For my Capstone, I co-led a video game mini-course for 7th and 8th graders over two years. The mini-course, a student-led elective on Wednesday afternoons, introduced younger students to the world of video games through weekly lessons and hands-on activities. My team and I taught topics like game development, gaming history, hardware, virtual reality, and motion controls. We started each session with a presentation and discussion, followed by gameplay related to the lesson. Classroom management was a major challenge, but we developed systems—such as behavior rules, structured consequences, and attention strategies—to keep students engaged and respectful. I also contributed behind the scenes by troubleshooting tech issues and supporting students during projects. One highlight was the final assignment where students created their own game companies, complete with posters, game concepts, and console designs. It was rewarding to see them take ownership of their ideas and work collaboratively. Personally, this experience helped me break out of my comfort zone, improve my leadership skills, and gain confidence speaking in front of a group. I also deepened my interest in educational technology and discovered the value of patience and adaptability. This Capstone not only helped middle schoolers explore gaming in a meaningful way, but it also helped me grow into a more capable, supportive, and reflective individual.

The PSA discussed water contamination in Philadelphia, focusing on its effects on biotic factors, leading cause, and ways to make water safer. The main cause is stormwater drains, where toxins and trash enter, causing acidity and affecting marine life and human health. To address this issue, practices like water conservation, reducing plastic waste, throwing away trash, and walking can help. The PSA was meaningful for the author, as it highlighted the importance of reducing water contamination and engaging in activities for the future. The video was edited well, but there were some improvements, such as better audio recording and less loud background sound effects. The most minimal aspect of the creativeness was spending awareness on our community.

Unit Essential Questions:

What value do we see in the biodiversity and natural resources of the earth? - That every species helps bring something that can help their surrounding environment thrive.

What human actions are associated with altering Earth’s natural systems? - Vehicles (Cars, Boats, & Planes), Factories, and Household appliances.

How can individuals, communities, and or nations live more sustainably? - Use reusable items or biodegradable products.

Reflection Questions:

How did this project deepen your understanding of sustainability? - By keeping their products local so they don’t need to import the products they need.

What information about your chosen industry surprised you most? Why? - Nothing surprised me about the information all of it made sense.

How did you contribute to your groups project? Provide specific examples. What were you proud of, in terms of your overall project? - I worked on the slides with 2 other people and partially worked on the physical but the I got the supplies needed for the physical model.

1.) The Earth’s systems, including the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere, are intricately interconnected. Changes in one system can have cascading effects on others. For instance, alterations in the atmosphere, such as increased greenhouse gas emissions, can lead to global warming, impacting the hydrosphere by melting polar ice caps and subsequently affecting the biosphere through changes in habitats and ecosystems.

2.) Having an understanding of environmental science can aid in handling natural disasters by providing insights into the underlying processes that contribute to their occurrence. This knowledge can inform the development of effective mitigation strategies, early warning systems, and sustainable recovery plans, thereby minimizing the impact of disasters on human lives and the environment.