ES Academy Reflection

Core Competencies

Some short/long-term goals for myself include completing my assignments a couple of days before they are due, procrastinating less, and sticking to my goals. My plan to achieve these goals starts with small, manageable steps. For example, I’ll aim to finish a few assignments ahead of schedule while working on the remaining ones closer to their due date. To procrastinate less, I can set reminders throughout the day to allocate small chunks of time for working on assignments. This will help spread out my workload. To stick to my goals, they need to be achievable. When setting a goal, I’ll ask myself: “Can I realistically complete this in the time I’ve set?” If not, I will adjust the goal to make it more realistic. Knowing I’m capable of reaching the goal helps me stay motivated.

If the group is not productive during a project, we can start by working on small sections of the project together. This could help spark ideas and inspire each other while also building momentum as we see parts of the project getting completed. Taking these steps can help get the group back on track and moving in the right direction.

Curricular Competencies

1. How did you create or interpret graphs, theoretical or physical models, or diagrams to understand or explain scientific ideas?

In Earth Science 11, we completed a unit focused on weather, specifically clouds and various types of extreme weather. During this unit, we studied numerous diagrams and had the opportunity to collect and analyze data by recording different types of information multiple times a week. We then used this data to create and analyze various graphs. Working with these diagrams and graphs gave me a deeper understanding of the topic.

2. Which physical activities did you engage in and enjoy the most this term?

In Physical Health Education 10, I engaged in multiple physical activities outdoors, such as snowshoeing up to Brockton Point, canoeing at Sasamat Lake, and hiking many different trails in our area. These activities were enjoyable because I saw beautiful views and bonded with my classmates while being active. I was able to work on my physical and mental health on these out trips.

3. How have you grown in your leadership skills this term? When and where do you think you have demonstrated leadership the best?

When the semester started, I only intended to talk to the friends that I had in my class. However, as the term went on, I realized that showing good leadership skills meant that I had to reach out and talk to my other classmates that I didn’t know well. I’ve grown in my leadership skills by initiating conversations with my classmates during group work and trying to spark ideas during projects. I think I demonstrated leadership the best during group projects when I encouraged everyone to contribute and worked to keep the group organized. For example, I encouraged my group members to share their ideas by asking them questions about the topic at hand.

4. How did you explore the diversity of Canadian Identities and perspectives?

As a part of my Echo project, I decided to interview my dad about his journey to Canada from Poland and why he decided to come here for a life filled with more opportunities. I got to learn about the history of Poland from my dad and all the diverse Canadian identities that are a part of my classmates’ families during our class presentations. I heard about many different identities and their unique journeys.

5. How have you begun planning for your career-life pathways? What skills in networking, job-seeking, and employment marketing have you developed?

In Career Life Education 10, I worked on developing my job-seeking and employment-marketing skills by creating a resume and practicing writing a cover letter for a theoretical job position. I also completed an assignment where I looked into a few careers I was interested in pursuing and researched them to see if I thought it was a good match for me. This taught me many important skills when it comes to applying for jobs.