Project Description
“Power, Privilege, & the Purse” 11th grade wide semester long project, For about two months, we researched socio economic and social inequalities that included power and privilege, educational inequalities, and racial inequalities. In math 3 we created personal financial plans, researched the different types of loans available and the cost of future college plans. While in humanities we researched, read over information, and formed our own personal opinions on slavery, segregation, and discrimination in the United States. With all our efforts put into place we held a symposium (Mind the Gap) to discuss and expose community members to a different perspective of the social inequalities in the United States. “Mind the Gap” encouraged open and respectful back and forth between community members and 11th grade students; this symposium was a success in the respect of educating the community on topics that are often overlooked.
Process (Math and Humanities)
During the course of this project in math we had the opportunity to make personal financial plans and explore concepts like investment, (retirement) savings, and debt. Using the google spreadsheets to model out of finances really helped me visualize my finances and showed me where my hypothetical budget could be reduced or increased in certain areas. I had some confusion while we were learning the math concepts, but being able to apply them to real life situations helped me understand them more deeply.
In humanities class, we were assigned groups that were given different roles. These roles included panel moderators, panelists, fundraisers, event organizers, etc. I was a performance artist and last minute panelist, and I studied immigrant workers, day laborers, and guest worker programs. I spent several weeks researching and writing my position paper, and once it was finished I used that information to start writing my TED talk. I luckily had a personal connection to my TED talk topic, so I found it easy to write down and express what I wanted to say. I also used first hand sources for my research, like stories from field workers themselves, I also found that guest worker program archives from the 40s- to late 60s really came in handy when trying to figure out the political situations of that time. I was able to use my connection to the Bracero program and current guest worker programs for my advantage to make a heartfelt connection with the audience. The personal connection and extensive research really helped the night of exhibition when I was told I would be filling in for an absent guest panelist; I was able to articulate my grandfather’s story and my story as a granddaughter and niece of field workers. I feel that gave me an edge and an advantage to the answering the community member questions during the symposium. I really enjoyed the night of the exhibition, my panel and the panel I attended both went very smoothly. As far as I can tell each panel was able to articulate and educate the community on the inequities of America in fashion non-threatening easy to understand fashion.
In humanities class, we were assigned groups that were given different roles. These roles included panel moderators, panelists, fundraisers, event organizers, etc. I was a performance artist and last minute panelist, and I studied immigrant workers, day laborers, and guest worker programs. I spent several weeks researching and writing my position paper, and once it was finished I used that information to start writing my TED talk. I luckily had a personal connection to my TED talk topic, so I found it easy to write down and express what I wanted to say. I also used first hand sources for my research, like stories from field workers themselves, I also found that guest worker program archives from the 40s- to late 60s really came in handy when trying to figure out the political situations of that time. I was able to use my connection to the Bracero program and current guest worker programs for my advantage to make a heartfelt connection with the audience. The personal connection and extensive research really helped the night of exhibition when I was told I would be filling in for an absent guest panelist; I was able to articulate my grandfather’s story and my story as a granddaughter and niece of field workers. I feel that gave me an edge and an advantage to the answering the community member questions during the symposium. I really enjoyed the night of the exhibition, my panel and the panel I attended both went very smoothly. As far as I can tell each panel was able to articulate and educate the community on the inequities of America in fashion non-threatening easy to understand fashion.
Humanities Learning
In humanities, we explored and were exposed to multiple types of inequities that can be found in America. As a class we explored both sides of every argument if possible; we researched everything from the gender inequality to the Black Lives Matter movement. I learned about inequities in the U.S. and how people are affected by them daily. I focused on immigrant workers and guest worker programs specifically and learned more about the history of guest work programs, demographics of guest migrant workers, and their daily struggles. I found that inequities are inevitable, but the best step in solving problems is to encourage conversation. In almost all my research I found valid points for both sides, supporters for migrant field workers and non-supporters. Both sides of the arguments had very valid, very strong points, but more importantly were respectful towards each other. I find that having opening, respectful conversations maybe a route to finding possible solutions for not only national immigrant issues/reform, but for all of the inequalities we touched on during this project.
My perspective on the American Dream did not really change from the start and to end of the project; I honestly just gained more perspective on the struggle and the faces behind the dream. Being exposed to both sides of inequity has broaden my perspective in a way that I am more informed to such an extent that I have a valid information to create my own opinion for certain topics. I think having prior exposure to some of the inequities lowered the shock factor and I was able to focus more the on the information being presented than the actual “monster” that was the inequality. One thing I have gained as a new insight that will come in handy for me for years to come, is to find both sides of a story because there is always danger behind a single story. Knowing both sides will not only keep you informed, but also avoid any subconscious assumptions or stereotypes.
My perspective on the American Dream did not really change from the start and to end of the project; I honestly just gained more perspective on the struggle and the faces behind the dream. Being exposed to both sides of inequity has broaden my perspective in a way that I am more informed to such an extent that I have a valid information to create my own opinion for certain topics. I think having prior exposure to some of the inequities lowered the shock factor and I was able to focus more the on the information being presented than the actual “monster” that was the inequality. One thing I have gained as a new insight that will come in handy for me for years to come, is to find both sides of a story because there is always danger behind a single story. Knowing both sides will not only keep you informed, but also avoid any subconscious assumptions or stereotypes.
Math Learning
plans and explore concepts like investment, (retirement) savings, and debt. Using the google spreadsheets to model out of finances really helped me visualize my finances and showed me where my hypothetical budget could be reduced or increased in certain areas.
Studying finances, annuity, logarithms, piecewise functions, and statistics during math and the concepts were extremely helpful when creating graphs and infographics. I had some confusion while we were learning the math concepts, but being able to apply them to real life situations helped me understand them more deeply. I also really appreciate that I finally know how the American tax system works; even though my mother does taxes for a living and January through April is one of the busiest times in my household I still didn’t have a clue how they worked. And for that now common knowledge I am very grateful, I know I’ll be needing that sooner rather than later. The topics that we covered, especially the taxes, are things that are actually relevant to adult life, and I feel like I really will end up using them as I grow up. This type of connection made it easier for me see the way the math can be implemented into everyday adult life.
While learning about taxes and investments, I learned more about exponential growth and decay. Compound interest is an example of exponential growth/decay and can be seen in savings, investments, and loans. Compound interest is interest that is added to the starting amount of a loan or deposit. The added interest earns interest from then on, and the amount of a loan or account can increase/decrease greatly over time.
Logarithms are quantities that represent the power to which a number must be raised to produce another number. Logarithms are actually very common in real life, especially in relation to interest rates. They find the root cause of a certain effect, such as growth, loss, or interest rates. Throughout this project I noticed logarithms had multiple connections to the types of loans, savings, and investment plans we had looked into.
The Statistical Problem Solving Process is to 1.ask or formulate a question, 2. collect or produce data, 3. analyze or process data, and 4. interpret results. This process is very important because it organizes the way that a problem is solved. I used this process to articulate and illustrate the demographics of the US guestworker programs and the their economic struggles. I created an infographic break each topic down using information I had found to further deepen my understanding my topic and to support my evidence. Most of data came for the National Agricultural Department of Labor. I created a graphs to illustrate my findings and tell a story.
Through the entirety of this project my understanding of financial planning and statics has grown. This project help me see how the information we are given everyday or are exposed to is gathered and organized in such a way that we even as high schoolers can take in, analyze, and then form an opinion on it. By the end of the project I had finally seen the correlation between certain math concepts and inequities, even though we may not be able to solve the inequalities we can surely educate and possibly lessen the effect of them.
Studying finances, annuity, logarithms, piecewise functions, and statistics during math and the concepts were extremely helpful when creating graphs and infographics. I had some confusion while we were learning the math concepts, but being able to apply them to real life situations helped me understand them more deeply. I also really appreciate that I finally know how the American tax system works; even though my mother does taxes for a living and January through April is one of the busiest times in my household I still didn’t have a clue how they worked. And for that now common knowledge I am very grateful, I know I’ll be needing that sooner rather than later. The topics that we covered, especially the taxes, are things that are actually relevant to adult life, and I feel like I really will end up using them as I grow up. This type of connection made it easier for me see the way the math can be implemented into everyday adult life.
While learning about taxes and investments, I learned more about exponential growth and decay. Compound interest is an example of exponential growth/decay and can be seen in savings, investments, and loans. Compound interest is interest that is added to the starting amount of a loan or deposit. The added interest earns interest from then on, and the amount of a loan or account can increase/decrease greatly over time.
Logarithms are quantities that represent the power to which a number must be raised to produce another number. Logarithms are actually very common in real life, especially in relation to interest rates. They find the root cause of a certain effect, such as growth, loss, or interest rates. Throughout this project I noticed logarithms had multiple connections to the types of loans, savings, and investment plans we had looked into.
The Statistical Problem Solving Process is to 1.ask or formulate a question, 2. collect or produce data, 3. analyze or process data, and 4. interpret results. This process is very important because it organizes the way that a problem is solved. I used this process to articulate and illustrate the demographics of the US guestworker programs and the their economic struggles. I created an infographic break each topic down using information I had found to further deepen my understanding my topic and to support my evidence. Most of data came for the National Agricultural Department of Labor. I created a graphs to illustrate my findings and tell a story.
Through the entirety of this project my understanding of financial planning and statics has grown. This project help me see how the information we are given everyday or are exposed to is gathered and organized in such a way that we even as high schoolers can take in, analyze, and then form an opinion on it. By the end of the project I had finally seen the correlation between certain math concepts and inequities, even though we may not be able to solve the inequalities we can surely educate and possibly lessen the effect of them.
Mind the Gap Exhibition
For this symposium exhibition, I was responsible for opening up my panel with a TED talk (performance art). I found it quite easy to find a connection to the panel’s topic, but with that ease I found the actual performance a bit more difficult. When it came to writing the actual talk, having the personal connection to the agricultural industry really helped because I could always just reference family or paperwork we had, but then when it came to performing it I found it hard to connect to the audience. I think I focused so much on the actual writing of the talk and not enough on the performance, because all TED talks are like 50% content and 50% audience/emotional connection. After receiving some feedback on my first performance I made sure to implement that into my final performance at the symposium. Also being put on the spot as a guest panelist came as a bit of a shock, even though I had written about the migrant/field worker for a whole 2 months I found a hard trying to gather my thoughts on a drop of a hat especially in front of strangers. In the end I very happy how the 11th grade symposium went and whole successful my group’s panel went, even though our panel lost a few guest members we pulled through and made the best of our situation.