Yiqing's Portfolio

Now that the Eagle Apprenticeship is officially over, I am reflecting on all the skills I have developed during these activities.

Critical Thinker:

For the Critical Thinker category, I completed the “How could…?” Prompts task and the Ethical Dilemmas task. These activities stood out as the ones that demanded the most in-depth analysis and explanation, as my thought processes during them were often detailed and lengthy. The “How could…?” Prompts task was particularly engaging, as it challenged me to think creatively and invent unconventional solutions for unusual scenarios. For example, one prompt required me to figure out how to use a watch, an umbrella, and a wheelbarrow to rescue a cat from a tree. This exercise pushed me to approach problems from new perspectives and imagine innovative ways to combine everyday objects for unique purposes. On the other hand, the Ethical Dilemmas task was one of my favorites because it allowed me to delve into philosophical questions and explore the complexities of morality in thought-provoking situations. I especially enjoyed reflecting on famous dilemmas, such as the Runaway Trolley problem, which I had heard of before as a widely debated topic. However, the task also introduced me to lesser-known ethical challenges, such as the Stanford Prison Experiment, which deepened my understanding of human behavior and ethical decision-making. These activities not only sharpened my critical thinking skills but also encouraged me to question and refine my own values and beliefs.

Effective Collaborator:

For the Effective Collaborator category, I completed the Fitness Routine task and the Visual Card Organization activity. The Fitness Routine task was a great opportunity to learn about the differences between types of exercises, such as cardio, endurance, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). This activity gave me a deeper understanding of how various forms of exercise contribute to overall fitness and how they can be tailored to meet specific goals. However, between the two tasks, I found the Visual Card Organization activity to be the more enjoyable and engaging. It felt like solving a creative puzzle, requiring teamwork and clear communication to succeed. The challenge involved describing the details of our cards to one another in order to determine the correct sequence of zoomed-in images. It was particularly tricky when the images were too far apart in detail or didn’t seem to connect, which made it difficult to identify which part of the image came next. Despite these challenges, our class worked together effectively and managed to solve the puzzle just fine. This activity not only tested our ability to collaborate but also highlighted the importance of patience and precise communication in achieving a shared goal.

Skillful Communicators:

For the Skillful Communicators category, I completed the Buzzfeed-Style Quiz and the Interview task. For the quiz, I created an engaging activity that matched people’s personalities with different novel character tropes, such as the YA Dystopian protagonist or the Romance Novel protagonist. While designing the questions and outcomes was a fun and creative process, navigating a new platform like Typeform presented some challenges. Initially, I struggled to understand how to connect the questions to the correct results using the platform’s logic tools, but after some trial and error, I managed to create a functioning test, one that I even tried out for myself. The second task I completed was the Interview, where I had the opportunity to interview my mother. This was a meaningful experience that taught me many new things about her life before I was born. I learned about her studies, her time at university, how she met my father, her experiences traveling to a new country, and how she coped with moving so many times. This task not only improved my communication skills through asking thoughtful questions and actively listening, but it also gave me a deeper appreciation for my mother’s journey and the challenges she has faced.

Creative Learner:

For the Creative Learner category, I completed tasks that allowed me to explore and express my creativity in different ways: creating a book cover for The Joy Luck Club, designing a sketch for a t-shirt, and generating a self-portrait using AI. Designing the book cover for The Joy Luck Club was quite interesting as it encouraged me to think deeply about the themes and symbolism of the story. I had to decide how to visually represent the book’s central ideas, eventually settling on combining a house with a Mahjong tile due to the story’s Asian roots and its descriptions of the mothers playing Mahjong. The t-shirt sketch was another enjoyable task, as it allowed me to combine art and functionality. I had to think critically about how my design would look on clothing and how it could appeal to others, which made the process both challenging and exciting. Finally, creating a self-portrait using AI was a unique experience that blended technology and creativity. I had some struggles in making the AI replicate my features, but I found that I was able to represent myself more with glasses and objects in the background. These tasks not only allowed me to express myself artistically but also helped me appreciate the different forms creativity can take, from traditional sketches to digital designs.

Resilience:

For the Resilience category, I completed the VIA Character Strength test and created a vision board, both of which gave me valuable opportunities for self-reflection and personal growth. The VIA Character Strength test allowed me to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of various aspects of my personality, helping me better understand who I am and where I can improve. It was a thought-provoking process that encouraged me to recognize qualities I may not have fully appreciated before while also identifying areas where I could work toward becoming a better person. The vision board task was just as impactful, as it gave me the chance to focus on my goals, interests, and future plans in a creative and tangible way. By visually representing what I want to achieve and what inspires me, I was able to clarify my aspirations and build a stronger sense of purpose. These tasks not only helped me reflect on my personal growth but also empowered me to approach challenges with a clear sense of direction and a deeper understanding of my values.