Blog 26: Senior Project Reflection

(1) Positive Statement

What are you most proud of in your 2-Hour Presentation and/or your senior project? Why?

I am most proud of doing my 2 hour presentation and the details of both of my answers. While presenting I mentioned articles that I have read over the months of doing my senior project and even added in personal experiences from my mentorship at the Arcadia Arboretum. After my presentation, Mr. Pang let me know that my answers were really detailed and had evidence of research. He then went on to tell me that I had a very clear voice like an actual teacher. Not only did I received positive feedback from Mr. Pang but from the juniors as well. One junior said that it was just too perfect to give recommendations on and this made me quite happy. 

 

(2) Questions to Consider

a.     What assessment would you give yourself on your 2-Hour Presentation (self-assessment)?

AE

b.     What assessment would you give yourself on your overall senior project (self-assessment)?

P

(3) What worked for you in your senior project?

I feel that my mentorship worked very well for me. Although I researched and read incredible articles, seeing actual horticulturists work hands on with many different types of plants gave me a better understanding on how to care for them. I was always very fortunate with my mentorship and feel that without it I would not have the understanding of flowers that I have today. I got to work hands on with exotic plants from all over the work in greenhouses and learned how to care for them; I am very lucky.

(4) (What didn't work) If you had a time machine, what would have you done differently to improve your senior project if you could go back in time?

If I could go back in time I would want to improve my independent components. I received AP's on both of them because they "lacked substance". In fact, because of my second IC, I was asked whether or not I really cared about my topic at all, which really hurt. I would like to fix both of my IC and grow a bigger garden or more plants. Maybe then it would have substance.

(5) Finding Value

How has the senior project been helpful to you in your future endeavors?   Be specific and use examples. 

My senior topic taught me the lesson of how important credible research is. If you take the time to learn about a topic you have to make sure your research is from a credible source to make sure it is actually accurate. My senior topic also taught me how to create a successful garden and because of this I can now help my friends and family. I will never forget about the information I learned through this experience and am very thankful for it. 

Goodbye Mentorship

I am very thankful that I was given the opportunity to volunteer at the Arcadia Arboretum this year. The information I was taught by my mentor, Tim Philips, is something I will always cherish. Getting the chance to work with such educated people in this field gave me the chance to see what it really is like being an actual horticulturist. I will miss the experiences I have learned there. I will also miss working in the greenhouses and with Ivonne in the mentorship office. But, I think I will visit from time to time and possibly volunteer every once in a while.

My Own Backyard

Throughout the year, learning about flowers and how to care for them really inspired me to improve my own flower garden in the backyard. We already had some flowers but they were starting to wilt or were dry. So, it upon myself to help my Dad and improve the garden. We started planting more flowers and shrubs on the hill we live on, and the outcomes is great.

Our work overall

Dirt! The Movie

When researching my first answer, I tried to find other ways of researching that was more entertaining. I did my best to ask people for recommendations but not many people are knowledgeable about soil. I talked to Pittman about my delima and she proposed to talk to Cancino since my topic is somewhat earth science based. When I talked to Cancino about my first answer, her face lit up with excitement because she also understood how important soil was for a garden and for the environment as well. She then gave me Dirt! The Movie to watch and take notes on. I am so glad I talked to her because it explained in mass detail how important soil is in life and not just gardening.

Dirt! The Movie Trailer