For the quantitative or scientific perspectives course, I took CHEM 301: Applying Chemistry to Society with Dr. St. Clair in Spring 2021. This course evaluated the chemical aspect of the environment and society. It challenged students to think about the chemical components of what we as humans use in our society and emit into our environment. It focused on problems such as pollution, global warming, and pesticide use. While being aware of these issues before taking the class, I did not know as much as I thought about the way pollution, global warming, and pesticide use work chemically and what makes them so harmful.

In retrospect, I learned a great deal from the course that I will be able to teach to others and use throughout the rest of my life. It has made me more conscious of my carbon footprint, and what types of energy sources should be used more. This course did a great job of incorporating the aspects of society and academics into one. This class truly strengthened my ability to think critically about what I deposit onto the Earth.

Below is a project that was assigned in which I had to examine the effects of DDT, a banned pesticide. It was written by me, Kelsey Bomar, and was completed on March, 12, 2021.