CONTD PART 4

My knowledge of recycling, sustainability and the environment around us has drastically increased. My understanding of polystyrene, its uses, impacts and effects has increased profusely. Other areas where I extended my knowledge include a greater understanding of the importance of the issue and the immediate need of the solution. I believe the prior knowledge, interest and devotion to the subject will aid me in the future. If in case I decide to take up environmental studies in the future I could use the knowledge I developed through the course of this journey and apply it there. I could also research more ways in which limonene could be used and provide benefits to the sustainability of the environment.

How has completing the Project extended my knowledge and understanding of the global context?

 My project has definitely allowed me to gain a better understanding of the chosen global context, globalisation and sustainability. Producing my product I had to view the world around me through a new lens, a lens of curiosity, ingenuity, exploration & risk. Using the elements of the global context such as “interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities” and “ the impact of decision - making on humankind and the environment”, I had to create my research question and goal in correspondence with these guidelines. I have learned through research how individual instances of unsustainability can lead to a bigger problem affecting people all across the globe. Through my project I understood many sub-topics under my main global context. I was able to draw links between humans and their effect on the environment as well as how local communities can impact global ones. My project led to a greater understanding of how humans make decisions that directly or indirectly affect the environment around them.

I have become much more balanced, when it came to distributing my workload evenly with my personal project assignments, extra-curriculars, academic and sport life. This allowed for me to be able to finish assignments on time as well as to have my head above my water at times in which I had felt overwhelmed by from my other tasks. I have improved as a communicator because I not only conducted research but presented it in a way that was understandable by my audience

 Finally I have improved as a risk-taker because I set quite a challenging and complicated goal, Although I knew the journey of developing the digester would be a moonshot, I couldn't think of working on another project. This journey not only sharpened the skills I possess, it introduced to me to several new skills, new information, new people and truly changed the way I perceive the world I live in, opening a door of new possibilities & opportunities.

Through my project I want people to appreciate the power they have to bring about change in society. I want people to understand that each and every person should do their part in help reducing pollution and climate change as each small step would make a big difference in the long run. Through my work and implementing the ways that styrofoam could possibly be recycled would encourage more people to do it.