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My name is Valerie Thomas, and this is my exceptional atory; the origin of 3D

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BY KAHA G. – 14 YEARS OLD

As you may not know, my name is Valerie Thomas, someone so exceptional, that some people didn’t want me recognized for my brilliance. Now let me tell you a story about how my journey has positively impacted our world in ways you’ve never seen before.

My love for technology, science, and math started from a young age, but I find it interesting that no one encouraged me. Even my own father didn’t want to work on any projects with me, when he knew that I took after him.  So, I took the situation into my own hands since no one was there to help me, but myself.

I checked out a book called “The Boy’s First Book On Electronics,” at the library, one of my beloved places, the only place that would help me without refusals. Delicate words on a page that make such an astronomical difference to someone’s world, a way to escape and do what you enjoy.

It’s an odd world we live in, for some reason it seems that boys are supposed to have real jobs, and girls are just left there in the dust to pick up their scraps when they drop it. For example, in toy ads for little children, boys get building toys, while girls get mermaid Barbie dolls. Why are our futures determined at such a young age? I don’t want to grow up to be a mermaid Barbie doll; I want to work for NASA.

After graduating from High School, I was finally given a chance to explore my interests at Morgan University, as I was one of two women that went there. Now that’s what I call change, giving someone the chance to prove them wrong.

When my years at Morgan were ending, I graduated with a degree in physics, and better yet NASA offered me a job! I’m officially a data analyst/mathematician; hard work really does pay off doesn’t it?

When the 1980’s rolled along, I had this burning thought that kept me up at night. To make an invention so crazy that future generations would be praising me for it, but the only problem was that I had to give it life. Although, I was going to make something new, it would without a doubt have to be with concave mirrors. I need to challenge myself, and see how they could be incorporated into my work at NASA.

In that case, I present to you the Illusion Transmitter, a device so astonishing that it gives you a new way of viewing the world. It creates an optical illusion, so not only would it look like the image is in front of you, but you can see all three sides. Isn’t that fascinating!

In all realness, my device was so exceptional that it’s used in surgeries, and television. That’s “two birds, one stone for you.” I’m especially proud of the patent I received, because of how my invention contributed to organization research hugely.

Look “All good things come to an end,” said Geoffrey Chaucer, but that doesn’t mean my legacy has to.

My retirement leaves me with the titles of Project Manager of the Space Physics Analysis Network and Associate Chief of the Space Science Data Operations Office. Quite a mouthful to say, but it represents all of my perseverance and dedication to prove that my love for something can be brought to great measures.

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Junior Contributors

To make education better, teachers need to change how they connect with students

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BY KAHA GEDI

Teaching isn’t just about giving information; it’s about creating learning experiences that students find interesting and useful. When teachers try new ways to connect with their students, learning becomes more exciting and not to mention meaningful. Here are five essential tips for schools and educators to support students.

Introducing Michigan Virtual, or LANSING, Mich, who unveiled a bold 2025-2030 Strategic Plan for transforming education. They are a leader in learning innovations and are sharing key tips for educators and schools to build off their new 2025-2030 Strategic Plan. This ambitious plan accentuates three strategic priorities: driving educational change, broadening student pathways, and powering professional learning. These efforts aim to address Michigan’s urgent need for educational talent development and provide innovative, technology-driven learning solutions for students and educators alike. These efforts aim to address Michigan’s urgent need for educational talent development and provide innovative, technology-driven learning solutions for students and educators alike. Other regions, including Toronto, Ontario can also learn from these strategies and use them to improve their own educational systems too.

To support both students and educators, schools should look to:

  • Adopt new learning models: Schools should explore innovative educational measures like virtual training and project-based learning to meet diverse needs. These models allow students to engage in hands-on experiences that relate to real-world problems, helping them develop important skills like teamwork and critical thinking.
  • Expand career pathways: Focus on integrating flexible, real-world learning experiences to prepare students for life beyond school. This could include: job shadowing, internships, or partnerships with local, or small businesses, giving students a chance to explore different careers and understand what skills are needed. I think this is a great idea because it diversifies students’ experiences and helps them get ready for the real world. It shows them how what they learn in school can be used in real-life situations. By taking part in these opportunities, students can make important connections and learn more about their future careers.
  • Prioritize professional development: Investing in flexible learning opportunities to keep up with trends in education technology is crucial. Providing teachers with ongoing training helps them learn new tools and techniques, which they can then use to enhance their teaching and better support their students.
  • Foster collaborative networks: Engaging with partners such as Michigan Virtual to introduce and attain system-wide transformations. Collaboration allows schools to share resources and best practices, creating a stronger support system for educators and students alike. By working together, schools can implement new ideas more effectively.
  • Leverage technology: Use AI and other tech tools to create personalized, high touch learning environments that enhance student engagement. Technology can help make lessons to fit individual student needs, making learning more enjoyable and effective. For example, virtual reality experiences, which can be provided with a higher budget, and can be used once in while during classes, can definitely make lessons more interactive.

In conclusion, to make education better, teachers need to change how they connect with students. By trying new learning methods, offering real-world experiences, supporting teacher training, working together with partners, and using technology, schools can create meaningful learning experiences. Michigan Virtual plan shows that these ideas can help students and teachers today and prepare them for the future. By using these strategies, schools can improve learning and help students succeed.

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Junior Contributors

6 Essential tips for mastering college productivity

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BY AMARI SUKHDEO

Balancing college classes, assignments, part-time jobs, and personal life can be challenging, especially when everything feels like a top priority. Between study sessions, deadlines, and social commitments, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

However, developing effective productivity habits can help you: stay organized, reduce stress, and even carve out more time for the things you enjoy. Here are six essential tips to help you stay on top of your responsibilities without sacrificing your well-being.

Use a calendar to organize your time

Start by organizing your schedule using a calendar or planner, whether it’s digital or paper based. Set aside time for classes, study sessions, and any other commitments, making sure to include travel time, meals, and breaks. Having a clear view of your week ahead can help prevent missed deadlines and last-minute stress.

Make a focused to-do list

Every week, create a to-do list that includes both large and small tasks. Estimate how long each one will take, then prioritize them based on deadlines and difficulty. A well-organized list can help you stay focused and makes it easier to work through your day without feeling overwhelmed. Re-evaluate your list as the week goes on, moving completed tasks off the list and adding any new ones to keep everything up to date.

Tackle tasks during your peak hours

Everyone has certain times of the day when they’re most alert. Identify your peak productivity hours, whether morning, or late night and schedule your hardest work for those times. Experiment with different times of day to discover what works best for you, and be flexible; sometimes schedules shift, so having a backup plan can be useful when you need it.

Eliminate distractions

Staying focused is key to getting things done efficiently. Find a study spot where you can work without interruptions, and turn off phone and app notifications during study sessions. Using a timer to work in focused blocks, such as 25 minutes with a short break afterward, can keep your mind on track and prevent burnout. If you’re easily tempted by social media or browsing, consider apps that temporarily block distractions, or allow access to them only during breaks.

Take regular breaks to recharge

Taking breaks might seem counterproductive, but they’re essential for maintaining focus over time. If you feel mentally exhausted, or start losing concentration, step away for a short walk, do some stretching, or grab a snack. Breaks help recharge your mind, allowing you to return to tasks with renewed energy. You might also want to include “micro-breaks,” where you pause for a minute, or two to stretch, or breathe deeply, especially during longer study sessions.

Remember self-care

Your well-being directly impacts your productivity. Make time for sleep, eat balanced meals, and find ways to manage stress, like: deep breathing, exercise, or meditation.

While self-care might feel like another “task” on your list, it’s crucial for staying healthy and keeping up with the demands of college life. Building these habits now will pay off in better focus, higher energy, and greater resilience over time.

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Junior Contributors

It is all about using technology as a tool, not as a crutch

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Photo Credit: Look Studio

BY KHADIJA KARIM

Artificial Intelligence, or AI for short, is already here. It is in our phones and video games. It is even in the things we search. While AI can be great, some experts say depending on it too much could actually change how we think, and that might not be good for us!

So, what does AI really do? It is a tool that learns from info it sees and then uses what it learned to make rules about new stuff it hasn’t seen before. This can save us time and energy by helping us find what we are looking for fast, but there are a few bad things about getting all this convenience.

One thing I worry about is that if we rely on AI too much, then we might not be able to really do certain things well. For example, let’s say you started using a calculator for all the math problems you need to solve, then it would start becoming harder and harder for you to even do simple math in your head. Similarly, if we start relying on AI to make decisions, or even help us think of new ideas, then we have no way of getting better at it ourselves. It will certainly help make things easier, but at the same time I would not want to lose my ability to come up with unique original thoughts, or process information myself. If everything was done by AI in our lives there won’t be much space left for us to think.

So how do we solve this? The answer is simple. AI can be an amazing tool, it was created to help us in our daily lives after all, but that’s all it should be; a tool. Just because something can be done for us doesn’t mean it has to be. Understanding and accepting that concept is important if we want to ensure our skills remain sharp and unique.

In conclusion, while AI can make our lives easier, we need to be careful not to let it take away our ability to think and create independently. It’s all about using technology as a tool, not as a crutch. If we stay mindful of this, we can enjoy the benefits of AI while still being true to ourselves.

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