Evaluation of AP Biology 2014/15
How has your experience in AP Biology compared to your expectations from the start of the year?
In many ways, my experience with AP Biology has lived up to my expectations. When I first heard about the challenges that would face me, I was immediately overwhelmed. People around me at that point in time definitely noticed. And that was before I actually decided to take the course.
But out of the five juniors who enrolled in AP Bio at the beginning of the year, only two stayed in the class. I'm quite proud to say that I was one of them.
From the beginning I expected that Bio would bring an extensive workload, numerous challenges, and an immense amount of knowledge. I turned out to be right.
The challenges I encountered did not surprise me. I was ready for what I had signed up for. However, the class did not only bring a ton of work, reading, and assessments. It also brought learning. Growth. Development. AP Bio taught me a lot about how I learn best and who I want to be in the future. I learned how to love science. I learned what kind of subjects I might want to study in university. I learned how to hypothesize, observe, and think more critically. I also learned (like one does so many times in life) that mistakes are okay. Mistakes allow us to adjust and adapt. Most of my expectations came true and I can safely say that I am incredibly grateful for what I experienced this year.
What was your biggest triumph in AP Biology?
If I had to choose my biggest triumph, it would probably have to be the success I had with learning the material. Scoring well on the examinations showed me that the time and effort I put in to reading and learning the information in each chapter paid off. I am happy to say that (most of the time) I found some enjoyment in learning about the biology of life.
What was your biggest challenge?
My absolute biggest challenge all year? Hmm. Probably finding a rhythm by which to engage with the class. What I mean by that is that in the beginning of the year, the amount of work and the step into 11th grade was difficult for me to get used to. I had to look for ways to work most efficiently. I had to find a routine and the methods that worked best for me.
AP Bio presented me with a multitude of new demands and I did my best to meet all of them. Throughout the year I certainly found my rhythm and stuck to it.
What was your favorite unit or topic? Explain why it was your favorite.
This is easy. Ecology. In my opinion this unit, like I explained in the reflection on Chapter 56, is the most important one in the entire textbook. I believe that in our current international world, the way in which ecosystems and areas of our planet work together, the way in which they rely on each other, is central to how we live here. Most of us don't understand how much we rely on the rain forest. Or the water that is being sucked dry (hello drought in CA). Or the other beings that inhabit this planet alongside us. It is high time that we realize it.
Although the chapters in this unit do not provide the most comprehensive examination of why what and how humans are changing Earth for the worse, they are chapters that require adequate study and devotion of thought. This unit is my favorite because it challenges me to think globally. It is my favorite because I believe everyone should be educated about it. The relations and interactions between organisms and their environment is what will govern foreign and domestic affairs of every country for years to come. If we don't work together to maintain an ecological balance, the beauty, efficiency, and unity of our shared planet will not persist. I want that trend to change.
What was your favorite project (not lab experiment) that you worked on this year? Why?
I found the Flower Stories that we had to write in groups to be a really fun project. Students came up with stories about flowering plants and had to integrate vocabulary words. Groups worked together to make a storybook and even illustrated it. I thought that this activity was enjoyable and helped students learn the terminology of Chapter 38 and 39. Every story was read aloud, some were funny, some were romantic. All in all, this was a kind of activity that high school kids usually don't get to perform anymore, since drawing and creating artsy projects is generally left in elementary school. But that is what made it unique and amusing.
What is the most valuable lesson or skill that you've learned through your class experience this year? (Describe something you think will help you in your future.)
This whole course has taught me so much. One thing that I know will help me in the future is having been introduced to college-style classes. I now have a better understanding of how I will operate in university and how I can succeed. Pre-reading the textbook and taking notes for class gave me a preview of what it may be like when I take real college courses. This is probably what will be most valuable to my academic life in the future. Bio helped me to hone my skills as an independent, proactive, and capable student.
How has your experience in AP Biology compared to your expectations from the start of the year?
In many ways, my experience with AP Biology has lived up to my expectations. When I first heard about the challenges that would face me, I was immediately overwhelmed. People around me at that point in time definitely noticed. And that was before I actually decided to take the course.
But out of the five juniors who enrolled in AP Bio at the beginning of the year, only two stayed in the class. I'm quite proud to say that I was one of them.
From the beginning I expected that Bio would bring an extensive workload, numerous challenges, and an immense amount of knowledge. I turned out to be right.
The challenges I encountered did not surprise me. I was ready for what I had signed up for. However, the class did not only bring a ton of work, reading, and assessments. It also brought learning. Growth. Development. AP Bio taught me a lot about how I learn best and who I want to be in the future. I learned how to love science. I learned what kind of subjects I might want to study in university. I learned how to hypothesize, observe, and think more critically. I also learned (like one does so many times in life) that mistakes are okay. Mistakes allow us to adjust and adapt. Most of my expectations came true and I can safely say that I am incredibly grateful for what I experienced this year.
What was your biggest triumph in AP Biology?
If I had to choose my biggest triumph, it would probably have to be the success I had with learning the material. Scoring well on the examinations showed me that the time and effort I put in to reading and learning the information in each chapter paid off. I am happy to say that (most of the time) I found some enjoyment in learning about the biology of life.
What was your biggest challenge?
My absolute biggest challenge all year? Hmm. Probably finding a rhythm by which to engage with the class. What I mean by that is that in the beginning of the year, the amount of work and the step into 11th grade was difficult for me to get used to. I had to look for ways to work most efficiently. I had to find a routine and the methods that worked best for me.
AP Bio presented me with a multitude of new demands and I did my best to meet all of them. Throughout the year I certainly found my rhythm and stuck to it.
What was your favorite unit or topic? Explain why it was your favorite.
This is easy. Ecology. In my opinion this unit, like I explained in the reflection on Chapter 56, is the most important one in the entire textbook. I believe that in our current international world, the way in which ecosystems and areas of our planet work together, the way in which they rely on each other, is central to how we live here. Most of us don't understand how much we rely on the rain forest. Or the water that is being sucked dry (hello drought in CA). Or the other beings that inhabit this planet alongside us. It is high time that we realize it.
Although the chapters in this unit do not provide the most comprehensive examination of why what and how humans are changing Earth for the worse, they are chapters that require adequate study and devotion of thought. This unit is my favorite because it challenges me to think globally. It is my favorite because I believe everyone should be educated about it. The relations and interactions between organisms and their environment is what will govern foreign and domestic affairs of every country for years to come. If we don't work together to maintain an ecological balance, the beauty, efficiency, and unity of our shared planet will not persist. I want that trend to change.
What was your favorite project (not lab experiment) that you worked on this year? Why?
I found the Flower Stories that we had to write in groups to be a really fun project. Students came up with stories about flowering plants and had to integrate vocabulary words. Groups worked together to make a storybook and even illustrated it. I thought that this activity was enjoyable and helped students learn the terminology of Chapter 38 and 39. Every story was read aloud, some were funny, some were romantic. All in all, this was a kind of activity that high school kids usually don't get to perform anymore, since drawing and creating artsy projects is generally left in elementary school. But that is what made it unique and amusing.
What is the most valuable lesson or skill that you've learned through your class experience this year? (Describe something you think will help you in your future.)
This whole course has taught me so much. One thing that I know will help me in the future is having been introduced to college-style classes. I now have a better understanding of how I will operate in university and how I can succeed. Pre-reading the textbook and taking notes for class gave me a preview of what it may be like when I take real college courses. This is probably what will be most valuable to my academic life in the future. Bio helped me to hone my skills as an independent, proactive, and capable student.