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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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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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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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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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Uriel Munoz Ramos

Date of Presentation: December 1, 2021
Essential Question: Is silence truly golden? Why do individuals use silence to express their emotions?
Define your Machine: Silence in human culture
Counterpoints:
-Group orientated cultures' perspective on silence
-The Science world's perspective on silence
-The Western world's negative perspective on silence
Presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1co11Cp54-dBZamckK8VfUNYNX20no6Z5_gBYmcoT05k/edit?usp=sharing
Script: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XV-5NRTbDuLRyNHT6obnScU_tcfc2Kso7GJRdDbplL8/edit?usp=sharing
Resource Sources:
• The meaning of silence in different cultures - Country Navigator
•Science Says Silence Is Much More Important To Our
Brains Than We Think (lifehack.org)
•The Cultural Implications of Silence Around The World (rw-3.com)
•Sounds of Silence | American Journal of Neuroradiology (ajnr.org)

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Essential Question: Why are some career paths respected more than others? I want to look at why people choose certain jobs over others. I'm going to look at salaries of  jobs, number of jobs being chosen, education level, and influence.

Define your machine: Career Choice. We are often told to study hard so we can become a lawyer, doctor, etc. but what if you have different passion. Does it really matter what you do for a living as long as you don't bother anyone and enjoy it?

Counterpoints: Salaries, number of jobs chosen, Education level, influence

Presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1AFu-NoPskJSETZim5-Luh67Lr3M6JdCDzflHrp4JYUU/edit?usp=sharing

Sources: Torpey, Elka. “Education Level and Projected Openings, 2019–29 : Career Outlook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.” Www.bls.gov, Oct. 2020, www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2020/article/education-level-and-openings.htm.

U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS. “Employment by Major Industry Sector : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.” Bls.gov, 8 Jan. 2019, www.bls.gov/emp/tables/employment-by-major-industry-sector.htm.

“How Does Education Relate to Job Fit and Job Satisfaction?” CMA, 29 Apr. 2019, cmaconsult.com/how-does-education-relate-to-job-fit-and-job-satisfaction/.

“#7 Common Factors That Influence Students Career Choice- Manav Rachna.” Manav Rachna Vidyanatariksha, 25 July 2014, manavrachna.edu.in/blog/factors-that-influences-your-career-choice-7-ps-of-career-selection/#:~:text=%207%20Most%20Common%20Factors%20that%20Influence%20the. Accessed 12 Dec. 2021.

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Giselle Martinez
Presentation date : 12/8

Essential Question: Why do we put little parts of our lives or thoughts into social media where it could potentially be seen by many strangers and how does discussing about bigger creators impact their lives?

Define Your Machine : Social Media

Counterpoints:
- Psychology behind posting on social media
- Negatives of Social Media
- Your impact on others by posting or consuming

PowerPoint:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/10z4gOfXbt2KW6aVB9i0hxQ_FKvaTiF34mO1eewmCfh8/edit?usp=sharing

Script:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/17-cjZsmkF5dIaIkFgg8lMCp9UEARckKNrT7MTRJ2__4/edit?usp=sharing

Sources:
https://communications.tufts.edu/marketing-and-branding/social-media-overview/

https://online.king.edu/news/psychology-of-social-media/

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/social-media-and-mental-health.htm

https://www.intheknow.com/post/5-artists-who-got-their-start-on-youtube/

https://youtu.be/w649eX7QzY0

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Stephanie Martinez

Date of Presentation:

12/6/21

Essential Question:

Are individualistic cultures better than collectivistic cultures? What are the advantages and disadvantages of individualistic cultures?

Define your Machine:

Individualistic cultures: Individualistic cultures focus on the needs and desires of individuals over those of the group and believe independence is important.

Collectivistic cultures: Collectivistic cultures focus on cohesiveness among individuals and prioritization of the group over the self. They believe the relationships between people is important.

Counterpoints:

-Collectivistic cultures respond better to pandemics

-Individualistic culture cons

-Personal collectivistic culture experience
Speaking Notes:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GE57E6nBDrjIN2yknVFFReXsqh1djqtvQlD4I3SKtcs/edit?usp=sharing

Presentation:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1pbGdwUq-K9wraGYtvuKdxNbsNZhOdgUa1pBWYbwQoI8/edit?usp=sharing

Research Sources:

https://www.simplypsychology.org/what-are-individualistic-cultures.html

https://theconversation.com/are-individualistic-societies-worse-at-responding-to-pandemics-147386

https://www.pnas.org/content/118/23/e2021793118

https://johnshalom.com/individualism-vs-collectivism/

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Paulina Salazar
Presentation date : 12/13

Essential Question: What makes a color feminine or masculine, why is pink a feminine color?

Define Your Machine : Gender

Counterpoints:
- Media
- Color coding
- Marketing

Google Slides:

Sources:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/65058/when-did-pink-become-girl-color
https://news.usc.edu/134061/pink-for-boys-and-blue-for-girls-the-colorful-history-of-things-designed-for-kids/
https://www.esquireme.com/news/nazi-colour-coding
https://www.theodysseyonline.com/social-constructs

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Clarissa Garza
Presentation date : 12/13

Essential Question:
How does parenting style affect the child?

What effects does it have in the their development?

Define Your Machine : Parenting Styles

Counterpoints:
Authoritarian
Authoritative
Permissive
Uninvolved

PowerPoint:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1s3_lpO1GzXr2cx5muNLDn0QWI0XfvsGTuANxnsGjREo/edit#slide=id.gc6740bc5bc_0_156

Script:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1s3_lpO1GzXr2cx5muNLDn0QWI0XfvsGTuANxnsGjREo/edit#slide=id.gc6740bc5bc_0_156

Sources:

https://gcpawards.com/blog/pros-and-cons-of-uninvolved-parenting/

https://www.parents.com/parenting/better-parenting/style/authoritative-parenting-the-pros-and-cons-according-to-a-child-psychologist/

https://www.parentingforbrain.com/4-baumrind-parenting-styles/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyO8pvpnTdE&t=385s