Goals and Learning 

Goals 

Learning Goals

Learning Goal #1: To have a working understanding in technical proficiency in 3D scanning and modalities. 

This goal fits into my career journey because it will be beneficial to know how to assess and look for specific areas of concern when it comes to look at MRI scan or X-rays. Being proficient in 3D scanning and other modalities will give me practice of paying attention to detail and accuracy. 

The tasks, responsibilities, projects, or activities I will be doing to meet this goal are:

1. Obtain training in artec spyder 3D laser scanner 

2. Obtain training in the use of geomagic 3D editing software

3. Obtain training is use and operation of the zortrax m300 3D PLA printer

As I am wrapping up this internship, I have a new skill mastered. I am confident in my ability to utilize 3D technology and software. The majority of my time at this internship I have spent using the different technology equipment and software. I have ran into several issues and now have a whole plan to troubleshoot the issues that arise. This internship has also given me a lot of time to perfect the patients and attention to detail that 3D scanning and editing requires. I am now not only proficient with utilizing the technology, but also efficient. I have become very quick with completing and editing the scans at the high quality that they need to be. Overall, I will take this new skill with me to chiropractic school and hopefully be able to adapt what I need and utilize the skill there as well. 

Learning Goal #2: To apply 3D scanning skills set and technology to develop K-5 online comparative function morphology module (growing up monkey); cranial facial development.

  This goal will prepare me for the future because I will be working to develop a module that needs to be comprehensive for K-5. This will allow me to be able to find different terminology that everyone will be able to understand, but still be accurate with the scientific terminology. 

The tasks, responsibilities, projects, or activities I will be doing to meet this goal are:

1. Create 3D models of an ontogenetic series of juvenile and adult macaque 

2. Create an online interactive 3D module for viewing and comparing 3D skull models 

3. Create an interactive exercise in primate ontogeny for K-5

After spending a good portion of my time working on my specific module (ontogeny) for the K-5 online comparative function morphology module, I have learned how to discuss topics to an audience with limited scientific knowledge. This has helped me explain the differences between the different 3D skulls in the simpliest terms that a young child could comprehend. This is important because it allows me to be very comfortable with the topics that I am talking about, and creatively craft a way to explain the topics to individuals who don't have any scientific background. I am able to talk about how there are differences between the sexes and ages and why they're important. In all, creating this module has made me use my brain differently by taking complex information and make it understandable for a regular individual. I hope to take this crafty thinking with me as a progress through my education, and utilize it for different tasks or topics. 

Learning Goal #3: Completion of data sets and analysis specific to comparative function morphology of the mandible. 

This goal fits into my career journey because doing the data and analysis specific to comparative function morphology of the mandible is useful in understanding the human body, and why it works the way it does in comparison to monkey’s. I think this will deepen my understanding of body mechanics, which will be beneficial for my career. 

The tasks, responsibilities, projects, or activities that I will be doing to meet this goal are:

1. Complete relevant data sets on measurements and angles of monuments and teeth on the mandible. 

2. Work with Dr. Deane of the analysis of said data set 

3. Work with Dr. Deane to apply the correlative models resulting from analysis of the data set to the ape and human fossil record. 

The last few months at the internship, I have been very focused on the completion of data sets and analysis to comparative function morphology of the mandible. Although I understand the importance of the data sets and analysis I am completing, I have found that it is not something I would be interested in moving forward. I have become very efficient and meticulous with the data set and analysis completion. In order for data to be recorded accurately, there are several steps and precautions that are taken to do just that. In my discussions with Dr. Deane about the different measurents I have taken and their importance, I have come to understand the differences between the primate species and humans. Moving forward, I can take my efficiency and attention detail and apply it to my work from now on; However, I do not think data and analysis completion is something that I will strive to do in the future. 

Current Career and Academic goals 

As of right now, and for the last six years, I have been working towards becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic. I hope to complete my undergraduate degree in health sciences, with a certificate in nutrition, in the next two years and continue on to Chiropractic school directly after. I fell in love with the relm of chiropractics and have wanted to be hands on in the field ever since. Not much has steered me away from wanting to become a Chiropractor. I have only found different specializations that I would be interested in doing, with standard chiropractics; For example, I have found that I am very interested in nutrition and the way it affects how your body feels, and also, athletes. These specialization have only made it more exciting to navigate how they will fit into my future career. As the year progressed, I only found myself wanting to achieve my goal of becoming a chiropractor more and more. This internship has taught me a great deal about the anatomy of a primate and how it relates to the human species. Although learning about primates has been rather interesting, I find myself more and more curious about human anatomy because of it. I am excited that this internship has really solidified my choice to continue on the path of becoming a chiropractor. 

Learning

Strongest Skill 

My strongest skill so far is communication. I say communication because I am very meticulus about meeting times, when deadlines are, what the objective for the week is, asking for help when needed, etc. I use this skill weekly, whenever I have a meeting with my supervisor I am sure to communicate what is going well and what's not, tasks that need to be complete for the week, and what the schedule is looks like moving forward. Being confident in communication is something that I have grown into. Normally I would keep to myself and figure things out indepently, with fear of asking for help. I have grown, with this internship, to be confident and learn that it's okay to ask for help and it's good to communicate what is going well at the time. Throughout my time at this intership, communication has become one of the most important skills. I have to learn how to communicate technology issues, so that I could have a solution quickly and continue my work. I have also had to learn how to comminucate and be flexible because of Dr. Deane's busy schedule. It has definitely become one of my most used skills throughout my time at the internship. Another skill that I feel is at the same level as communication is Independence. The majority of the time at my internship I work completely alone. I have had to be comfortable with creating my own schedule and dividing up my work, to fit my schedule and meet deadlines. I think this is important because I have developed good time management and figure out a system that works best for me. 

Weakest Skill

My weakest skill I would have to say is teamwork. I work independently at my internship and Dr. Deane has a very busy schedule, so it's difficult to do "teamwork". I have continued to work on this as the time has gone on by communicating with my supervisor certain times that we may be able to work together on a certain project, rather than me just working on my own. We established meeting at least once every couple weeks to discuss where I am at on certain projects and what needs to take place moving forward. Although we have had more meetings in this past semester, it certainly has not been a significant change in the teamwork skill set. I consider myself to be a team player and work exceptionally well in a team environment. However, I have not had a ton of opportunity to work on this skill at this internship. Moving forward, I will continue to acknowledge my teamwork skills and build upon them. 

Pre-existing skills 

I have been utilizing the skill of confronting challenges and failure throughout my internship. I am not one that is tech savvy, and I have had to overcome that using the different technology and software that this site utilizes. Many of the scans that I have done, have had to do be re-done or I take a break and come back to it. I have figured out ways to independently overcome these challenges, but have also not been afraid to seek out help when needed. If something is not going well, and I have done everything in my power to overcome the obstacle, I am willing to ask for help, so I can be shown the correct way and implement that moving forward. This is a skill that I have previous obtained and have only built upon it throughout my time at this internship. I have come across several technological issues, or even complexity issues of certain measurements and topics. Being able to seek out help and different resources is something that I have utilized consistently throughout this internship, and has allowed me to continue building onto this skill. 

Understanding my coursework 

This internship has helped me better understand the coursework for my major in the aspect of anatomy of the human body. Completeing these scans of different species, that are so closely related to humans, has helped me obtain a better understanding of the content I learn about the human body. Comparative anatomy helps the depth of understanding the similarities and differences in the structures of different organisms. It provides insight into evolutionary relationshps and helps in fields like being a chiropractor. Throughout this internship I have specifically focused the majority of my work on the skull and mandibles of primates. I have learned a great deal about the impact the differences between sexes have on their adaptibility to the environment, role in society, reproductive success, etc, as well as, the differences between ages. This new information that I have learned in this internship has only encouraged me to explore these same differences within the human species. I will take this knowledge with me moving forward, and continue to apply similar concepts to the human body.