Solve a World Problem

This particular project was different from previous ones we had completed in this class. Our task was to find an issue going on in the world right now that we would research and brainstorm a potential solution for. My group sorted through several problems we could use for our assignment, but ended up making our final decision to work with the sensitive topic of teen suicide.

We spent a couple weeks on this project. First, we selected our world problem to base our project on. Our next step was to get as much information as we could about this topic by researching thoroughly. After gathering this information, we began to brainstorm possible solutions for our issue. After selecting one, we did more research about our solution. Then, we began to build and structure our "prototype". For my group, this consisted of taking the data we gathered to create questions and speaking points to bring up when we talked to one of San Marin's counselors. After this, we practiced and planned our presentation, which we then presented for real soon after.

By creating a Gantt Chart, we were able to organize and manage our work, time, and productivity. We sectioned out our steps and kept track of what days we worked on that specific task, and who did it. (We all ended up working evenly on everything). This was a good way to track our progress and make sure we stayed on track to finish on time.

We made an informational slideshow presentation that talked a lot about teen suicide as well as our solution and several details about it. We presented this in front of our peers and teacher. We then answered any questions they had, and accepted helpful feedback.

My group and I arranged a meeting with one of San Marin's great counselors in the office. We talked about several different things revolving around teen suicide in our community and at our school. She shared the current things our school was doing about suicide education and prevention, and we presented our ideas we had been brainstorming about solutions that would help prevent and identify teens potentially at risk for harming themselves. We created a series of screening questions that our counselors could ask students to establish depressed or struggling teens. We also wanted to make arrangements with the counselors that they would start having required "check-in" meetings with students to make sure they are mentally healthy and not suicidal. San Marin was actually doing a lot more than we thought and had many resources students could use if they needed help. Most are confidential. Our goal was to maintain confidentiality in some parts, but make sure students are aware of the options they have access to, and make some even more accessible.

Reflection

Overall, I genuinely think this was a great project in so many ways. It was such a contrast from the previous class projects that involved more physics, calculations, etc.. We were able to research and work with a topic we truly cared about and actually is a huge issue going on in society right in front of us today. It really meant something to me and I had a great experience completing this assignment.

My group was able to work very well together. We all got along and were able to use skills and knowledge from past group work experience to improve this one and make sure everything went smoothly. And luckily it did. We shared plenty of ideas and were able to make fair compromises that pleased everyone. We evenly split up work so everyone always had something to do and the work load was fair and even. Last, since we all cared about our subject and took it seriously, I think our final result turned out very good.

I know my group and I can all say we were very proud of our ending product. We worked hard and I think our work really reflects that. Out of all the projects we've done I can definitely say this one was my favorite. I feel that I was deeply engaged and interested in what I was working on and I absolutely learned a lot about this world problem.