Week 1
This week we focused on the Design Thinking Process, Human-Centered Design, and building creative confidence. I spent the majority of my time watching instructional videos that inform me how to think smart AND work hard. I took notes on the majority of the Maker Methodology and Maker Mindset videos. I hope to continue note-taking and documentation throughout the journey.
1. I learned that the process that I follow to create stages and designs for my home church actually has a name. It’s called the Design Thinking Process. I was shocked when watching the videos because I used to look at the trial and error as a failure, and I would get frustrated mid-process. Watching the video was reaffirming and encouraging.
2. Do not give up on an idea because you are stuck. Instead, ask for input from someone that has a different vantage point.
3. It is good to recognize your weaknesses. It makes you a better team player and contributor.
My biggest challenge so far has been time management with my course load. I downloaded a digital agenda. Now I know what I have to get done each day.
A helpful tip that I am learning: Learning how to say no to additional commitments that spread you out too thin.
Week 2
WHAT I DID
I meet up with my team to brainstorm some ideas for bringing sustainability practices in the older community. I finished my 3D printing training at Clemons Library. It was an informative session! I also ran into some of the girls in the cohort at the training.
WHAT I LEARNED
Instead of the word "learned" I would use the word reinforced because I did not learn new skills from last week. However, I put what I learned into practice. For example, I put Design Thinking and Human-Centered design into practice when I met up with my Sustainability group!
WHAT CHALLENGED ME
Finding certain assignments have been hard to find. For example, finding certain links to assignments (specifically the library website that shows all the maker technologies within the RMC)
QUESTIONS I HAVE
When should we begin working on our second maker technology project?
A TIP I WANT TO SHARE
Spread out your work instead of doing everything in one day. A daily agenda is very useful. In addition to dividing work into separate days, the library has so many useful resources besides book search catalogs.
MY PLANS FOR NEXT WEEK
I am finally getting into the groove of things! I will meet with SustainibiliTEAM on Sunday to make some plans for the week.
Week 3
WHAT I DID
This week was really eventful and exciting because SustainabiliTEAM has made a lot of progress. We met up on Sunday, the 6th, at Runk Dining Hall for our weekly meeting. During our meeting, we planned out a rough outline of our team goals for the rest of the semester.
WHAT I LEARNED
I had a much-needed, hard, self-reflection this week about having a growth mindset. The test highlighted where I tend to have a fixed mindset about a situation.
I learned different types of research methods. I focused and I am interested in Expert Interviews, Concept Provocations, and Anangolous Settings.
I am learning how clothing donations are organized. This is preparation for the SustainabiliTEAM project.
WHAT CHALLENGED ME
I did not run into any major problems, but I have been struggling with fluctuating motivation. Somedays I am ready to take on a challenge, and I feel ready to take on the rigor of schoolwork. Other days I have to discipline myself to do work even though assignments are the last thing I want to think about.
QUESTIONS I HAVE
Approximately when are we scheduled to do the Middle School Program?
WISDOM I WANT TO SHARE
“Dreams Don’t Work Unless You Do” is a quote that has been keeping me motivated. Sometimes the hard work you put in feels like a cycle - like you are not going anywhere. But life is kind of like a bike! If you only focus on the spinning wheels it will look like you are not going anywhere; however, if you set back and look at the whole picture, you are actually making progress towards your destination.
MY PLANS FOR NEXT WEEK
I want to complete my VR challenge and my 3D printing challenge. I have my Biology Exam next Friday. This will require me to plan ahead with my studies and responsibilities.
Week 4
WHAT I DID
I completed my 3D printing project. SustainabiliTEAM met with Lela Garner (she works in the office of Sustainability here at UVa). We opened up the floor to questions that solidified how we could benefit UVa students on grounds.
THINGS I LEARNED
I learned how to physically 3D print – not just conceptually I applied my knowledge.
I learned how to hold professional group interviews. It takes cohesive mutual trust and like-mindedness for a common goal.
I am learning to be more flexible and kinder to myself in how I approach challenges that occur. The article we read for “Maker Mindsets” was speaking to me. It felt as if the author knew me personally. After reading “Using Growth Mindset to Get Over Your Fear of Failure”, I started becoming more aware of my unconscious, self-depleting thoughts
CHALLENGES I MET
Setting up the 3D printing was not as easy as I expected it because I had misunderstood the steps of setting up the MakerBot Pro. I was not able to finish my VR project as I hoped, but I created a Facebook account to prepare for the project.
QUESTIONS I HAVE
I do not have any questions as of right now.
WISDOM I WANT TO SHARE
Here is a quote that shook me to the core — “It is important to build the habit of becoming more aware of our automatic thoughts and examining them closely, so we can truly understand why we find ourselves feeling hurt or victimized.” — Mathilde Langevin
MY PLANS FOR NEXT WEEK
I plan on finishing my VR project and working on my second virtual Makerspace project.
week 5
WHAT I DID
I met up with SustainabiliTEAM on Monday to discuss and brainstorm our user questions survey questions for UVA students. During our meeting, we discussed and brainstormed potential Man on the Street and google survey questions. We also sent Ms. Lela Garner a follow-up email thanking her for her insight. Dedra, an amazing bus route navigator and an overall amazing person, and I went to a local Thrift store to interview some of the thrift store managers near us to get an idea of what clothing donation looks like on a large scale!
THINGS I LEARNED
I have never made a google survey before, and I made one for the first time.
I used VR for the first time! It was difficult to try it without getting terrified of an image jumping in my face. It took a lot of trust in technology, and I felt weird about trusting technology to that extent. I sent a lot of great selfies to my siblings.
I am learning patience when researching the Sustainability issue.
CHALLENGES I ENCOUNTERED
I struggled with arranging my exam schedule with my school assignments in general.
QUESTIONS I HAVE
What are some good tips to help build work stamina? To be specific,I have the stamina to sit on a task, but I am not productive the whole time. So my question is, how do you build productive stamina?
A TIP I WANT TO SHARE
Try to build self-care and personal projects that make you happy into your schedule. I find that if I do not build certain tasks I enjoy, I will not get to it. My to-do list tends to be filled with schoolwork, and I often forget that there are things I want to do outside of school.
MY PLANS FOR NEXT WEEK
I plan on finishing my second virtual Makerspace project.
week 6
WHAT I DID
I met up with sustainabiliTEAM. We now have a clear picture of how we might execute the clothing donation for UVA students. We narrowed our brainstorm suggestions to three ideas, and we drew a user concept map! I also finished my 3D modeling project this week.
WHAT I LEARNED
I learned how prototypes actually work, and in fact, prototypes are supposed to be simple, not perfect.
I learned how to draw a User experience concept map for the first time.
As a team leader, I am learning how to conduct team meetings and efficiently keep updates on the team's progress.
WHAT CHALLENGED ME
When I was working on part two of my virtual project, it took a lot of patience. I have the tendency to read or listen to half of the information and then try to wing it on my own. However, that is not the smartest way to learn something challenging for the first time. It is best to listen thoroughly and then take action.
QUESTIONS I HAVE
Approximately how many middle school girls will be in attendance at the camp?
A NUGGET OF WISDOM
"Start projects and homework early so that if you need help you have time to seek out support. This action will definitely help to reduce your stress level" - launchingcollegesuccess
MY PLANS FOR NEXT WEEK
Next week is spring break! I plan to rest and spend time with my family. In terms of work, I plan to reach out to people that can help sustainabiliTEAM set up clothing donation drop-offs. I am sure we will be discussing our prototype over break as well.
week 7
WHAT I DID
I met up with SustainibiliTEAM on Monday, and we planned and delegated our prototype ideas. Aside from making prototypes, I also worked on the Middle School Camp assignments.
WHAT I LEARNED
I learned how to interact with young students by staying away from common stereotypes.
To build credibility, I learned that it is best to acknowledge mistakes made instead of ignoring the mistake.
I learned that as an instructor, I should be open to breaking the ice because the students might be nervous to speak up.
WHAT CHALLENGED ME
Nothing super challenging so far.
QUESTIONS I HAVE
Who will we be working with for the final showcase?
ADVICE I WANT TO SHARE
"Don’t Be Upset with the Results You Didn’t Get, With the Work You Didn’t Do"
- the internet
MY PLANS FOR NEXT WEEK
I plan to finish our prototypes and work on the middle school camp projects.
week 8
WHAT I DID
This week was pretty eventful. As usual, I met with SustainibiliTEAM on Monday to make a detailed plan concerning our clothing swap/donation. I also met up with Laura and we worked on our Middle School Camp project. Lastly, I worked on the prototypes needed for SustainibiliTEAM's project.
WHAT I LEARNED
I learned how to do 3D modeling on Tinkercad.
I learned about my particular work preferences and values by completing the UVA Pathway assessments.
I learned why it is so important to "view change as emergent from an accountable, accessible, and collaborative process, rather than as a point at the end of a process".
WHAT CHALLENGED ME
Planning the logistics of how to execute certain prototypes was challenging.
QUESTIONS I HAVE
I have no questions at the moment.
ADVICE I HAVE
Write your thoughts down! It does not have to be a formal journal. I can be on a sticky not or scrap paper. It helps to significantly reduce occupied brain space and stress.
MY PLANS FOR NEXT WEEK
I plan to work on and finalize the final showcase project.
week 9
WHAT I DID
I met with SustainibiliTEAM on Monday to make a detailed plan concerning our clothing swap/donation. We had to make important decisions and adjustments to the timeline of our mini-pilot project. Our goal is to complete the mini-pilot by April 10th.
WHAT I LEARNED
I learned really interesting concepts about testing prototypes with users.
- Frame questions to encourage building. Open-ended questions work best for these situations. Avoid yes or no questions.
- It is good to go in with logistics planned, so the testing and user experience can be as smooth as possible. By this a specific "subject" will be defined as the test.
- Arrive at better solutions more quickly with iteration instead of one potential solution that takes a long time and still might not work
WHAT CHALLENGED ME
There haven't been many challenges. One thing I can think of is planning a time to meet with my community project team. Everyone has very different schedules. It takes extra communication, but we are making it work!
QUESTIONS I HAVE
I have no questions at the moment.
TIP I WANT TO SHARE
Although planning may come naturally for some and not for others, anyone who wants to be efficient with their time and tasks still needs to plan ahead. You will then have time to do things you love and spend time with friends and family.
Week 10
WHAT I DID
I met up with sustainibiliTEAM. We finalized our orders for the clothing swap along with the official date and time. We will be holding our clothing swap on April 8th from 12pm - 3pm. It will be at the Ohill picnic benches. Laura and I went over to the RMC to rehearse our lesson middle school camp lesson plan and to familiarize ourselves with the equipment.
WHAT I LEARNED
Optimistic thinking can go a long way because it impacts your mindset and over all group interactions.
I learned how to work with lecture podiums (what professors use to present and lecture) for the first time.
I am learning how to be flexible in any given situation because everything is not prototype perfect.
WHAT CHALLENGED ME
Figuring out and solidifying the logistics of the mini-pilot was challenging because there were many limitations to take into account. However, I think it made us better problem solvers.
TIP I WANT TO SHARE
Stay focused and complete on one task at a time instead of dividing your attention to multiple tasks at at the same time. It is more efficient that way.
MY PLANS FOR NEXT WEEK
I plan to do instruct 3D modeling in the middle school camp. We also plan to hold a clothing swap next Friday!
week 11
WHAT I DID
I met up with sustainibiliTEAM. We changed and finalized our orders for the clothing swap along with the official date and time. We will be holding our clothing swap on April 15th from 12pm - 3pm. It will be at the Ohill picnic benches. I went to Hancock and Bonnycastle to set up donation boxes.
WHAT I LEARNED
I learned to be more vocal.
I learned how to send professional, promotional emails.
I learned how to work with middle schoolers with technology.
WHAT CHALLENGED ME
It was hard to plan everyone's availability for the clothing swap. We saw that it was best to move the swap forward by one week in order to avoid exams.
TIP I WANT TO SHARE
Speak up when you have ideas or whenever you feel unsettled about an idea.
MY PLANS FOR NEXT WEEK
I plan to hold the clothing swap this week. I also plan to prepare for the final show case.
Credits:
Created with images by Couleur - "parrot yellow macaw bird" • sarajuggernaut - "stones rocks pebbles" • greenlightvision_ch - "welding work hard hat" • athree23 - "board idea drawn" • Engin_Akyurt - "abstract ink that" • B3R3N1C3 - "woman elderly wrinkes" • Couleur - "water lily flower botany" • Shutterbug75 - "agree agreement asian" • gregade - "african woman woman nigeria woman" • ebrahim - "mother daughter girl" • WenPhotos - "fist strength anger" • pizar_kestrap - "astronaut moon space"