DP Post #1

The best way to describe how my brain learns is that it behaves like a forest where trees grow close together, often intertwining. When I learn something new, it’s as if a new tree is planted. That tree then actively searches for neighboring connections in the other memories I have stored away. I tend to think about similarities to previously learned information or personal experiences as a way to help me truly comprehend any new piece of knowledge.

I believe that my brain’s natural pattern seeking process is why I’ve always loved studying multiple different sciences simultaneously. Although I’m majoring in physics, I continue to teach myself chemistry, biology, and statistics on the side. Discovering links between the different sciences both enhances my understanding and strengthens my memory of all of them. This is supported by Carey’s claim that “the connections between cells, called synapses, thicken with repeated use, facilitating faster transmission of signals”. The more I think about things I previously learned, the better I remember them in the future. I enjoy letting my mind wander from topic to topic in search for bridges between seemingly unrelated ideas. Speaking out loud and creating visuals for myself expedites this process and keeps me focused on the lightbulb moment that I am looking for.

If it isn’t obvious already, I’m almost always deep in thought. Beyond academic pursuits, I dedicate a significant amount of time to understanding myself. Having a strong moral compass and my own opinions is important to me, which is why I often self-reflect. As new life experiences are planted into my brain in the form of memories, my understanding of who I am is slightly adjusted. This self-awareness helps me integrate new information with my own beliefs, making my understanding of complex concepts more personal.

My interest in politics and the social sciences is where my intrapersonal intelligence becomes most evident. When exposed to differing perspectives, I find that my brain evaluates them against my own to assess how they align with or challenge my values. As you may expect, this makes me the type of person to always think deeply before I speak or write. It should come as no surprise, then, that others have described me as being “slow” and “quiet”. While many view those descriptors as flaws, I’ve come to view them as strengths that enable my brain to function the way it does best.

Peer Presentation Feedback – Jargon Translation Project

Group 4

Audience: Backup dancers concerned about their health

Topic: Relating traditional and academic ecological knowledge: mechanistic and holistic epistemologies across cultures

Question: Do you believe that AEK and TEK are both equally important? Does the overreliance on just one method result in the other one being undermined?

Appeal to their chosen audience: The mind and body connection would appeal to backup dancers. AEK and TEK can be applied to the practices that backup dancers use to better their health.

Glow: I liked the aesthetics of the slides and I think the content was effectively simplified into something more understandable for the audience. There were lots of images and bullet points, so people weren’t just reading off slides. The speaking parts were also split up well.

Grow: Some group members were nervous, which made the audience lose interest a bit. I would suggest more practice and just remembering to breathe.

Group 6

Audience: Middle school students taking the state science test

Topic: The end of science? On human cognitive limitations and how to overcome them

Question: How much can technology reasonably help us overcome cognitive limits, considering that we create technology ourselves?

Appeal to their chosen audience: Relating the topic to video games and using metaphors is what made the topic relevant and appealing to middle schoolers.

Glow: The design of the slides, concept of the presentation, and the language used were all perfect for the audience.

Grow: The presentation was very long and some people spoke much longer than others. Rehearsing beforehand would help ensure that everyone is speaking for about 2 minutes.

Group 3

Audience: Middle school students taking the state science test

Topic: FAK regulates dynein localisation and cell polarity in migrating mouse fibroblasts

Questions: How can this understanding of FAK’s function be used to further medicinal technologies?

Appeal to their chosen audience: The simple explanations and relevant images make the presentation appealing to middle schoolers.

Glow: The group presented cohesively and there was a clear flow to the presentation. For the most part, the topic was simplified well enough to make it digestible for the audience. The visuals used were also great.

Grow: Some of the presenters could have spoken louder and clearer. Other than that, I don’t have any notes.

Group 5

Audience: Parents who have to help their high school students study for an AP test

Topic: Evolutionary insights from mesostigma viride: How plants got to land

Questions: None

Appeal to their chosen audience: The parents would be interested in learning about the topics that the students have to learn for the AP test.

Glow: I loathe biology and environment science, but I thought this topic was explained in a way that made it somewhat interesting. It was straightforward and the explanations all made sense.

Grow: Visuals could definitely be improved because the slides seemed a bit chaotic and the text was often way too small. Better organization on the slides would help people follow along with the content.

Group 2

Audience: Middle school students taking the state science test

Topic: Laser and ultrasonic root canals study guide

Questions: How common are both procedures?

Appeal to their chosen audience: It gives middle schoolers a clear understanding of root canals, a topic that may show up on their science test.

Glow: Good visuals and explanations of the topic. I also like how they made it relevent to the audience by mentioning Halloween candy at the start. Adding questions for the audience makes it interactive and engaging.

Grow: There was too much text on a few of the slides.

Research Paper Presentation Peer Feedback

Ibrahim Soliman

Topic: Air Pollution in Afghanistan

Glows: Great visuals and slides. Well researched. Good call to action and strong thesis that are strongly supported by data.

Grows: More eye contact would have helped you better connect with the audience

Questions: N/A

Zafrin Siddiqui

Topic: Thawing of Permafrost and its Effects

Glows: You clearly knew a lot about your topic, and I found it very interesting! It was something I hadn’t heard of before, so I enjoyed learning about it.

Grows: I think taking a more passionate or exuberant tone may have aided the presentation. 

Questions: N/A

Majid Choudhury

Topic: Engineering AMD & Psychology (Merging the Two Disciplines)

Glows: Great presenter. I like how you brought a work of your own. It’s clear that you’re passionate about this, and you explained the topic well.

Grows: I think you have a tendency to over-explain, which is something I also do. It can make your explanations sound a bit wordy.

Questions: How did you discover this topic and what drew you into it?

Richard Rubinov

Topic: For the Love of God: The Relationship between Religion and Mental Health Stigma

Glows: The topic was very relevant to a lot of people in the room, which you addressed. You also presented it really well.

Grows: I think you could’ve included some data to improve the presentation.

Questions: N/A

Hulaimatu Jalloh

Topic: Postpartum Depression in Women of Color

Glows: Very detailed presentation in terms of content. Very well presented. 

Grows: N/A

Questions: What are some ways to spread awareness about this issue to a wider audience?

Dean Mayo

Topic: Hair Loss is not Something you need to Accept

Glows: The topic was simple and relatable. 

Grows: More eye contact and more designs for the slides.

Questions: N/A

Domingo Fortuna

Topic: Animal Models

Glows: You’re very knowledgeable on your topic and explained it to us in a comprehensible way. You also weren’t reading off your slides, and it felt like you were engaging in a conversation with the audience, which is the goal for presentations.

Grows: N/A

Questions: N/A

Yesenia Mendez

Topic: Why does sleep matter?

Glows: Slides were very well prepared and the information was very organized. I really liked that you included an interview.

Grows: For this particular topic, there could’ve been some audience engagement.

Questions: N/A

Adam Lindor

Topic: Diabetes

Glows: A lot of research clearly went into this presentation. You’re very knowledgeable on this topic.

Grows: The presentation felt a bit like a data dump. You could’ve made it more personable by connecting with the audience more.

Questions: N/A

Isaac Castillo

Topic: Pollution’s Effect on Marine Life

Glows: Good audience engagement. You made the topic interesting.

Grows: The presentation felt very rushed.

Questions: N/A

David Avila

Topic: Plant-Based Diets on Cardiovascular Health

Glows: The slides were well organized. This presentation was really comprehensive, and I like how you included a suggested “ideal” diet.

Grows: N/A

Questions: N/A

Jamie Pineda

Topic: The Cleanliness of Nuclear Energy

Glows: Good visuals and organization. You explained the importance and benefits of nuclear energy well.

Grows: N/A

Questions: Do you see nuclear energy being a big part of our future?

Henry Harris

Topic: How Science Research Can Reveal Arcane Knowledge

Glows: You clearly have a strong understanding of each of these proposed theories, and the presentation followed a logical structure.

Grows: You could have used visuals to help the audience understand each of the theories better, as these are all complex topics.

Questions: What are your thoughts on each of these theories? Which one interests you the most?

Emunah Iskowitz

Topic: Bird Brains

Glows: You explained everything well and communicated the differences between intelligences effectively.

Grows: Some slides had paragraphs of small text that couldn’t be read from the back of the room.

Questions: What are some of the benefits of studying this topic? What do scientists do with this information?

Jasmine Pal

Topic: Examining the Long-term Effects of Poverty on Adulthood

Glows: I like how you incorporated a call to action and information about programs working to solve the problem.

Grows: You mostly read off the slides and didn’t look at the audience.

Questions: N/A

Tahmida Hasan

Topic: Holistic Approaches to Insomnia

Glows: You included data that demonstrates the effectiveness and benefits of these holistic methods, which helps the audience see their value and importance.

Grows: The text was really small and hard to read. Some details could’ve been taken out to keep the presentation within 6 minutes.

Questions: Which of these methods are most effective? What are the downsides?

Ethika Khondaker

Topic: Exploring the Sociological and Psychological Impacts of Child Marriage on Girls

Glows: Good eye contact with the audience and audience interaction. I’m glad you shared your personal connection to the topic, as that draws people in and makes them more interested.

Grows: N/A

Questions: What do you think should be done to solve the problem of child marriages in areas where it occurs frequently?

Cai Snell

Topic: Why Are More Children Developing Poor Eyesight?: Understanding Why Children Can’t See

Glows: Very well explained details on the topic

Grows: You should include more visuals in your slides.

Questions: N/A

Rahmeen Waris

Topic: The Opioid Crisis

Glows: Good eye contact with the audience and audience interaction

Grows: Less pictures on slides

Questions: N/A

Caitlin Richards

Topic: The Three Body Problem

Glows: You explained your topic really well. Nothing was confusing.

Grows: N/A

Questions: What current research is being done around the three body problem?