstrate your learning? | What characteristics of the chosen examples demonstrate you have met your goal? |
| ·Collaborate with my research group to develop a research question/ hypothesis. Analyze various sources of evidence. · Using correct citation formats, double-checking, and authenticating all sources used. Use sources provided to me in class to access information. | Reflections Jigsaw Annotated Bibliography Scientist Spotlight Class discussions Group projects | I will use valid websites and proper citation formats, such as MLA. I will use our annotated bibliography to access information needed for our project. I will use the appropriate sources connected to the scientist spotlight so I can access the information needed to properly complete the assignment I will use the book Braiding Sweetgrass and use analytical skills to complete jigsaws and reflections. |
Goal 3(35%) : Identifies and evaluates multiple approaches for solving problems.
| What will you do to learn the content/ develop the skill? | What examples will you add to the portfolio to demonstrate your learning? | What characteristics of the chosen examples demonstrate you have met your goal? |
| Assess the issue before coming up with a solution to the problem. Solving problems within group work and the course. Being an active listener and looking a each perspective to later solve the problem | Reflections Pop Quiz 1 Class discussions Group projects Group work/task Jigsaw Prep | I will utilize problem-solving skills in class to help dissect topics raised in group discussions. I will use the scientific method to solve problems presented in group projects. I will evaluate the Jigsaws so I can identify different approaches to complete it. I will evaluate different approaches to solve the problems and questions presented on exams and quizzes While participating in class, I will use different approaches to solve problems or identify different factors. |
General Project Theme: Water Contamination
Project Idea 1: Measuring the difference in water contamination/water damage based on the distance from the sewage infrastructure & the houses in the Cahokia Heights area.
Proposed Research Question: (stated as a testable question)
How does the distance from living areas and the sewage infrastructure affect different homes in Cahokia Heights?
Proposed Hypotheses: (stated as mutually exclusive answers to your research question)
We hypothesize that homes closer to the sewage infrastructure will face more damage to their home. Houses that are further away from the infrastructure might face less damage or little to no damage.
Keywords: Infrastructure, homes, sewage, damage, and Cahokia
Found Review Articles: (list the citation and what it says about your topic)
- Articles state different chemicals and contaminants in drinking water that can impact human living and health.
Environmental Contamination Expert Witness | ForensisGroup
- Experts observe how environmental contamination affects the surrounding area and the Earth.
3. Talks about water contamination in Illinois and possible solutions
Over 400,000 Illinois residents at risk of water contamination, EPA warns | ksdk.com
4. Residents at risk of water contamination in Illinois and why
Found Research Articles: (list the citation and what it says about your topic)
SIUE and ISU Researchers Tackle Drinking Water Safety Across Illinois
- Students from SIUE and ISU are studying and tackling the issue of water contamination in Illinois
- A project shaped to help learn about water contamination and the environmental chemistry that goes along with contamination. Chemicals that are in the water and how it affects the area and residents.
Chemicals Found In IL Drinking Water Revealed In New Study | Across Illinois, IL Patch
Found SciComm Articles: (list the citation and what it says about your topic)
Cahokia Heights IL, tenants decry apartment conditions | Belleville News-Democrat
- Homes in Cahokia are having water damage, and residents are also facing neglect because it’s a lower-income neighborhood.
Residents across Missouri, Illinois picking up pieces after homes flooded | FOX 2
- The damage caused by flooding and the effect of water contamination, how it affects residents’ living situation and mental state.
Cahokia Heights Residents Demand Urgent Action Amid Sewage and Flooding Crisis
- Residents of Cahokia are fighting for their home and rights amidst the damage caused by flooding.
General Project Theme: Water contamination
Project Idea 2: Tracking the contaminants in the water after the sewer overflows in the southern Illinois and Missouri area
Proposed Research Question: (stated as a testable question)
Can rainfall increase the levels of contaminants in the water in Cahokia Heights?
Proposed Hypotheses: (stated as mutually exclusive answers to your research question)
If rainfall occurs, then the levels of microbial contaminants in surface water will increase within the next 24 hours, due to overflows and runoff contamination.
Keywords: contamination, water, microbial contaminants, Cahokia
Found Review Articles: (list the citation and what it says about your topic)
This article talks about how poorly maintained infrastructure, combined with heavy rainfall can create a serious contamination risk.
This article relates to my topic because it highlights systemic challenges that interact with rainfall contamination.
Found Research Articles: (list the citation and what it says about your topic)
This article covers microbial contamination from sewage overflows and health implications.
The article focuses on an investigation into E.coli found in a lake located in Missouri. It talks about how it affects local residents. This is bad because ,since the lake is contaminated, rainwater only increases the contamination by adding to it.
Found SciComm Articles: (list the citation and what it says about your topic)
What this article says about my topic is that heavy rainfall can move dangerous substances, including pathogens.
This article talks about a project that centers on Chemical EDCs which I believe is highly relevant to what I’m trying to research.
Goal 4(20%): Uses quantitative information to support arguments and draw logical conclusions. ‘
| What will you do to learn the content/ develop the skill? | What examples will you add to the portfolio to demonstrate your learning? | What characteristics of the chosen examples demonstrate you have met your goal? |
| Class lectures Analyze the data presented Collect all numbers and organize quantitative information | Research Report Group Pop Quiz Jigsaw Prep Reflections /Scientist spotlight Jigsaw Braiding Sweetgrass & worksheet Picking Sweetgrass Reflection | I will use all the information presented to draw conclusions I will use the scientific method and include quantitative information gathered. I will use Google Sheets to keep quantitative information organized during group projects so I can later use that information to support and draw conclusions. I will use research to gather quantitative information and then later use the information to support arguments and draw conclusions. I will use reflections/jigsaw worksheets to help draw logical conclusions after reading Braiding Sweetgrass. |
Scientist Spotlight
Overall, I enjoyed learning about Dr.Nina Jablonski; her work and research were very innovative and motivating. Dr. Jablonski uses her knowledge and research to bring together the wonders of science. The most interesting part was how big of a role UV exposure plays in skin color and skin pigmentation. Just as humans have evolved, the science behind skin color has also. The evolution of skin color was a vital part of the research in Dr. Jablonski’s work. Over time, skin color has evolved because of differing levels of UV. Regions with less UV on lighter skin facilitate more Vitamin D production. Vitamin D is essential for your skin and your health. With different human populations changing and evolving, so has skin color. Lighter and darker skin have different amounts of melanocytes. Humans having different skin colors is also due to natural selection and the environments in which humans evolved. Those things are just a few of the many things that I have learned from reading about Dr. Jablonski’s work. Jablonski’s background and past work show me that scientists have a true passion for what they do. It shows that studying and researching something takes a lot of skill, time, and environment. Science is done by smart, educated, hardworking, and curious individuals who want to get to know more. Reading this research had me curious, and I came up with questions of my own. A few questions I have are how the current environments humans live in affect their skin pigmentation? How can being educated correct misconceptions? How do different variants of genetic pigmentation change over time? And finally, what significantly changed about skin color during the evolution of humans?. Overall, learning about Dr. Jablonski’s work was very interesting and gave me a different perspective on skin color and race. It made me realize it’s way deeper than the misconceptions or stereotypes thrown around.
Goal 5 (5%): Connects and extends knowledge from academic study to civic engagement.
| What will you do to learn the content/ develop the skill? | What examples will you add to the portfolio to demonstrate your learning? | What characteristics of the chosen examples demonstrate you have met your goal? |
| Evaluate different assignments presented to you and connect various assignments and knowledge gained from academic studies to civic engagement. Using information presented in class and connecting it to the civic engagement we are currently doing. | Reflections Jigsaws Exam 1/Pop Quiz | My reflections will show how I’m able to extend knowledge by reflecting on information presented to me. The reflections will show my ability to connect academic study to civic engagement, for example, connecting Braiding Sweetgrass to my research project or ecology. |