Sofia

Pre-Trip Reflections @Changi Airport: 

1.   How do you feel about the upcoming trip?

I feel very excited.

2.   3 Things that I am looking forward to

I am looking forward to learning more about astronomy, exploring the science museum’s many exhibits, and making new friends.

3.   3 things I hope to learn from Penang

I hope to understand astronomy better, appreciate science and physics better, and learning more about the culture from exploring George Town.

4.   3 things I hope to learn from my friends

I hope to learn how to work together better, how to 

5.   3 things I hope to learn about myself

I hope to learn what my interests in science lie in, for example, I would like to find out whether I enjoy astronomy and physics. I would also like to learn that I can work well with others. Lastly, I would like to see that I have improved my time management skills.

6.   3 challenges I give myself

I challenge myself to make the most out of this trip, to be more collaborative with others, and to make sure that my time management does not fail me.

7.   What are my expectations of Penang?

I think that Penang’s observatories will be quite high-tech. And I think that the science museum will be quite impressive.

Day 1 Reflection: 

As a Record of What Happened

The most important event that happened for me today was the star gazing and looking through the microscopes because it made me feel very impressed and helped me to really apply what we had been taught earlier; for example, pointing out the constellations that we had been taught. 

Insights Into What You Think and Feel About the Ideas or Issues

One of the things that surprised me was the complexity of studying astronomy and the amount of thinking that needs to be used to understand the sky.

Thinking About Your Own Learning

I learn best when I am taught the theory and then allowed to apply it.

Thinking More Deeply

I believe that having a passion for something that is being taught is the key to be able to make the most out of the lesson.

Thinking About Alternative Points of View

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Conclusions

In the future, I would like to learn more about astronomy and gain a deep understanding of it.

Sofia's reflection (Day 2)

As a Record of What Happened

Thinking back over the day what I valued most was how we learned new things while at the same time having fun.

Insights Into What You Think and Feel About the Ideas or Issues

One of the things that surprised me was the robot we met because its movements were very advanced, it could recognise faces and answer questions.

Thinking About Your Own Learning

I learn best when I am having fun with my friends at the same time.

Thinking More Deeply

I believe that to understand and interiorise concepts, one must try to experience them physically.

Thinking About Alternative Points of View

I like to consider others points of view because it makes me think about things in a deeper way and open one’s mind.

Conclusions

I hope I can learn to learn how the concepts and things that we have learned are applied in our lives.




Daily reflection: Day 3

As a Record of What Happened

The most important event that happened to me today was the human Gyro, because it was something that I was initially scared to do, but after doing it, I realised it was actually very fun.

Insights Into What You Think and Feel About the Ideas or Issues

One of the things that surprised me was that the Human Gyro did not make any of my friends, or myself, dizzy, even though it rotates really quickly.

Thinking About Your Own Learning

I learn best when I leave my fears behind and experiment through learning.

Thinking More Deeply

My point of view is that to make the most out of learning, one must be willing to step out of his/her comfort zone.

Thinking About Alternative Points of View

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Conclusions

In the future, I would like to learn more about astronomy because, through the visit to the observatories, I have become more keen on it.



Daily reflection: Day 4

As a Record of What Happened

The most important event that happened to me today was the visit to the Chew Jetty, UNESCO heritage site.

Insights Into What You Think and Feel About the Ideas or Issues

One of the things that surprised me was how they built a settlement using materials they found on the island, mostly timber products and wood to make stilts and the houses.

Thinking About Your Own Learning

I learn best when I physically visit a place, because through the internet, very little detail is given, and there is no interaction with the people there, which helps one understand the culture. 

Thinking More Deeply

My point of view is that to understand a place's culture, it is important to talk and interact with the people there. 

Conclusions

In the future, I would like to explore more places like these and learn about the history at a slightly deeper level.