Before the field observations began and before research began for the semester, my main motivation for getting involved in the CSI research program was an interest in research that included a social justice aspect. While there are many research labs on campus within my major in the biology department, I was drawn to this research opportunity because it would allow me to get off campus in a setting that focused on promoting equity among students in Chicago Public Schools. Part of this motivation is from the settings that I have worked and volunteered in throughout the first few years of college. My first year of college, I worked with ABC tutors on campus, and helped teach Algebra to CPS middle schoolers. This experience showed me how providing additional learning opportunities to students that may not have otherwise have been able to access these opportunities is beneficial, as it reinforces concepts learned in the classroom and increases confidence of the students in their own abilities. After my sophomore year of college, I began working in a busy emergency room on the southwest side of Chicago. The experiences I have had at my job have shown me the disparities among different socioeconomic statuses in terms of ability to access healthcare. This has motivated me to take action in my own community on the north side and help address disparities in other areas, such as education. It is my hope that by participating in the SUCCEED lab I can play even the smallest role in helping achieve equitable education for all students in Chicago.
As mentioned previously, I work in an emergency room. I was drawn to this setting due to my interest in healthcare and my hope of going to medical school. One social justice issue that I am passionate about that also relates to the program I am observing is public health education. Many health problems are caused by structural inequalities, in which people are not able to access education about health problems and remedies, and preventable health problems occur as a result. This is why I am passionate about observing the Girls on the Run program, because it promotes learning about how fitness and nutrition can promote health from an early age. I hope that throughout the year I can learn more about healthcare and nutrition education in after school programs and how this affects other aspects of the students lives, such as their confidence in school and in social emotional learning.
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March 2020
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