Lesley, Mazariegos

Problem Solving Graphic Organizer

The1st Inter-disciplinary project that I can recall was done the first semester of 10th
grade and was based on meningitis. This assignment was completed during some of our
classes like Math, English and during our IDP advisories. In this assignment, we were asked to
create a power point explaining signs, symptoms, treatment, and prevention on meningitis. We
were also asked to create a children’s book. This book had to explain the same information as
our power point presentation, but with details easy and understandable enough for a toddler to
understand what meningitis is. This project fits the problem solving category because it’s an
informational presentation addressing the disease of meningitis and providing a guideline to
prevent, treat, and identify meningitis. This IDP states a problem, like the fact that meningitis is
contagious and gives a solution to the problem for example, washing your hands and practicing
good hygiene.
The title of my second Inter-disciplinary project was Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
(OCD). This assignment was completed during our IDP advisory class. In this assignment, we
were assigned a mental health issue, in which this case I got OCD. We were asked to create a
power point addressing this mental health issue and its factors. We were also asked to create a
weebly website on our topic addressing the description, causes and effects, identifying
stressors, coping mechanisms, and an action plan. In our weebly we talked about how some
stereotypes of OCD are being a neat freak, obsessed with cleaning, etc. We discussed that
some of the causes of OCD was problems with communication between parts of the brain and
imbalance of neurotransmitters. This project falls in the problem solving category because
besides discussing the issue , we also created an action plan where we discussed some ways
to help people get informed about the negative stigma about OCD and diagnosis. For example,
the public needs to stop making negative stigma about OCD. The International OCD Foundation
is creating a program servicing individuals dealing with OCD.
The student learning outcome that was achieved in both projects was effective
communicator and willing collaborator . In the first IDP, I was an effective communicator
because my group was able to communicate complex information about meningitis into a
children’s’ book, which takes being able to switch from complex language to more easy and
understandable terms. We had to analyze our information and decide how to address this
information into a children’s’ book for a younger audience to understand what meningitis is.
Being an effective communicator also meant being able to clearly present this information to our
panelists. We also had to work together to transfer our information on to our website to make it
as reliable as possible, with credible information from reliable resources.
In comparing these two projects, the three areas in which I felt a growth was being able
to now know what components were contained in a power point and in an informational
presentation. I learned that we need to address every bit of information as if our audience
knows nothing about our topic. Secondly, I learned more in communicating my information to
my audience. I feel that with time and with multiple IDPs, I learned to feel more comfortable
presenting and projecting my voice in a classroom. I understand that I need to speak loudly and
clearly for my audience to understand what I am saying. And three, I learned the meaning of
responsibility and teamwork because at the end of the day you rely on your group to create one
outcome. I feel an area where I still need to work on is being able to write down my thoughts. I
feel I struggle in writing down what I’m thinking and being able to elaborate on my thoughts.
During working on this project I had to make a bubble map with my thoughts and ideas to be
able to explain and demonstrate to my group what I was thinking. The skills I have learned in
the inter-disciplinary projects will surely help me in my future because high school projects will
not be the end of group jobs for me. In my future, I am sure there will be
more opportunities where I will have to work with other group members and skills like
communication, responsibility, critical thinking, and willing collaborating will come in handy.