GCE: Scheduling

For Unit 3 of Systems and Models, we learned the ins and outs of how a company works, and the different methods and process industries to achieve efficiency. We went into depth about The acomlons, which are public resources that are shared but not regulated. In addition, we looked at different situational environments and what factors can affect the productivity of a company. For our FE our class spoke with the creator of our school, Eric Davis, and asked him questions about the obstacles he faced when building the school. For this unit's Action Project, we were asked to take a system within the school and explain it through SWOT. While explaining through SWOT we also had to relate it to different business models that companies today use. After this, we were assigned to figure out a solution to this problem, and write out what we think would make it better. I chose to discuss GCE's scheduling. I thought this would be an interesting topic to cover because it affects everyone in the school. Also, I really wanted to give my input on what could be done to improve the schedule for everyone. Enjoy!

Equality in 2117

GCE Tribune

Yesterday our first Transgender President of America was elected president. Ashley Marano is a transgender woman that made history last night as she completely wrecked her opponent, Rick Parley, in the polls winning 405 electoral votes. Over the past 100 years, our nation has completely flipped from a country filled with racism, hate, and inequality, to a democracy full of true freedom. We have truly become a country where people don’t have to be afraid to be themselves.

Just under a century ago, the 45th president of the United States, Donald Trump, was passing laws that kept people out of our country, and was openly against LGBT rights. Comparing our country to what it was then, it doesn’t even look like the same universe.

Barbara Smith reporting here with an immigrant from Mexico who just recently gained her citizenship here in America. Below is an interview about her thoughts on the new presidency:


How do you feel about having a transgender woman as our president?

It fills me with joy to see that the people of our nation are brave enough to elect this woman president. Not only was she the most brilliant candidate, but having her lead our country sends a message to every other nation in the world. I believe that this will help our world become a better place and bring us close together.

Are you glad about getting your citizenship?

I’m so happy about finally gaining my citizenship here. I’ve been living here for a while and the government has been so helpful and guiding with the process. A few decades ago, it would have been almost impossible for a woman like me to even get a visa to visit here, and look how times have changed!

Do you think this country is far from having a latino or president of color?

Seeing how welcoming everyone has been here, I don’t think we’re far from it. It feels great to have such a sense of openness from everyone around you. To me, having a transgender president tells me that the citizens here are just as accepting of a latina woman as they would be to a transgender woman.


In other news relating to our newest president, a barbie doll attributed to her was released this morning. “The Marano Doll” was already reached record sales. The purpose of creating the doll was to teach all boys and girls that they can be whatever they aspire to be, and to help them be theirselves. We hope to see a spreading of acceptance through this doll.

Guide: Geometric Proofs

For this workshop we were assigned to create a guide on a mathematic topic we weren't familiar with. I chose Geometric Proofs as my topic to research on because I haven't done any Geometry since Freshman year and I thought this would be a good chance to refresh myself. It was a bit difficult getting this compelted with the time allotted, because we had two Mondays off of school where we didn't get to meet. But, I was able to finish with some out of class time. This is was a great workshop overall, and it really helped me touch on the topic of Geometry. I hope that I get to do something like this again soon. Enjoy my guide!

What Variables Affect Sampling Behavior based on the Person Giving out Samples?

For the second unit of my STEAM course Systems & Models, Group, our class focused on the different ways groups functions and techniques used to improve groups. We created and learned about multiple team building exercises, which we used in class to better relationships between our class. Additionally, we also learned about how Psychologists use the scientific method in their studies. For our AP, we were asked to conduct an experiment and observe and log data from a specific group. I enjoyed being able to choose what I wanted to do during the experimental part of the project. I thought that researching for my project was the best part, because it gave me a lot of insight on what to focus on during my experiment. Even though the AP did take a lot of work, we were given enough class time to complete it. This was my favorite unit so far in this course, and I’m glad I was given the chance to do this AP with it.

Textbook Chapter

For Unit 1 of my humanities course, Equality, our class researched and explored the historical background of race, gender, and class to help us create a better understanding of the current context of these issues. Throughout the unit, we individually researched each topic and learned about significant events in progressive timelines. For our action project, we were assigned to “ recount a historical event through research and the use of marginalized voices.” I created a textbook page that follows the timeline of events leading and proceeding 9/11. My textbook is titled “The Twin Towers.” Reading my project should give you a better understanding of the reasons 9/11 occurred, and how it’s affected our nation today. During this unit, I gained a clear understanding of the ways different minorities are treated and the inequalities they have. Enjoy!

Chapter 2: Nine-Eleven

In this chapter, we’ll learn about one of the most violent attacks on America to date: nine-eleven. Keep in mind that there may be topics discussed that some people may be sensitive to; however, I urge you to continue reading even if it may be painful. This content is meant to educate and open your eyes to new ideas.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, 19 members of a terrorist group named al-Qaeda hijacked four airplanes and used them to attack multiple targets across the East Coast of the United States. The planned attacks killed just under 3,000 people, making it the biggest and most effective attack on the United States in history. Al-Qaeda is a very small, violent group who practice Muslim religion and consider the freedom that U.S. citizens have to be evil and don’t want America to spread this to other countries. Under their leader, Osama bin Laden, al-Qaeda has executed terrorist attacks all around the world; however, the attacks on 9/11 were the most destructive by far.

Two of the four hijacked airplanes hit 2 identical skyscrapers known as the twin towers. Shortly after the collision, the buildings collapsed entirely, killing everyone inside. Thousands of people died at the World Trade Center that day. A third plane flew into the Pentagon in Arlington, where the U.S.

military is headquartered, which killed nearly 200 people. The fourth plane crashed in rural Pennsylvania after passengers onboard fought the hijackers. 44 people aboard the flight were all killed.

The single event of 9/11 changed the country tremendously. Not only was there a massive impact on americans, but muslim americans as well. Muslims have been subjected to an extremely intrusive interrogation process. Scholars estimate that 200,000 to 500,000 Muslims have been affected by this process. In addition to that, over 18,000 Muslims have been deported from the United States. A recent study also showed that Muslim American professionals suffered a 10 percent wage reduction since 9/11. After reviewing studies and multiple articles on this, I decided to have a talk with my friend Saarah. Saarah Bhaiji is a close friend of mine who has lived her entire life in America. In middle school, she said she was “judged constantly for being a practicing Muslim.” People criticized her based on the headscarf she wore to school everyday. “When Osama Bin Laden died, people said, ‘I’m sorry your dad died,’” Bhaiji said. “There was horrible stuff that I had to go through in middle school and that’s what made me so strong.” Bhaiji said she isn’t looking to change the world, she just wants to be treated like an equal in her home town.

After hearing all of this, I was shocked I hadn’t noticed this type of discrimination in our society before, and I’m glad I got to research the events that led up to it. Right now, I only see our nation going downhill. With the recent travel ban on Muslims, it’s clear that we’re moving in the opposite direction of equality. I always viewed nine-eleven as a historical event that had a terrible effect on Americans, but I never even remotely thought about how it affected the treatment of Muslims in our country. I’m also really pleased that I was able to learn about the hardships my friend went through, and talk with her about her experience in our changing country.

Racial Profiling Vocabulary

Below you can study the different terms used with the racism and discrimination against all races. It's important to know the language and vocabulary associated.

American Muslims share their experiences one week after 9/11

Below is a video filmed one week after 9/11, of American-Muslims sharing their experiences being a part of society after the attack. I think it'll be interesting to hear their voices on the subject. Hopefully this video will shed some light on your opinion of the importance of discrimination.

Timeline of the events of 9/11

This timeline should help you get more insight on the specific times of the events during the morning of 9/11. Take a look at how quickly the nation changed, and the times apart that these events took place.

Works Cited:

Slorfha Follow. "9/11 PowerPoint." Share and Discover Knowledge on LinkedIn SlideShare. N.p., 21 Nov. 2013. Web. 01 Feb. 2017.

"Information for 9/11 Family Members." National September 11 Memorial & Museum. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2017.

History.com Staff. "9/11 Attacks." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2010. Web. 01 Feb. 2017. <http://www.history.com/topics/9-11-attacks>.

Chehade, Carol. "The Racial Lesson of 9/11." The Racial Lesson of 9/11. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2017.

Tim Wise / AlterNet. "Rationalizing Racism: Panic and Profiling After 9/11." Alternet. N.p., n.d.

Web. 01 Feb. 2017.

Self Portrait

For this Unit, Individual, our class learned about psychological, intellectual, and emotional tests that help us think about ourselves and evaluate the different ways we think. I really enjoyed learning about the depths of the psychological parts of ourselves and others. The tests our class took helped us analyze our personalities and understand things about ourselves that we never would've looked in to otherwise. I really enjoyed the equal amount of math, science, and art that went into this project and unit overall. For our action project, my class was assigned to interview an artist we know and create a piece that represented ourselves. I thought it was really interesting that we got the chance to create an art piece for a STEAM course, and that it incorporated a good amount of fun throughout the project. This has been one of my favorite APs so far in all my courses, and I think that I did a decent job of presenting my personality in my art piece.

SC. Piece of Me. 2017.

“Piece of Me” is a drawing that represents the part of myself that I see true. Creating this piece I felt free and relaxed. Before starting, I envisioned the look of the piece in my head. At first, I wanted to create a painting on a big canvas. However, as I thought some more, I realized that it might look better plain and simple, like me. I used just my pencil, and a colored pencil to create this piece. It was originally drawn on a 8 ½ by 11 piece of construction paper, however, I decided to tear some of the edges off. The sides being ripped represent how I can sometimes be torn away from the outside world, and stay inside my own realm. In the beginning, I only drew dots to create an outline to connect after I’m done. As I went on to connect the dots, I thought about what other ways I could show my unique personality through the piece. Having not originally planned, I colored in the hand to symbolize the isolation I enjoy having in my everyday life.

During this unit, our class was assigned to find and take multiple different personality tests; this helped me understand a lot more about myself, and eventually helped me connect myself to my piece. One of our first tests, Myers Briggs, measures different psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions. There are 16 different results that the Myers Briggs test can give; all have unique personality types. After I took the test, I learned that I am an ISTJ, which is also known as a logistician. The first letter, I, stands for introverted, and it’s probably what I agree with most about the test. My results show that, I’m mostly secluded and an individual, which is what I tried my best to reflect in my drawing. “People with the ISTJ personality type often prefer to work alone, or at least have their authority clearly established by hierarchy, where they can set and achieve their goals without debate or worry over other’s reliability.” My results for this test had the biggest impact in the fashion I decided to create my drawing in. Another psychological test assigned to us that helped me create my drawing was the Enneagram. The test has nine different personality results. After taking an online version of the Enneagram test, I discovered that I am a five with a sixth wing. Fives are known as investigators, because they tend to withdraw themselves and are more observant. In most cases, they “feel comfortable and at home in the realm of thought. They are generally intelligent, well read and thoughtful and they frequently become experts in the areas that capture their interest.” The approach that I took for my piece was that I wanted to show my inner self through the different dimensions of the drawing. I tried representing my personal traits and qualities in an abstract form. Both of these tests were crucial in figuring out what characteristics I want represented in my drawing, and now I have a lot understanding and awareness of myself.

Aside from psychological tests, our class was also assigned to study different experiments and case studies that showed aspects of other people’s behavior. The first test we studied was called the marshmallow test. It’s a fairly simple experiment that requires the participant(s) to sit in front of a marshmallow for a relatively long period of time without eating it. If they can resist and successfully control themselves from eating the marshmallow, they will be rewarded with two instead of just one. In class, our teacher gave us a similar version with candy bars instead of marshmallows, and although I was hungry, I easily passed the test. The result of this tells me that I’m able to be patient, and have a tolerant mindset when needed. A second experiment that helped me create my drawing was the Stanford Prison Experiment. In this experiment, a simulated prison was created with students from Stanford participating as prisoners or guards. This experiment helped me show the many different emotions that I have.

One psychologist that I did some research on before drawing my piece was Erik Erikson. Erikson was famous for helping create the foundation of knowledge around human development and the stages the mind go through throughout one’s lifespan. His research really interested me in how they brain works, and the stage of life that I’m currently going through; I tried to reflect this in my piece. Another well known psychologist that I was assigned to do research on was named Jean Piaget. Piaget’s research mostly consisted of child’s intellectual development and understanding what was unknown about genetic psychology. Piaget developed many different theories about the human brain, and the processes that it went through. I wanted to reflect in my piece that I’m going through the stage of adolescence, which is mainly focused around being oneself. For this project, I interviewed a graphic designer and artist, Ellen Senrich. During the interview, we talked about what makes an artist great, and the thought process she goes through when creating her art. I asked what she thinks makes a great artist, and she responded with: “I’d say you have to passionate and open-minded. You really have to want to do a good job and care about your designs. Making your work not a chore, because it’s supposed to be something that you enjoy doing.” It was interesting hearing what Senrich had to say about art and designing, and the interview helped me realize a few different aspects of creating art that helped me create my piece.

My thought process for creating my piece was pretty simple: I sat down and thought about what I think best represents me. I took a deep breath and started drawing some simple sketches, I didn’t particularly want my face, as most self portraits do, but I wanted to create a part of me and in an abstract way. My first draft was just a few straight lines drawn on a plain piece of printer paper. I liked the idea that I had in my head, though. When I showed my revised draft to a friend of mine, he recommended I add some color. I agreed that having just black and white seemed too gloomy, so I colored it in completely. The color I chose to fill in my hand was navy; dark blue is my favorite color, and I wanted it to represent my individuality in my piece. After adding color, I showed my revisions to my interviewee and good family friend, Ellen Senrich. She said it was a great drawing, but needed some type of trademark to give it a signature. I decided to tear off the sides of the paper to give it a sort of “edgy” feel (no pun intended). Overall, my piece is meant to be a visual representation of my life and story.

Works Cited:

"Erik Erikson." Psychology History. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Jan. 2017. <http://www.muskingum.edu/~psych/psycweb/history/erikson.htm>.

"The 16 MBTI® Types." The Myers & Briggs Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Jan. 2017. <http://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/the-16-mbti-types.htm>.

"How The System Works." The Enneagram Institute. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Jan. 2017. <https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works/>

"Jean Piaget." Biography.com. A&E Networks Television, 19 Feb. 2016. Web. 20 Jan. 2017. <http://www.biography.com/people/jean-piaget-9439915>.

"Type Five." The Enneagram Institute. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Jan. 2017. <https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-5/>.

Ollywood: The Shawshank Redemption Analysis

This action project was done for my elective course: Ollywood. Throughout this course, we studied what goes into pre-production, production, and post-production when creating a film. We also looked at the different meanings within film. The curriculum involved discussion, critiquing, and analyzing films and movies from different perspectives. My overall experience in the class was extremely helpful. I learned more about the movie-making industry than I ever thought I would.  During each unit of production, we learned the entire process that goes into creating that part of the film. We were taught all the roles that were involved in the making of the film, as well as types of camera work and editing. For pre-production, we learned about the people who do all of the preparation for the film, such as location scouts, and then did some activities ourselves. For production, we were assigned to make our own nanomovies, which helped me realize how time-consuming the filming process itself can be. For post-production, we learned all different types of editing techniques. For one of our FEs, we talking with our teacher's father, Ron Mix, who's an oscar winning nominee filmmaker. It was really insightful getting the chance to ask him our questions. On our other FE, our class went to the MorningStar building in Chicago, and got to see all the cameras and equipment they use for their production. This action project, I think, really helped us understand the process of actually going through pre-production, production, and post-production. It certainly helped me gain some insight on what it's like to produce a film, and I thought it was a great way to sum up all the units.