Reshaping Education Towards Adult Life

Hello and welcome to my final presentation for the Winter term of my Sophomore year (2019-20). This presentation is based on a workshop I had in my STEAM course Disease. My guiding question was inspired by a disaster plan I made starting out Unit III of Disease. My guiding question is, "What skills do students need to survive in the "real world" and how can education systems better prepare them?".  I formed this question from my own and my elders' experience(s). Some feel that they would've thrived earlier in life if they were taught life skills for their future earlier in their education. I started focusing more on survival during a nationwide pandemic but later refined my studies by focusing on life skills that boost the chances of survival. I hope you enjoy.

Song of Solomon Should Not Be Banned

Hello, my name is Nakiya'h and welcome to my final action project for my Humanities course, Forbidden Books. Overall I have really enjoyed this hands-on course focused on literacy and literature  In this unit, we discussed books in America that might have been controversial and surprisingly have been banned. For my action project, I re-read Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison. I researched the reasons behind the banning and censorship of one of her most popular novels. I hope you enjoy reading my research paper!

Toni Morrison, 2006. Oil on canvas by Robert McCurdy

Bipolar Disorder I

Hi and welcome to my second action project for my STEAM class called Disease. In this class, we have been looking into different mental disorders. During this second unit, we read the book, The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida. The novel is about a young boy who has autism. Throughout the book, the author answers questions people have about autism and the way he deals with his autism. In class, we also learned how to create piecewise functions by graphing the different brain waves people produce. We mainly studied the DSM-V (Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of mental disorders fifth edition). The three mental disorders we researched closely are schizophrenia, OCD, and autism. With the DSM-V we looked at the overviews and diagnostic criteria of each disorder along with some related disorders.

For this action project, we had to choose a disorder to focus on and research. I chose to research bipolar disorder 1. I was assigned to lead a lesson for my class demonstrating how it feels to have bipolar disorder. I also had to record the brainwaves of our classmates during the whole session.


Bipolar Disorder I (Bipolar Disorder)
Bipolar Disorder is a mental disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, concentration, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. (NIMH) is also known as bipolar disease or manic depression. I define Bipolar Disorder as a mental disorder that mixes the emotions, energy, and activity levels negatively by increase or decrease.

According to the DSM-V., criteria for at least one manic episode (Criteria A-D under “Manic or Hypomanic Episode” above) has to be met in order to diagnose someone with Bipolar Disorder I.

I found an interview with Demi Lovato where she at down with “Extra’s” Renee Bargh and opened up about being one of the more than 12 million Americans living with bipolar disorder. She is outspoken about her struggles with drug addiction, bulimia, and mental illness.

Some takeaways from this interview were that people often throw the word “bipolar” around very often and in situations that don’t relate to bipolar disorder at all. Also, there’s a lot of negative stigmas when it comes to discussing mental illness in America. During the interview, Demi Lovato said, "The biggest misconception when it comes to bipolar disorder, in particular, is that you’re fine one minute then you’re not fine the next minute. In reality that’s not how that works."

Below you can find my slideshow further explaining the disorder, a lesson plan video, and template, piecewise function and graph, and poster. I hope you enjoy!

 



 

Works Cited

“Area of Brain Linked to Bipolar Disorder Pinpointed.” ScienceDaily, 2017, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/01/170124144000.htm. Accessed 3 Mar. 2020.

“Bipolar Disorder | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness” Holland, Kimberly. “Everything You Need to Know About Bipolar Disorder.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 18 Jan. 2018, www.healthline.com/health/bipolar-disorder. Accessed 12 Mar. 2020. ‌

“NIMH » Bipolar Disorder.” Nih.Gov, 12 Mar. 2020, www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml. Accessed 12 Mar. 2020. ‌

Dogmas of Song of Solomon (Macon Dead Jr.)

Hello, I'm N.L. and welcome to my blog. This action project is for the second unit, Dogma, for my Humanities course class Forbidden Books. In this class, we discussed different religions such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism and how they each are similar and different from each other. Our main focus of this was to discover that each religion rests on the same common fundamentals. Islam and Judaism both believe that they are ancestors of Abraham. Buddha and Confucianism both follow the `golden rule”. We continued to discuss books in America that focus on religious\cultural contexts that have surprisingly been banned.


For this unit, we were required to read 3 books for this unit, 1 independent and 2 class books. First, we read The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. This book was banned from America’s schools for different reasons such as religion, sexual content, and the use of racial slurs. Next, we read Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury; which was banned because of its vulgarity and its plot where one of the books that eventually gets banned and burned in the Bible. We went on a field experience to WBEZ to speak with Natalie Moore, a journalist whose book, “The Almighty P Stone Nation: The Rise, Fall, and Resurgence of an American Gang” was banned from the Illinois prison system. There we talked to Natalie Moore about the banning of her book and her opinions on censorship and banning literature in institutions. We also visited the Muslim Community Center to learn more about Islam and the difference in the types of Muslim beliefs. Independently, the students were required to read a book of their choosing. The only criteria for the book are it needed to have been banned from schools.

For this action project, I chose to read Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison. This interview focuses on examining how the setting (time and place) of the book influences Macon Dead Jr.’s personal dogmas.

Opening Sounds (‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” by The Andrews Sisters)

The novel Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison spans from Milkman's birth to age 32 (1932-1963) while including the three generations of the Dead family's history. It occurs around the time of World War II, the Harlem Renaissance, the murder of Emmett Till in 1953, the Brown v. Board of Education decision occurred in 1954 to desegregate schools, and the Civil Rights movement was starting up. Jobs back then were well earned and hard labored. If you didn’t work and had no money you lived in poverty and that' was that. Women worked as well as men but weren’t treated with the same view as men. Segregation then was by social class but obviously by race. 

It’s 1961, and today I’m interviewing Macon Dead Jr also known as Macon Dead II. Father of Milkman, Lena, and First Corinthians and brother to Pilate Dead. Our session takes place in Montour County, Pennsylvania on the porch of the beautiful farm owned by his father. Our interviewee’s father was once a slave in Virginia. When he was freed, he and his wife took a wagon train going north. The farm is known as, “Lincoln’s Heaven” a paradise of agriculture, nature, and family. Macon Dead is an African American man who has distanced himself from his family, his community, and his African heritage on account of his lust for materialistic wealth. Macon is hated and feared by blacks, who dislike his arrogance. He is a landlord to many of the residents of the town of Mercy, Michigan and has spent his adult life driven by the desire to accumulate profit and wealth through his businesses and ownership of properties. Macon’s life is filled with struggles ranging from the deaths of his mother and father to his do whatever it takes mentality to keep money in his pockets. Not many people know too much about or can understand him.

NL: Afternoon Mr. Dead, thank you for spending your time today for my session.

Macon Dead: In all honesty, I needed a break from my properties and stress. It’s no sweat.

NL: I’ll move along with it then. First and foremost, how has money and currency impacted your life growing up?

Macon Dead II: I grew up poor after the death of my parents on their farm. Sadly my father was shot dead on this very farm and my mother died giving birth to my younger sister, Pilate. Ever since money has been the deciding factor of life and death.

NL: Do you believe you can exist without the security of having money, that causes you to be greedy and bitter at times.

Macon Dead: “Let me tell you right now the one important thing you’ll ever need to know: Own things. And let the things you own, own other things. Then you’ll own yourself and other people too”. (55). You need money to have a house, own property, take care of your family, buy a gun, and to fulfill whatever self-desires you might have.

NL: Many people say you’re a stubborn old man who knows nothing but greed. Why do you think that is?

Macon Dead: Those people and their opinions don’t mean a damn thing to me. I am a man of God. I care for my money, my business, and my family only. I don’t need acceptance or approval from nobody but the lord.

NL: That was a very deep response, I guess you get that question a lot. Well, what about the way you treat your own people; you seem to have little to no respect for your fellow blacks or women.

Macon Dead: That’s not true. I simply don’t have time for lower-class blacks, who are beneath me socially and economically. As for women; “You got better things to do with your time. It’s time you started learning how to work. After school come to my office; work a couple of hours there and learn what’s real. Pilate (my sister) can’t teach you a thing you can use in this world. Maybe the next, but not this one.” (55)

NL: It’s surprising because women are still oppressed by America’s society and must pay the price for men’s freedom; yet you still choose to overlook women for their strength. I agree that a woman can’t fully teach a boy to become a man without a male figure in a boy’s life. I don’t agree that women can’t teach boys anything they can use in this world.

Macon Dead: Well you won’t be a man in this world. You’ll always be under someone’s control and will have to depend on another person to survive; which is something a real man wouldn’t allow for himself.

NL: People often believe that names are alive and their meanings change depending on who refers to them and how they do so. For example, a name can be immortalized and turned into a landmark; such as Mains Ave., which is known to blacks as Dr. Street back in Michigan. What are your criteria for giving children names? ”

Macon Dead: “A name that is real is given to a child at birth with love and seriousness. A name is not a joke, nor a disguise, nor a brand name.” (18) Names hold power to those who wield them. If your name holds no power, you will be treated with little respect.

NL: I agree that names hold power to a level of respect people will have for you despite your very name. Those who give names to their children should be aware of the power a child’s name will hold in its future. That’s all for this session; thank you for your time, sir.

Macon Dead: No problem at all, enjoy your afternoon.

In conclusion to this interview, we can look back to the mid-nineteenth century and reflect on how far this country has grown as far as societal agreements among the treatment of black men and women. Looking back from the year 2020, we can see the controversial dogmas Macon had. First, names hold great power and should be given wisely otherwise chosen from the bible (Self-Image). Next, money is the only will to live. Without money, you have no purpose in this world (Lust for Money). Finally, women are disrespected, shunned for their mistakes, and are inferior to men (Gender Inequality). I don’t agree with all of Macon’s dogmas but, he is a reflection of some dogmas that existed during that time in history. He allows us to consider how dogma in our society changes with time. Macon’s dogmas can be compared to dogmas of the present to decide on what we need to change or reshape in society. Thanks again for tuning in.

MLA CITATIONS

Morrison, Toni. Song of Solomon. Plume: New York, 1987

Prostate Cancer

Hello and welcome to my blog. This is my very first action project for my STEAM course, Disease. In this unit, Body, we studied different diseases that are very common in our world and country. In class, we thoroughly learned about the 11 body systems of the human body and what's in blood along with other topics. We went on a field experience to the Museum of Science and Industry where we ventured their YOU! exhibit. The exhibit helped us dive deeper into the human body while having an engaging experience. For this action project, we were instructed to interview a family member or friend that had been diagnosed with a disease. We had the choice of who and what disease we wanted to do. I chose to interview my grandfather who once had prostate cancer. I chose this because my grandfather has been negatively impacted by this cancer. While I learned more about the disease, I have become more aware of the seriousness and risks of it.

My grandfather's name is Willy. He is an African-American in his mid-late 60s who lives in Chicago, Illinois. Grandpa Willy began experiencing noticeable symptoms of prostate cancer when he was 62. He started to have pain in his lower back, pelvic area, and knees. He was very active years prior to cancer. He used to shoot hoops with my older brother and me while at the same time living with his asthma. Ever since he was diagnosed with cancer, he has noticeable fewer amounts of energy at times. This disease is included in SDG 3 because the goals focus on influencing healthier lifestyles and advocating for access to health resources such as medical evaluation and immunization in order to catch diseases before they possibly become lethal. Some prevention methods for prostate cancer are maintaining a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables, consuming foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals over vitamin supplements, and sustaining a healthy weight. These prevention methods aren’t applicable to areas that have food deserts and are experiencing malnutrition and food shortages.

I interviewed Willy and asked him 5 questions to get his perspective on the disease and its impact on him. My grandfather was 62 in October of 2015 when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He will be 67 years old this year (2020). This year will make his 5th year mark after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. Some of his initial questions were, “Is the disease serious meaning life-threatening, will I need surgery for prostate cancer? Grandpa Willy decided to seek treatment the same year he was diagnosed with it. A couple days after his 63rd birthday in late-October of 2015, he started treatment in November. He attended External Beam Radiation Treatment (EBRT) for one year. According to the American Cancer Society, “In (EBRT), beams of radiation are focused on the prostate gland from a machine outside the body. This type of radiation can be used to try to cure earlier stage cancers, or to help relieve symptoms such as bone pain if the cancer has spread to a specific area of bone.” They compare each treatment to getting an x-ray. The radiation becomes stronger in each procedure but is typically painless. Treatment only lasts a few minutes, but preparing for it takes a while. Prostate cancer occurs when malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the prostate. The exact cause of prostate cancer is unknown. It is a multifactorial disease with genetic and environmental factors involved in its make up. It is a non-transmittable disease.

Willy from the interview; “I would usually go for radiation therapy treatment out of a 5 day per week limit. I received treatment in an outpatient center. I had to go for 30 days which was 6 weeks of radiation therapy.” At first, he was terrified after hearing the news, but after getting treatment and good news from the doctor, he was relieved of the burden. Willy was aware of the risk of the disease of killing him. It’s been a couple of years since he beat prostate cancer. It has negatively impacted him because he goes to the doctor once every 6 months to participate in a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. (PSA) is a substance that's naturally produced by your prostate gland. It's normal for a small amount of PSA to be in your bloodstream. In the test, they examined his blood sample and he received his results in two weeks' notice. They look for a test reading between 1-4. It can vary within an increase or decrease in change of the reading which is relatively a red flag of cancer. If a higher than normal level is found, it may indicate prostate infection, inflammation, enlargement or cancer. His symptoms from this disease were the urine flow being stopped at times and having trouble releasing urine from the bladder, and the bladder not feeling emptied or feeling full. I feel that prostate cancer can be considered hereditary in our family because Willy’s grandfather died from it and his uncle currently has it. Prostate cancer is one of many diseases that appear in unpredictable patterns within older black men.

The body systems affected by this disease are the lymphatic, urinary, and skeletal body systems. The lymphatic body system is made up of a network of lymphatic vessels, organs, and tissues. Prostate cancer may metastasize (spread) and form tumors in nearby organs such as the bladder, or travel through your bloodstream or lymphatic system to your bones. Signs of metastatic prostate cancer can include swelling in legs or pelvic area, numbness or pain in the hips, legs or feet, and bone pain that doesn’t go away. The symptoms of prostate cancer often differ from patient to patient. The most common first sign of recurrent prostate cancer is a rise in the PSA level in the blood. Medical organizations recommend men to consider prostate cancer screening in their 50s, or sooner if they fit the risk factors for prostate cancer. Willy says men should get tested for it in their early 40s to be safe.

The risk factors of this disease are your age, family’s history of the disease, race, hormones, folic acid in the body and obesity. Older men, African American men, in particular, are more susceptible to prostate cancer. Women very rarely get this disease. It’s a widespread disease across the United States and common outside the country. Scientists don’t know why black men have it more than white men worldwide. According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF), “African-American men are nearly 1.6 times more likely to develop prostate cancer than Caucasian men. They are also 2.4 times more likely than white men to die from the disease.”


Diagrams

N.L. Anatomy of Prostate Cancer. 2020.

N.L. Lymphatic System. 2020

Conclusion
I was interested in learning about this disease and the possibilities it holds for me since I am at risk by being an African-American male. I’m not scared but more aware of the importance of my health as I age. I was able to connect with my grandfather and enjoyed the interview with him. I have stored much of my research on this specific cancer in my memory for future references.


Works Cited

“Symptoms of Advanced Prostate Cancer | Cancer Research UK.” Cancerresearchuk.Org, 2019, www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/prostate-cancer/advanced-cancer/symptoms-advanced-cancer. Accessed 31 Jan. 2020.

“Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test.” National Cancer Institute, Cancer.gov, 4 Oct. 2017,
www.cancer.gov/types/prostate/psa-fact-sheet. Accessed 1 Feb. 2020.

“Prostate Cancer In African Men | Prostate Cancer For Black Men.” Spaceoar.Com, 2018, www.spaceoar.com/patients/prostate-cancer-resources-and-articles/prostate-cancer-in-african-american-men/. Accessed 5 Feb. 2020

‌“Prostate Cancer - Diagnosis and Treatment - Mayo Clinic.” Mayoclinic.Org,  , 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostate-cancer/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353093. Accessed 1 Feb. 2020.

“Prostate Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version.” National Cancer Institute, Cancer.gov, 12 June 2019, www.cancer.gov/types/prostate/patient/prostate-treatment-pdq. Accessed 31 Jan. 2020.

E-Cigarettes VS The Youth

Hello, I'm Nakiya'h and welcome to my blog. This action project is for the first unit, "Politics", for my Humanities course class, "Forbidden Books". In this class, we discussed banned books and censorship. Censorship is when a private body of people, or government, decide what form of media, like books, videos, news articles, and so on, contains content that they deemed as offensive. So far we've got to read Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. In this book, many interesting events within the dystopic society led up to a shocking change of events towards the ending of the book. I enjoyed reading this book for the first time.

Socrates was an ancient Athenian Greek philosopher who was a fundamental part of Western Civilization because he developed what is now the Socratic Method. The Socratic Method is the dialogue of questioning an opposer until the opposer makes a contradiction from their point of view. It's considered a dangerous method from Socrates's methods because he was executed after using the method he created because he proved his overseers wrong. For this action project, we had to record a Socratic Debate about a chosen open-ended topic. In our project, Kate and I address the topic of teens smoking e-cigarettes and the dangers it may have on a teen later in their life. I took on the role of Meletus, who was answering the questions, where Kate asked me questions and brought up points as Socrates. Eventually, I nudged towards changing my perspective on smoking as a teen by agreeing that I would make an effort to stop smoking overall. I hope you enjoy the Socratic Dialogue.


 
E-Cigarettes VS The Youth from NL on Vimeo.

Works Cited 

“Is Vaping Safer than Smoking Cigarettes? | National Center for Health Research.” National Center for Health Research, 22 May 2016, www.center4research.org/vaping-safer-smoking-cigarettes-2/. Accessed 27 Jan. 2020. 

“Lung Damage From Vaping Resembles Chemical Burns, Report Says.” The New York Times, 2 Oct. 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/10/02/health/vaping-illnesses.html. Accessed 28 Jan. 2020.

‌“Quit Vaping Program Sees High Enrollment and Engagement.” Truth Initiative, 2019, truthinitiative.org/research-resources/quitting-smoking-vaping/quit-vaping-program-sees-high-enrollment-and-engagement. Accessed 28 Jan. 2020.