1st Sem:
Self Reflection on My Portfolio
Name: Henry Y. Medina Jr. Date: October 19, 2009
Title/Subject: THE JAWS (Totally Hopeless Eccentric Journal of Another Scientist Wanna-be)
This quarter, I learned quite a lot from Life Science, although I’m at the back of the room. Probably from all of the things I learned, my favourites would be: Accumulation of small changes, population is the smallest unit that evolves, and variation can be found at the genetic level. Accumulation of small changes is the most fascinating one of all because it was discussed in an article that was very much interesting. The examples given there were simple, easy to understand yet summed up the point of the article and the implications that it brought about it. This is a very important concept because it greatly increases the probability of a species being brought about by the accumulation of small variations in older related species. It debunked the belief that when an error was reached, one had to repeat again. The point of proceeding from the last checkpoint greatly decreases the time it takes and increases the probability of success. Errors aren’t the end, but they help mark the right direction. We are all products of changes that have been occurring and accumulating. As I write this and you read it, small changes are also occurring, unnoticeable perhaps but later on, probably even generations later, those chances may accumulate and cause a major change. It proves that evolution isn’t staggered nor static, but a dynamic process.
About learning, I also learned this quarter that: Learning is possible through comparison with real life events, through comparing concepts with non-biological concepts and through reverse engineering. I believe that the process of learning being possible through reverse engineering is an important concept. Sometimes, when it is not possible to work forward indefinitely, one has to reverse engineer and meet halfway with what one knows from the start in order to understand something. Reverse engineering allows us to assess the final product and slowly from end to start, meeting with what has been established from start to finish. Example, during the activity of gene frequency, we know that polydactylity is less frequent because we see less people with it. Now in order to know why, one wouldn’t start with many different, infinitely possible scenarios then work them towards the goal. One can start from the goal’s conditions and then work backwards coming to different scenarios. Sometimes working backwards is harder but more rewarding, other times it is the only way. Like in math, when your product is a simplified expression, you have to find its components through working backwards. Also like in genetic engineering, one has to look at the receptors before creating an antigen which will fit.
3rd Quarter:
If I were to choose only 3 new things I learned this quarter from our Life Science Lessons, they would be: certain acts which are morally questionable (incest, sex change, polygamy etc.) are viable adaptations of animals; beauty is not completely in the eye of the beholder, it partly lies in the ratio; preservation of genetic variability is a key goal of nature in whole.
Of all the three, I liked the one about certain acts. I believe these are important because these are key processes that help keep the stability of numbers and nature in check. Although they are not accepted in the human society, we do see that they have advantages which certainly help them to survive. Rare organisms must resort to incest otherwise their chances of finding mates outside group or area decreases greatly. Certain animals must undergo sex change in order to increase chances of reproduction, minimizing competition and unnecessary deaths. Polygamy allows spreading of genetic material, especially if the genetic material is excellent or codes for many traits which are beneficial. These animals do not have advanced intellect like humans do and so they rely on these methods in order to ensure their survival.
This quarter’s activities taught me that learning is still possible as a teacher/mentor (during the DNA activity in MoA), colors and illustrations no matter how child-like can help anyone learn, learning is something like beauty, quantifiable, but subjective.
Learning is like beauty, this is true. One can quantify what one learned from experiences in many ways such as quizzes, essays, journals, practical tests and other forms of examination. So there is a basis for measuring learning, but learning is also based on subjective opinions. People’s interests and attention span usually dictate how well learning goes, much like one’s own taste when judging beauty. There are many ways to call something beauty as it can come in all shapes and sizes, so long as it fits the “basic frame of beauty” and tickles someone’s fancy it can be considered beautiful. Just like learning too! Anything can be considered a learning experience but what one learns may not necessarily be academic. It can also include moral, social and psychological lessons or even perhaps physical lessons in terms of wounds, bruises etc. Beauty is imprinted on one’s mind much like learning too. Both aren’t the same for any 2 people because there will always be different tastes.
NOW:
Among ALL the life science lessons this year I made an entry about, choosing the top three would be difficult but here they are: Beauty really is a combination of both quantifiable and non-quantifiable traits, Homosexuality is viable in nature and life finds a way. Taking the quote from Jurassic Park: "Life Finds A Way", I believe it to be one of the most striking lines regarding Biology and life.
We learned before that in certain animals, when the ratio between males and females fall or when one is lost, the others compensate for it. This is a proof that life will always find a way to continue despite all the hindrances. Even if conditions are hard and resources are scarce, life will always look for a way to survive or reproduce to increase the rate of survival. Not only does it apply to animals who possess instinct and a certain level of intelligence, but it also applies to plants as well. The Jack-in-the-pulpit is a plant that changes gender depending on the conditions around it. If conditions are harsh and resources are scarce, it turns into a male. If resources are abundant, it can allow for seeds and so it turns into a female. This reaction isn't something you'd expect from a "non-sentient" or even an instinct-less organism, but still through the help of hormones and other systems, the plant is able to do all these.
I enjoyed Life Science because it allowed me to learn in many different ways beyond experimentation and class lectures. I learned that you can also learn being a teacher (during the YMSAT and proctor during the forum), you can learn by your art and people's reaction to it (during the storybook project) and you can learn simply by being you (some portfolio entries just like the song part).
Among them, I'd definitely say the last is the most important. You don't need to follow norms all the time! You can just be yourself and still do the things people expect you to do and even go beyond them! Books really isn't the only way to learn, there are many different techniques and they work for many people! If you're yourself, you're more relaxed and so you can work better. Stress and pressure really don't help you, so why bother with them? Have fun while learning through your own way!
