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Essential Question: What are some of the constructs we participate in, without knowing why they exist and why we participate?

It may be difficult to "see the forrest through the trees".  And what does that mean, exactly?  We are socially constructed creatures, whether we realize it or not. There are many machines, constructs or systems at work in our lives.  Each of us participates in a machine of some sort.  Our educational system, for example, is a machine, a system that works to serve whom, exactly?  There are many other systems at work in our country:  government, gangs, gender, Wall Street, the Girl Scouts, your job.
Find a machine, a system, or construct that you are part of and would like to question.  Interrogate this system to its inception.  Ask "why?" until you are satisfied with your critical understanding and careful contemplation of multiple perspectives.  Discover how and why this machine came to be.  Then reflect on why you are questioning it and your place in it.

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This project asks that you interrogate your cultural lens in a ways that open you up to a new perspective(s).  This means you will formulate the following into a 10 minute (max) presentation to share with the class.   This presentation should have a visual component which lasts no more than 3 minutes:  a slide show, video, or podcast.  Hint: narrow your focus and add depth to your discussion to keep it interesting to your audience.

1. Define your machine, system or construct

2. Offer a question of why you want to interrogate this machine. (This is the Essential Question that will drive your research)

3. Encounter multiple and different sources mediums through interview, primary sources, experience, web and text based research.  These sources must be credible based on your topic.  Be specific with what you have already researched.

4. Research at least three  counterpoints to answer your essential question.  You must look at multiple perspectives that counter each other.  Be specific.

Project Objectives:

“The Machines We Make” project will demonstrate original research to answer a student driven essential question.

This project will demonstrate critical thinking, analysis, interpretation, incorporation of multiple perspectives, and use a variety of sources.

This project will deconstruct the very foundation our society and culture is built upon for critical inquiry.

A Working Example:

1. I consider myself liberal and "left-wing" in politics.  Some of my family has served in the military (I am a strong supporter of people who serve in the military, but question the US "military" as an institution) and while I love my country, I stand against its intentional segregation and divisiveness.  When I saw people attacking our Capitol, I saw them as the "other", people I could never understand, a motive I could never understand.  Then I saw a face I recognized.

2. What makes influencers become mobsters?

3. Perspective 1:  those inside the "mob" mentality; perspective 2: those opposing the mob; perspective 3: those who have been persuaded to join, once opposing now a follower

4. Research sources: offer specific articles and source info.

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You may explore or expose machines related to family, gender, sexuality, politics, religion, social media, the pandemic, culture, family, race, language or movements that are happening now.   Remember this is about exploring new territory, you don't need to be an expert on your topic to ask a question.

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Your Name
Presentation Date:
Essential Question:
Define your Machine:
Counterpoints:
Research Sources:

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Thea Covino
Date of Presentation: April 15th, 2021
Essential Question: What is gender: why does passing matter?
I would like to do my topic exploring gender, gender expression, and patriarchal standards within the trans and LGBTQ+ community.
Define your Machine: Gender is a societal construct created to maintain gender roles.
Counterpoints:
-"Passing" or fitting into gender roles helps some people feel safer.
-"Passing" helps gender dysphoria.
-How can my gender presentation be determined by men when I am the one that wants to meet this gender's beauty standards.
Research Sources:

https://www.dailyxtra.com/passing-trans-non-binary-178447
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Olive Cortinas
Date of Presentation: May 13, 2021
Essential Question: Does the American Education System provide students with the skills needed to navigate life outside of academia?
Define your Machine: The American Education System
Perspectives: currently-enrolled college students, drop-outs, common misconception
Counterpoints:
-Our system prepares our students for jobs by being punctual, agreeable, and compliant
Research Methods: online research, friends

Speaking Notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LxsbQ4_YPG59nQw6La9vXmJHjFX9iUONgWUnz1a3Pfo/edit
Presentation:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1JNPMsf2ie7SzvMJX3eszUQbEITLzD8P1oliLEKr_wg4/edit#slide=id.p

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Anna Peiler
Date of presentation: May 4th
Essential Question: Why have we as humans always needed religion? Is "American religion" (Christianity) worth more harm than good?
I'd like to explore the reasons why we follow organized religion and the pros and cons of religion with an emphasis on Christianity. I will look at research studies done on religiosity and quote interviews with people of religious faiths as well as atheists. Being raised Christian I will also use my own voice.
Machine:
Religion (specifically Christianity)
Counterpoints:
Views of atheists, Christians, and science

PowerPoint: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1L--6vr6sbhlMrnckcXD_eIE44m-v2nX0lYz0Nhy6FUM/edit#slide=id.gc6f73a04f_0_0

Presentation: https://cccconfer.zoom.us/rec/play/0pTILFTtosJb30i41MYh-mxugOJwALGl5hmaG8LXwVQmzXCuYQFzFQ4shCOs2g8i94y9-ku47rx_0qCY.vdfyWS7dPn8eERVi (From beginning to 09:09)

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By: Beverly Schimmel
Presentation Date: December 6, 2021

Essential question: How can outdoor physical movement create a healthier lifestyle both physically, mentally, as well as society as a whole?

Define your machine: Physical Movement Outdoors. I want to explore the positive effects of excersizing and spending time outdoors. I have participated in numerous sports both outdoor and indoor, which has lead me to believe that spending time outside creates a healthier lifestyle.

Counterpoints: I will be looking at the perspectives of people who believe that working out indoors is more effective and the benefits of that side of fitness. I will also be looking at people who participate in sports indoor and how that differs from people who do outdoor sports.

Research sources:
https://flipbelt.com/blogs/flipbelt/working-out-at-the-gym-vs-outdoorshttps://flipbelt.com/blogs/flipbelt/working-out-at-the-gym-vs-outdoors

https://fitness-nation.net/2020/07/07/the-benefits-of-exercising-outdoors/

https://www.theunconventionalroute.com/work-out-outside-vs-gym/

Presentation link:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/16kBGUdcm8aQLxji70IR8i5OpCYbK5_5RS3qqdA1pIAM/edit?usp=sharing

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Going for A Assignment- Beverly Schimmel 

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Kimball Small

Presentation Date: December 1

Essential Question: What determines value/worth?

Define your machine:
Value- Worth or quality as measured by a standard of equivalence. The material or monetary worth of something; the amount at which something may be estimated in terms of a medium of exchange, as money or goods, or some other similar standard. A valuation, an appraisement.

Counterparts:
Feelings/emotions (like necessity and desire), physical resources (scarcity), setting (market). These general circumstances are factors that steer value in different situations.

Research Sources:

https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/221253?rskey=heXqjZ&result=1&isAdvanced=false#eid

https://finance.yahoo.com/

https://coinmarketcap.com/

https://alternative.me/crypto/fear-and-greed-index/

Presentation:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1wsB97YQ_ZksOhmwg8ABGfCYnnZ4OC6NH3pHQ6jBrqQs/edit?usp=sharing

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"Hey Siri, what to title my Presentation?"

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"Hey Siri, what to title my Presentation?"

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Caroline Burke

Presentation Date: December 6, 2021

Essential Question: How has the use of modern technology inhibited free thought and critical thinking in this generation?

Define your Machine: Modern technology is any form of device that promotes efficiency, accessibility, and convenience. Our smartphones, computers, access to online resources, social media, 5G, self-driving cars, and so on and so forth are examples of modern technology.

I am going to be questioning how modern technology affects the brain, individuals, and society as a whole. Why do we pursue efficiency and quick responses? Are we training our brain to become solely internet dependent? What does this mean going forward? These are questions I considered while researching and curating this presentation.

Perspectives: I will be presenting on how modern technology inhibits critical thought in the brain, in individuals, and in our society.

Research Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6502424/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6502424/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7366948/#:~:text=Potential%20harmful%20effects%20of%20extensive,brain%20development%2C%20and%20disrupted%20sleep

Presentation:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1M1iicWe98ecJRIWz7R43nDHXX5Wiiw3sba0m8REUy7w/edit?usp=sharing

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Gabriela Rostworowski Stocco

Presentation Date: 12/03/21

Essential question: How do cultural contradictions affect our beliefs and values and why is the culture of moving out of your parents house, specifically, so different in different parts of the world?

Define your machine: The cultural contradictions of moving out of your parent’s house. I want to take a deeper look into the different cultures and norms of moving out of your parent’s house around the world. I will be doing research about many different cultures and places, but my focus will be on my personal cultural contradictions of the Brazilian and American cultures.

Counterpoints: I will be looking at the different countries and the average ages to move out of your parents house in each of them, with a main focus on Brazil and the US. Where did the culture of moving out originate from and why it has changed, what are some reasons that people do and don't move out, and gender differences as well.

Research sources: https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2014/article/independence-for-young-millennials-moving-out-and-boomeranging-back.htm
https://abcnews.go.com/International/adults-parts-globe-live-home-parents/story?id=55457188
https://www.boredpanda.com/young-adults-moving-from-parents-age-data/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic

Presentation link: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1zNJPWxM4NvwYfUFVHhIH8DW0vo-otWt8kLYVdAaxFa4/edit#slide=id.p

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Adrian Mota
Presentation Date: 12/10/2021
Essential Question: What does it mean to be a family?
Define your Machine: The machine I am researching is the social institution of family. A family is a group of people who's members form an emotional connection, typically joined by blood, marriage, cohabitation, or adoption. In this presentation I will be challenging the traditional norm of how a family should look; i.e. a married heterosexual couple with 2-4 children. I will address the many kinds of families which exist and the varying levels of happiness within them.
Counterpoints: My main counterpoint will be the traditional conservative view of what a family should look like.
Research Sources:
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-introductiontosociology/chapter/defining-family/.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/nuclear-family.

https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/family/7-important-functions-of-family-1698-words/6171.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_family.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/local/wp/2014/09/04/for-the-first-time-since-the-1950s-there-is-no-typical-u-s-family/.

Presentation link:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1QX6gB4QKGvoowtXlONHsIjSaaRojluB5WLiu5daB_2c/edit?usp=sharing

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7 Important Functions of Family (1698 Words)

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ADVERTISEMENTS: Some of the important functions Of family Are As Follows: Family is the most universal and fundamental social institution which performs a variety of functions in human society. Different sociologists have viewed or classified the functions of family into different types. ADVERTISEME…

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How Characteristics of Japanese People Build 

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How Characteristics of Japanese People Build 

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Sota Ozawa

Presentation Date: December 1

Essential Question: Why people in United States and Japan are so different

Define your Machine: How Japanese effects the characteristics that Japanese people have now. As I grew up in both countries how did I felt experiencing both education.

Counterpoints: The positive and negative sides of Japanese and American people.

Research Sources: https://education.jnto.go.jp/en/school-in-japan/japanese-education-system/

Presentation link
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Kbi_48P7tlWOa8G7ejrbfllrinkoJjlw0iTLf55D2Oc/edit#slide=id.g103b1c40600_0_65

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Alexandra Guo

Presentation Date: November 29, 2021

Essential Question: How do beauty standards and body positivity affect our society and health?

I would like to explore the origin of beauty standards and how they've changed throughout the years. I would like to research the effects of beauty standards and campaigns (both by beauty industries and the body positivity movement). I will address who benefits from/ is harmed by beauty standards.

Define your Machine: Beauty standards are characteristics created by society to define what the ideal body or look is.

Counterpoints: I will be looking at the perspectives of body positivity activists, scientists/ researchers, and those that support the beauty industry or are opposed to the body positivity movement.

Research Sources: https://www.npr.org/2019/04/25/717058366/rethinking-weight-loss-boost-your-body-acceptance-for-better-health

https://www.teenvogue.com/story/standard-issues-white-supremacy-capitalism-influence-beauty

https://stylecaster.com/body-positivity-movement-harmful/

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-12/who-decides-what-beauty-is/10177538

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/may/17/poor-body-image-mental-health

https://shedefined.com.au/style/beauty/how-unrealistic-beauty-standards-profit-from-womens-insecurities/

Presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1iPFyFZXqvff3XWF0x6wwJHuZmLx59ndPcAhKz8-3K_I/edit?usp=sharing

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Zinia Valdez

December 3rd, 2021

Essential Question: How do I find balance between religious versus educational knowledge?
I want to gather different sources to compare to the Bible that allow me to view different perspectives outside of Christianity while remaining true to my faith and coming to an understanding of balance.

Machine: Religion (Christianity)

Counterparts:
School systems, friendships, and philosophy

Research Sources:

http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~fmoseley/PUBLISHED%20PAPERS/[2013]%20UNIVERSAL%20AND%20THE%20PARTICULARS.pdf

https://www.merriam-webster.com

https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/nkjv/

Powerpoint Presentation:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/13phUXAsMcHwuoZzYCCE40HbKEzOvG9yJg1yQsZyd52Q/edit?usp=sharing

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Presentation Date: December 8, 2021

Essential Question: What are the benefits of playing a video games? How does society see video games?

Define your Machine: Video games are an electronic game that are played in the computer programs and other electronics.
I want to research the benefits of playing games. I also want to research how society feels about playing games, either good or bad. I always get scolded by my parents whenever I play games for long and that it's bad for it, It's really not, but it can be.

Counterpoints: Video Games have negatives side, if you got out of control of playing one. It can be deemed detrimental if you don't do it in MODERATION.

Sources

Presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1mV0qxdczfRwZxs7xkeQ9FQJ1DAdDvlOta9tQHpMyiyM/edit?usp=sharing

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Copy of Custal Project Proposal | by Slidesgo

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Maksym Yelisyeyev

Presentation Date: December 6,2021

Essential question: Why do international students have to pay so much for the tuition?

Presentation link:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1LacMikykn2iZx3dWORePhhI1oSW4Po6eby3wFt5UkQ0/edit#slide=id.gcb9a0b074_1_0

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Andres Saucedo

Presentation Date: December 8, 2021

Essential Question: Why is soccer more important than what you think?

Define your Machine: Soccer is more than just a sport. If you look to other countries, soccer is passion, but also a culture. Soccer could be a big deal for people but it is also a business. A team might become more successful when its income becomes higher.

Counterpoints: Even though how the main even is seen by people, many times there could be corruption, or any other unfortunate cases behind a confederation, federation, club, or FIFA's history.

Research Sources:
https://www.liveabout.com/who-invented-soccer-3556873

https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781442234734/The-World-through-Soccer-The-Cultural-Impact-of-a-Global-Sport

Presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1AUOTkVmqRTp4OMSHnPwb0MZgYU3eKKwd0Vog5nkVxMA/edit?usp=sharing

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Presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1JDBOlvc7kLnPwV9kfiVDg_EKlxXx4SHN78vC86I7FkY/edit#slide=id.p

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BY Elizabeth Ruiz
12/10/21

Essential question: How does TikTok's algorithm work?

Define Your machine: I will touch on the history of this social media platform and why it's algorithm works so well.

counterpoints: the dangers of this algorithm.

Research sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/05/business/media/tiktok-algorithm.html
https://towardsdatascience.com/how-does-tiktoks-algorithm-know-me-so-well-459e8dc7e90b
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-53640724

Presentation link: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1JB8asL6rZj5xpHyV36OiErJA5LVr1IGiF5cJYUEkzKo/edit?usp=sharing