Students of the Winter 2018 capstone chose to get involved in two different projects: a day of "Gratitude" and College Connections with Ladd Acres Elementary School 5th graders.
Day of "Gratitude"
According to happify.com "People who regularly practice gratitude by taking time to notice and reflect upon the things they're thankful for experience more positive emotions, feel more alive, sleep better, express more compassion and kindness, and even have stronger immune systems." For that reason we chose to spend time sharing reflections of gratitude on the PSU campus. We offered over 100 inspirational quotes to individuals, placed in open spaces and tied to visible structures. As well, we chose gender neutral bathrooms and posed the question, "What are you grateful for?" The reactions from around campus and responses written on sticky notes in the bathrooms were both heartwarming and inspiring.
college connections with Ladd Acres Elementary school 5th graders
Students of the PSU capstone connected with 5th graders at Ladd Acres Elementary School to engage in a "College Connections" event. With the help of Marisa, a PSU student working with the 5th graders for her class project, we constructed and implemented the following plan:
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Majors represented in our class:
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The following are excerpts from these correspondences:
Q: How old were you when you chose your major? What do you like most about your major? What job do you want to have when you get out of college? Which non-profit organization are you working for? I want to be a volunteer at the Humane Society when I am old enough.
A: First of all, thank you for your awesome letter. I am so excited to be writing to you from Portland State. For me, I decided that I wanted to be a Community Developer when I was 20 years old, it is where my heart is. I enjoy working with groups of people to help them build their skills and participate in projects together. Once I graduate, I would love to work for the City of Gresham in the Community Development department. I currently work with Stand for Children, whose mission it is to help all students graduate, but in the future I would really like to work with a nonprofit that helps give people a place to live.
Q: Do you study rock molecules and minerals? If you do, we have a request. Could you find out why when the sea splashes over the sand, the sands wet? We know the water attraction is really high, but they have created a machine that splits up the sand and water molecules but the sand is STILL wet.
A: I like this question. You must be really smart, curious people usually are. It is because the water and sand molecules are much smaller than people can imagine. So, it takes time to let it dry out from the air going around it and heat to dry it out. This process is called saturation. Also, rock molecules are described first as atoms, molecules, unit cells, crystal lattices, element/gems/minerals/soils, and then rocks. My favorite mineral is ice. Did you know that water turns into a mineral when it freezes, then back to water when it melts?
Q: Did you earn any scholarships?
A: Yes, I earned a full ride scholarship from the Ford Family Foundation. It pays for all of my 4-year degree. I got this for doing really well in school.
Q: What do you like about your major? Do you plan to go to graduate school?
A: I plan on using my degree in English to become an elementary school teacher. I am graduating in June and plan to achieve my Master's degree in Teaching soon. I have applied to a lot of schools.
Q: Why was you first major psychology? Why did you change to Social Science?
A: Great questions! I chose psychology for my first major because I loved to analyze the way people think and understand the world. It still fascinates me. That is why I am a social science major. Now, I can take classes from all different subjects that relate to humanity.
Q: What is your work environment? Also what is the job you want to be in?
A: My internship has been at a small health clinic that helps people no matter how young or old they are, or if they have medical insurance, or even if they have a home or not. I have a desk in an office room shared by several people and it can get kind of noisy. I have been working on a program that provides children (up to age five) a book when they go to the doctor for their well-child check-up. My co-workers teach classes helping patients learn how to manage chronic diseases like diabetes, as well as eating healthy.
Q: I wonder what your inspiration was for your major or if anything gave you the idea for doing what you want to do?
A: Thank you for your letter! You have some great questions. I am a person who likes to think deeply about my surroundings, understand people, and feel what they feel. We need people who can help, listen, and be honestly and genuinely kind. I am really interested in becoming a school counselor.
Q: I hear you like to help kids out and like to remind them how important our community is. Like, I know that right now I want to help kids that have tough things going on in their life. Did you always want to do this?
A: Thank you for your thoughtful questions. I love that you have an interest in younger kids. I have always worked with young children and have loved it too! What is it that you like to do with younger kids? Draw, math, read?
Q: What career would you like? What types of films have you made?
A: My dream career is to become a screenwriter and win an Oscar. I have learned other aspects of the film industry like production, lighting, and editing. So, I am able to have a career in those fields too. I have made a romantic comedy (ew, I know), but would love to do animation and a movie about dinosaurs.
Q: I love to code, eat, and sleep (mostly code). I like your major because you can do so many things with it like sculpt, draw, color, paint, sketch and more. What is your favorite thing to design?
A: I really enjoy creating public art. I like to push boundaries and make people think about our spaces and why or how we decide to design and live in them.
*This work would not have been possible without the help and guidance of PSU student Marisa, the 5th grade students at Ladd Acres Elementary school and their supportive teacher.
The following are excerpts from these correspondences:
Q: How old were you when you chose your major? What do you like most about your major? What job do you want to have when you get out of college? Which non-profit organization are you working for? I want to be a volunteer at the Humane Society when I am old enough.
A: First of all, thank you for your awesome letter. I am so excited to be writing to you from Portland State. For me, I decided that I wanted to be a Community Developer when I was 20 years old, it is where my heart is. I enjoy working with groups of people to help them build their skills and participate in projects together. Once I graduate, I would love to work for the City of Gresham in the Community Development department. I currently work with Stand for Children, whose mission it is to help all students graduate, but in the future I would really like to work with a nonprofit that helps give people a place to live.
Q: Do you study rock molecules and minerals? If you do, we have a request. Could you find out why when the sea splashes over the sand, the sands wet? We know the water attraction is really high, but they have created a machine that splits up the sand and water molecules but the sand is STILL wet.
A: I like this question. You must be really smart, curious people usually are. It is because the water and sand molecules are much smaller than people can imagine. So, it takes time to let it dry out from the air going around it and heat to dry it out. This process is called saturation. Also, rock molecules are described first as atoms, molecules, unit cells, crystal lattices, element/gems/minerals/soils, and then rocks. My favorite mineral is ice. Did you know that water turns into a mineral when it freezes, then back to water when it melts?
Q: Did you earn any scholarships?
A: Yes, I earned a full ride scholarship from the Ford Family Foundation. It pays for all of my 4-year degree. I got this for doing really well in school.
Q: What do you like about your major? Do you plan to go to graduate school?
A: I plan on using my degree in English to become an elementary school teacher. I am graduating in June and plan to achieve my Master's degree in Teaching soon. I have applied to a lot of schools.
Q: Why was you first major psychology? Why did you change to Social Science?
A: Great questions! I chose psychology for my first major because I loved to analyze the way people think and understand the world. It still fascinates me. That is why I am a social science major. Now, I can take classes from all different subjects that relate to humanity.
Q: What is your work environment? Also what is the job you want to be in?
A: My internship has been at a small health clinic that helps people no matter how young or old they are, or if they have medical insurance, or even if they have a home or not. I have a desk in an office room shared by several people and it can get kind of noisy. I have been working on a program that provides children (up to age five) a book when they go to the doctor for their well-child check-up. My co-workers teach classes helping patients learn how to manage chronic diseases like diabetes, as well as eating healthy.
Q: I wonder what your inspiration was for your major or if anything gave you the idea for doing what you want to do?
A: Thank you for your letter! You have some great questions. I am a person who likes to think deeply about my surroundings, understand people, and feel what they feel. We need people who can help, listen, and be honestly and genuinely kind. I am really interested in becoming a school counselor.
Q: I hear you like to help kids out and like to remind them how important our community is. Like, I know that right now I want to help kids that have tough things going on in their life. Did you always want to do this?
A: Thank you for your thoughtful questions. I love that you have an interest in younger kids. I have always worked with young children and have loved it too! What is it that you like to do with younger kids? Draw, math, read?
Q: What career would you like? What types of films have you made?
A: My dream career is to become a screenwriter and win an Oscar. I have learned other aspects of the film industry like production, lighting, and editing. So, I am able to have a career in those fields too. I have made a romantic comedy (ew, I know), but would love to do animation and a movie about dinosaurs.
Q: I love to code, eat, and sleep (mostly code). I like your major because you can do so many things with it like sculpt, draw, color, paint, sketch and more. What is your favorite thing to design?
A: I really enjoy creating public art. I like to push boundaries and make people think about our spaces and why or how we decide to design and live in them.
*This work would not have been possible without the help and guidance of PSU student Marisa, the 5th grade students at Ladd Acres Elementary school and their supportive teacher.