Student 71

My 6-Pan Baking Tray

The first object I chose for this question is my six-pan cupcake baking tray that my mom and I have used since childhood. This baking tray has significant importance to me. It was the tray I used when I created my first dessert: chocolate cupcakes; this tray truly piqued my interest in learning more about the knowledge surrounding baking. Personal experiences help develop knowledge because experiences allow people to understand/come in contact with new concepts to form their understandings and implement new knowledge.

In my scenario, this baking tray helped me understand and expand my “baking knowledge”, which includes understanding how certain ingredients work together, learning proper baking techniques, and following specific instructions to produce the best results. For example, after my first baking experience, I remember researching recipes and watching videos, in an attempt to access more knowledge and produce a delicious outcome. After years of using this small tray, my knowledge of baking techniques exponentially grew. Each personal experience taught me a new thing, whether that was scooping less batter into the tray, making sure products such as butter or milk were at room temperature, and remembering not to forget to add the baking soda/baking powder to the mix before placing the cupcakes into the oven.

The baking tray was included in my exhibition because it is representative of a personal experience of mine and how it improved my knowledge of baking. This object can relate to the optional theme of technology as this object improved my knowledge, permitting me to test my knowledge through the experiment of baking. This tray and the baking experience along with it is the only reason why I still enjoy baking today. Without this experience, my knowledge of baking would have been very different because I would not have gained knowledge through my first-hand experiences.

My Icon of the Nativity Scene

The second object I chose for this question is my icon which features nativity and was gifted to me after attending a religious retreat a couple of years ago. As a person who enjoys learning about my religion, receiving this icon was very dear to me because it was a symbol of the knowledge I gained from this church retreat as well as an item to remember the retreat itself. In this case, the relationship between personal experience and expertise is evident because the icon can be depicted as a bridge that joins them together.

Icons in artwork can possess a deeper meaning, and a person's understanding of the event illustrated enables them to interpret the message within the art, depending on their perspective. This religious retreat, where I initially received the icon, focused a lot on the origin stories regarding Jesus Christ’s prophecies and the beginning of the Christain faith as a whole. Not only is the icon a symbol of my faith but it constantly reminds me of the religious retreat and the knowledge I gained that very day.

The specific icon was included in my exhibition because it displays the knowledge I learned and an item that helps me reflect on the event I participated in, similar to a souvenir. The personal experience associated with this icon brings me joy as it allows me to expand my knowledge and understanding of the faith I am proud to believe in. Without this experience, my religious knowledge would not be the same because removing this personal experience, removes my ability to access new knowledge.

My Cowboys Jersey

The final object for this question is my jersey of Micah Parsons, a Dallas Cowboys defensive linebacker. For the last couple of years, my dad and I have been closely following American Football and bonding over our hometown team: Dallas Cowboys. For Christmas, I bought two jerseys: a Dak Prescott Jersey for him and a Micah Parsons Jersey for me, and we wore these jerseys when the Cowboys went to the playoffs in January 2022. With this object, the personal experience of watching and following football has brought me not only knowledge of American culture but also the knowledge of the bond between my father and me.

One of the only reasons I started watching football was because I would see him watch the games and I wanted to be a part of that setting with him. In terms of personal experience, the NFL playoffs this year felt like a new experience because not only did we have the jerseys but also my dad’s and my knowledge of the team and the NFL as a whole was at an all-time high. I recall how we would look up player statistics for every team in an attempt to determine our toughest opponents or chances of winning. These experiences help develop our knowledge of a sport that we both love, which has helped us grow even closer over the years.

I decided to include my jersey in my exhibition because it showcases one personal experience but also it reminds me of the memories that are yet to come. This object relates to the key concept of culture when my father and I are creating a new tradition to hopefully include my sisters in the future. My experience of watching football with my dad has enhanced our football knowledge as well as the knowledge of our father-daughter bond. Without this experience, my relationship with my dad would be different as I would not have consistent interactions with him over any subject we have in common and truly learn the knowledge to understand football to strengthen our connection.