SUMMER 2019
The picture below was taken by me at a hot spring in Yellowstone National Park. At this location, I was assigned to a group of 5 other people to act like we were surveying the area to be saved as national park territory. Everyone was assigned to be either a theoretical statistician, topographer, zoologist, botanist, artist, or photographer. I was placed as a photographer and was tasked with taking a Polaroid picture of the area in question.
Reflection: This was a very interesting role playing experience. It taught myself and the group about how much work went into preserving different parts of Yellowstone before it was ever a protected National Park. I was tasked with describing why we chose this area and was able to unleash my descriptive writing side. In the final paper I described each living thing that is visible in the image and what was crucial to save as a part of an ecosystem. This project really enhanced my love for nature and how we should preserve it before it all goes away.
This was one of the many papers we had to write after getting home from Yellowstone. However, this was my absolute favorite paper I have ever written because it encases all of the research I did in the field.
Reflection: Everyone in the class was split into groups of three or four and had to research a specific animal while in Yellowstone. I researched the lake trout and the controversies they hold out west. Without getting into too much detail (as I encourage you to read the paper for that), I can say that I learned how to talk to different stakeholders, environmentalists, and game keepers about the political drama surrounding wildlife. I learned how to compile field research in both picture and word format and then turn it into a makeshift book. The point of this paper was to write it similar to how the author of American Wild wrote his book. It pushed my writing limits to a whole new level and taught me how to take research and write it as a story of my journey. Truly the most insightful project and class I have ever participated in.