Month: March 2026

During this unit, I learned that apples can look and taste different because of both their genetics and the environment they grow in. The genetics decide things like how sweet or sour an apple can be, and the environment affects how those traits actually show up. For example, apples grown in a sunnier place might taste sweeter than the same type grown somewhere colder. I also learned that apples can reproduce sexually through seeds, which creates new varieties, and asexually through grafting, which helps farmers make identical apple trees. Understanding both types of reproduction helped me see why there are so many apple varieties but also why some apples stay the same every time. Overall, the combination of genetics and environment explains why apples have so much variety in taste, color, and texture.

The two learning experiences that helped me the most were the apple DNA extraction and the flower dissection. The DNA extraction was memorable because I could actually see the DNA, which made the idea of cells and genetics feel more real. The flower dissection also helped me because I learn best when I can touch and see things instead of just reading about them. Doing these activities made it easier for me to understand how reproduction works in plants and how traits get passed on.

One thing I want to improve is checking the rubric before I submit my work. Sometimes I forget small details like labels or descriptions, and that affects my grade even when the main idea is correct. If I use the rubric as a checklist, I think my work will be more complete and I won’t need to redo as many assignments.

What did you create? What influenced your choice of media (art materials) for this piece?

I created a close up image of a leaf on a round canvas mostly with water colour but also added some clay around the edges to give more depth.I was inspired by David Goodsell and his scientific images made by watercolour.

How did creating your artwork help you develop your artistic skills? In which specific areas did you notice growth, and where do you see opportunities for further improvement as an artist

I learned new techniques in watercolour from my artwork such as wetting a paper towel, then running it through my artwork so that it makes white lines through the green. I noticed growth in how I hold the brush, before my hands were shaky and I couldn’t hold the brush, now I can hold the brush with no shaking and draw precisely.

How does your artwork relate to your analysis of the subject you chose? 

It relates because David Goodsell also draws scientific images and I decided to draw a close up image of a leaf.

As you analyze his work further, is there anything new you learned about him, his artwork, or his techniques that you found particularly interesting and inspiring?

From David Goodsell, i learned that cells arent just little circles with molecules inside but very detailed organisms that are really complictaed to draw and understand at the same time. His technique of gliding the brush so effortlessly made me amazed, he draws really precisely with water color which is not very easy.

I chose to do David Goodsell because i am inspired of his artwork and i am also interested in cells which explains why i went for a plant leaf type of cell- looking design on my canvas. If i get another chance to collaborate art and science, i would definetely do David Goodsell again.

To make this video, I first had to gather information about Pelé and his childhood or else I wouldn’t have anything to talk about. After finding enough information then making an essay, I needed to find pictures online about him so that I could make a video. Lastly, I timed my speech so that my voice and the pictures would match well, then I included the final photos and finished my video.

For the things that went well, I would say that I looked at the audience a lot while talking and memorised my speech quite well and I also felt very confident during my speech.

I could improve on timing the speech and the photos more precisely and also not procrastinating as much. I felt like I was behind on my video for the photos and also went over my videos time span. I also need to work on answering the main questions about Pelé and gathering more information about him. Instead of speaking about Pelé’s childhood, I just told a story which was wrong because I was supposed to answer the questions about my historical figure and not do the opposite by “storytelling”.