A common theme throughout this class for me was seeing mathematical/ statistical ideas and topics in a new light. Many of these aha moments came to me when reading Weapons of Math Destruction. Most often it involved seeing past all the math and statistics and seeing the people being affected by statistical models and methods. Whether it was the teachers that were affected by the value-added models or people being affected by insurance companies, these issues impact everyone in society. Mathematical and statistical literacy are greatly important to civic engagement. A great example from our readings was the article “Data for Good”. In the article D. J. Patil, the first chief data scientist of the United States, discussed his guidelines for his …show more content…
After going through the whole process of my service project from the initial meeting to the final meeting it was nice to see that I can use my math and statistic knowledge in an area outside of the classroom. Not only that, but I was able to serve an organization that serves foster children, many of whom have been abused and neglected. When looking at it that way, I helped to serve the foster children of Santa Cruz County, by providing my skills and time to CASA of Santa Cruz. It was really nice to have read the article “Co-Designing a Healthy Future with Foster Youth & Families” towards the end of my project, because I was able to relate some of the things that was being done to help children in foster care relate to what I was doing to serving foster children in Santa Cruz. The article “Helping, Fixing or Serving?” that we read was always in the back of my mind when working on this project. When I began my service placement in CASA of Santa Cruz I kept in mind that I wanted to serve CASA. What I didn’t want to do was help or fix CASA. I never wanted to think of it as helping CASA, because I didn’t see Cita or CASA of Santa Cruz as less than me. Since I had the mathematical skills I never wanted them to feel any inequality between us. I also didn’t want to fix CASA of Santa Cruz. I didn’t want to just come in, do everything and not see the people behind CASA. …show more content…
In those meetings I would try to use a variation the LARA method when talking with Cita. I would make sure I was actively listening to Cita and making sure I was understanding the point she was trying to get across. I would then affirm her by paraphrasing what she said to make sure we were on the same page. After that I would respond with what I thought we should do based off of what she said. Lastly, I would add more information by telling her about the software I would use and why I would use them. While the meetings were brief, they were productive and helped to reinvigorate me about the project. My supervisor Cita was very passionate about her job and it showed. When we would sit down to discuss the project and what we were going to do from there it was evident that Cita was excited about the project. Seeing her being excited about the project would make me excited as well. It also made me want to do good for not only CASA, but for Cita. My favorite meeting was my final meeting with Cita. I showed her how to produce the graphs for the trends and seeing the look of joy on her face when the graphs popped up was priceless. Driving home from meeting was bittersweet. I couldn't stop smiling, because I had finished something that I put a lot of effort into and Cita liked it. All my hard work had paid off and after talking to Cita about the graphs for the trends she told me that she had been wanting to do this
After spending the day observing a fourth grade inclusive class and attending a fourth grade PLC meeting focused on testing, I began my community service at the after school program. I was quite curious to see what the after school program is like as I work as a supervisor at an after school program in Sussex County. At dismissal, all the students came to the cafeteria and began their homework. They were very talkative and sitting in close proximity as there were only a few tables left down for the students. Once everyone had arrived, the teachers called out that all students were to quietly work on homework.
As a teen, I had the opportunity to volunteer on a summer mission trip that focused on serving the homeless population in San Francisco. Stricken by poverty and drug addictions the Tenderloin District was unlike anything I had ever seen. Instead of passing judgment or feeling intimidated, I chose to serve these people with compassion and respect. What I experienced during this time was transformational and helped to direct me on a pathway towards service.
The targeted group of students for this class would students who have declared a major in statistics or political science; however, any Honors College student would be encouraged to take this class. This would be a good math class for students who have declared a major in political science to take, as this math class would focus on applying statistical skills to topics that are relevant to their major. Statistics majors who would like to work for government agencies or organizations, such as Gallup, would gain experience calculating statistics that are similar to the statistics they would be calculating once they graduate and secure a job with one of these organizations. The students who take this class would also have the opportunity to conduct their own statistical research project. This project would act as a final exam and would allow the students to apply
By participating in this service project, I have learned that it is important to take part in activities that benefit
I have had the pleasure of being a part of Big Brothers and Big Sisters program. Spending my time as a role model for my “little sister” has made a huge difference in not only her life, but also my own. Seeing her progress academically and behaviorally is very uplifting and gives me motivation to work with other at-risk youth. The organization plays a huge part in my decision to become a school social worker. I intend to remain a volunteer with the organization through adulthood. Along with Big Brothers and Big Sisters, I also spend time volunteering at Renaissance Care Center, a nursing home in Canton, IL. Renaissance Care Center has provided me the experience of working with the elderly as well as people with developmental disabilities. I truly enjoy my time spent volunteering with each age group, and will successfully apply my experiences to my future work. I am now completing my practicum at Heartland Healthcare Center. I have been able to apply my knowledge to the workforce, and have been reminded daily that social work is the job for me. It will be hard to leave the facility upon graduation, and have been asked to come back as a volunteer or activity assistant. Either way, I know I will be coming back to visit the residents and
The general belief around the country (or perhaps even the world) is that math classes will be beneficial to a well rounded student. In some cases, such as the author argued, this might be true as a recent high school graduate who hasn't had the life experiences that someone later in their life might have. The author continues to explain that in their line of previous work and general experience, they already have the general math knowledge that their degree will need.
For my twelve service hours, I decided to dedicate my time to one organization. That organization is known as College Mentors for Kids. College Mentors for Kids is a program specifically designed for elementary and college aged students. It is a nonprofit organization that works with over 2,000 students and mentors one day a week on a college campus. This program can be found throughout nine states and on 33 different college campuses. I am fortunate enough to be attending Ball State University, which is home to the largest chapter in the country for the program. The program’s main focus is to acknowledge the importance of higher education and career growth as you get older. There are a variety of ways the members of this organization accomplish
It is a great example of dedication and an exhibition of kindness for others; I feel that it is from my parents that I have learned how to exemplify it in my own life. My parents fled their homeland Nigeria to make a better life for themselves and in turn help their family. This has impacted me in that I hope to also selflessly serve and make improving the lives of others important to me. I have demonstrated this as a mentor in the University of Oklahoma Future Health Scientists Program, and through my involvement in student government, HOSA-Future Health Professionals, Key Club, and as a member of the Oklahoma City Youth Council. As a mentor, I help in the sustainment and empowerment of Oklahoma’s youth by teaching them concepts of science related to health which will in turn prepare them for their future career. Being a part of student government has allowed me to help organize Care Share and HEISMAN Week. During Care Share, I planned what items needed to be donated and delivered those items. During HEISMAN Week, I encouraged my peers to donate money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation by leading dares and other events. As a member of the Oklahoma City Youth Council, I attend council meetings and visit with government officials which has also allowed me to serve my peers for I am the connection between them and city officials. As a member of HOSA-Future Health Professionals and Key Club, I notify others of volunteering
In order to alleviate the procedural method of teaching statistics and probability, Common Core Mathematical Practice Standards encourages the use of authentic tasks that are grade level appropriate and culturally meaningful to students. Students should be part of the whole process, from defining questions to interpreting results or making predictions. It is only by being involved in the whole process that they develop conceptual understanding (Van De Walle,
My experience has been consistent with what we learned in class. This project brought light to the horrifying abuse that large number of children go through at a young age and this service learning project allowed me to better understand their suffering and their need for assistance. My service learning project made the course material relevant, because I could now better understand the necessity to provide support and comfort to children at a young age.
It gave me the chance to vanquish my fears while also realizing that it is God’s plan for me to help out my community. However, I am not surprised that there are still unanswered questions in my head such as: Why is there such a big hunger problem? Why is this problem not spoken about more often? Is there any other way I can help stop this problem? This service has made me more knowledgeable and aware of my community. In addition, this service project has made me take matters into my own hands. Currently, every time my family goes grocery shopping I make sure they get at least five canned goods for donating. As more of my friends volunteer and more donations come in I think we can end this fight for hunger in southern Louisiana. In addition, I believe that we should all take a step back and be thankful for all that we have because some people don’t have such luxuries. God is omnipresent, He would not want to see His children starving. Finally, I see it as a mission that we volunteers get more people involved to volunteer for the greater
My first goal is to help younger students by being a role model and providing college ready guidance. Two years ago, my life shattered when my mother and premature sister were hospitalized and almost died. Throughout a period of 4 weeks, I suffered as I saw my mom in a coma and my baby sister in an incubator. I cried and prayed while touching my little sister’s 2 pound body and soon realized how fragile we were. It was New Year’s Eve when both she and my sister came home from the hospital. We had so much support from friends, family, and teachers that I sometimes wonder what I would have done without them. Everyone always smiled at me which brought me comfort. Therefore, I learned that I have to be strong and smile to tackle each obstacle to the best of my ability. Smiling gives people relief and hope for a great end result. I acknowledge that my baby sister’s life was saved by the donation of other
We want the community that we are working with to have healthy and safe areas for their children to grow up in. We believe that our program will be able to provide those spaces. By allowing the children of the community to have areas that are geared towards them and their learning we hope to create a healthy relationship towards children and education. By lowering the crime rates we also hope to see less children joining in on the crime and more children joining in on education and success. Our programs are centered towards helping children find happiness and hope in education as well as helping those who are willing to to their involvement with crime. We offer those who are willing a helping hand in turning their lives around and a chance to better their community and it’s future. The public health of the community in Inglewood is a huge part of our program and we believe that our ideas, volunteers, and dedication can turn the community
In today’s society mathematics is a vital part of day-to-day life. No matter what a person is doing at home or at the workplace, he/she is constantly using different mathematics skills to simply function. Then what does this mean for mathematics education? When someone needs to utilize a skill every day then he/she needs a strong background in the skill. Therefore, today’s students need more than a just a working knowledge of mathematics or enough knowledge to pass a test. Today’s students need to understand how mathematics works and how to utilize mathematics skills in the best way possible.
Mathematics, like every creation of man, have evolved without really knowing how far you can get with them: the scope of the computer, physics, chemistry, algebra, all are evidence of this. Every aspect of our culture is based in some way or another in Mathematics: language, music, dance, art, sculpture, architecture, biology, daily life. All these areas of measurements and calculations are accurate. Even in nature, everything follows a precise pattern and a precise order: a flower, a shell, a butterfly, day and night, the seasons. All this makes mathematics essential for human life and they can not be limited only to a matter within the school curriculum; here lies the importance of teaching math in a pleasure, enjoyable and understandable way. Mathematics is an aid to the development of the child and should be seen as an aid to life and not as an obstacle in their lifes.