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Developed Skills:

During this semester, I honed essential skills in both convergent and divergent thinking, which greatly enhanced my problem-solving abilities. Convergent thinking allowed me to analyse situations and identify the most effective solutions by narrowing down various options to a single optimal choice. Conversely, divergent thinking encouraged me to think creatively and explore multiple possibilities, generating a wide range of ideas and innovative approaches to complex challenges. By engaging in various exercises and projects, I not only learned to balance these two types of thinking but also became more adept at tackling problems from different angles, ultimately improving my decision-making process and enhancing my overall learning experience.

5Cs:

The action project has significantly contributed to the enhancement of my current 5Cs—collaboration, communication, critical thinking, creativity, and citizenship. Over the years, I have diligently worked to improve these essential skills, particularly focusing on citizenship, which I have been striving to develop for a long time.

Throughout the duration of the action project, I found myself immersed in various group tasks that required collaboration with a diverse range of individuals. This experience pushed me to adapt my communication style to effectively convey ideas and foster a shared understanding among team members with different perspectives and backgrounds. Engaging in fruitful discussions and brainstorming sessions allowed me to appreciate the value of diverse viewpoints while refining my ability to articulate my thoughts clearly and concisely.

Moreover, the challenges we encountered during the project presented numerous opportunities to enhance my critical thinking skills. Faced with unexpected setbacks, I learned to analyse problems from multiple angles, assess potential solutions, and make informed decisions under pressure. These experiences have not only bolstered my resilience but have also ingrained a deeper understanding of the importance of strategic thinking and adaptability.

Overall, the action project has been instrumental in my personal and professional growth, solidifying my commitment to continually improving my skills while also fostering a sense of citizenship through active participation and collaboration within my community.

Future:

The skills cultivated during this semester will be pivotal in shaping my future endeavours. The balance between convergent and divergent thinking will enable me to approach challenges with a comprehensive mindset, allowing me to identify effective solutions while also fostering creativity in problem-solving. This dual approach will be invaluable in both academic and professional settings, where innovative thinking and sound decision-making are crucial.

Furthermore, the enhancement of my 5C collaboration, communication, critical thinking, creativity, and citizenship—will significantly impact my future interactions and contributions. The ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams will prepare me for dynamic work environments, where teamwork is essential for success. My refined communication skills will ensure that I can convey ideas clearly, facilitating better understanding and cooperation among colleagues.

The critical thinking skills I developed will empower me to navigate complex situations with confidence, enabling me to analyze problems, assess solutions, and make informed decisions under pressure. This adaptability will be vital in rapidly changing fields, where strategic thinking is necessary for growth and innovation.

Finally, my commitment to citizenship will drive me to engage actively with my community, fostering collaboration and positive change. By applying the skills I have gained, I am better equipped to contribute meaningfully to society, inspiring others and promoting a sense of collective responsibility.

Overall, the skills I have developed will serve as a strong foundation for my future, equipping me to tackle challenges, seize opportunities, and make a lasting impact in both my personal and professional life.

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This week has been an exciting whirlwind as we prepared for our long-awaited expo! After weeks of hard work, we finally finalized and printed the remaining posters and scripts, fine-tuning the slide presentations to align with our vision. After three weeks of deliberation, we concluded our budget details, which received the approval of our teacher—an important milestone for our team.

Rehearsing the script proved invaluable. Following valuable feedback from our teacher, who encouraged us to include specific details about the frequency of our care package distributions, we promptly revised our slides and scripts to incorporate this information. It was a significant step towards making our presentation clearer and more impactful.

After school, I headed to Kmart to purchase additional materials for the expo. I focused on acquiring interactive elements and decorations, as I was designated the responsibility of enhancing our stand's visual appeal. On my way, I realized that we could utilize more posters, particularly those presenting statistics that would strengthen our argument, so I dedicated my evening to designing two additional posters that I planned to print the next day.

Our team's communication and collaboration throughout the week have been commendable. Each member fulfilled their assigned roles, making the preparations feel organized and much calmer. However, I found myself feeling a bit anxious as I heard about the creative concepts discussed by other teams. The quality of their ideas was impressive, but it also made me reflect on our work. Despite this, I felt a sense of pride in what our team had achieved, regardless of whether we were selected as finalists.

On the day of the expo, we encountered a minor setback—while we couldn’t secure a Vivi board, we managed to snag a full table and a sizable pin board, as I arrived early to claim them. Our luck continued as we quickly realized the pin board was quite large, prompting one of my teammates to spring into action and create additional A4 and A3 posters. Her quick thinking ensured that the pin board didn’t appear too empty and helped us effectively showcase our facts and prototypes.

As we arranged our prototypes on the sides of the table and at the pin board, it presented a challenge in finding the perfect spot for our interactive game. We initially placed it too close to another team's booth, which ended up confusing some of the attendees. Nevertheless, the decorative items I purchased—such as colorful lights and engaging games—infused our stand with energy and vibrancy. I felt a surge of pride seeing our stand come together so nicely, especially since I’ve often struggled with my creative and critical thinking skills.

All our efforts seemed to pay off when attendees complimented the professional appearance of our stand, relieving some of the pressure I had felt from my earlier planning. One particularly memorable interaction occurred when we spoke with a single parent who was raising two children alone. He expressed genuine enthusiasm for our concept, mentioning how he would have greatly appreciated a care package like CareConnect during his own parenting journey. This connection resonated deeply with our team, affirming the potential impact of our project.

Despite our hard work, we didn’t make it into the top three of our category, which was disappointing. Still, I believe we did our absolute best, and we're hopeful for at least an A or an A-. Reflecting on our presentation, I see areas for improvement—particularly in our speaking. We veered off-script and improvised throughout our session, which was beneficial for maintaining eye contact with the audience but, without enough practice, it led to inconsistencies in our pitches.

Additionally, I realized we could have created a game suitable for all ages. The interactive element we had was primarily designed for children, while the expo had a significant number of parents attending. This oversight reminded us that our approach should be inclusive, appealing to everyone present. Overall, this experience has been immensely valuable, and I look forward to applying these lessons in future projects!

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planning for the expo - (created by Mayumi)

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Thanks to our decision to split up the workload strategically, we were able to efficiently complete nearly all our tasks by the beginning of this week. This included creating the slides for our presentation, designing the posters, organising the stand planning board, and drafting the script for our presentation. Additionally, we developed interactive games to engage visitors at our stand.

As a team, we agreed that this week would focus on reviewing the work we accomplished, refining our materials, and ensuring everything aligns with our project goals. We set aside time to communicate about specific areas that might need improvement, allowing each member to share insights and suggestions for enhancing our overall presentation.

Moreover, we had the opportunity to seek feedback from Mr. McLean, who provided valuable insights on our work. We showcased everything we had completed thus far, which helped us gauge the effectiveness of our approach and identify any elements that needed adjustment. This collaborative effort not only helped us improve our project but also strengthened our teamwork and communication skills.

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As we approach the deadline for the expo, we must shift into a high-gear, productive mode. However, as there was a long weekend upcoming it made it difficult for the team to maintain focus and momentum. To tackle this, I proposed that we divide the assignment into specific roles for each team member, echoing the successful strategy we used in our previous project.

Effective communication is key in this process. I organised a brief meeting where we could discuss our strengths and preferences, ensuring that everyone felt comfortable with their assigned tasks. This collaborative approach not only fostered an inclusive atmosphere but also allowed us to refine our strategy, incorporating each member’s input into the planning phase.

In my role, I set out to create a few eye-catching posters that would grab the attention of expo attendees. I made sure to keep the design aligned with our overall theme and messaging by seeking feedback from Toshan, who was receptive and instrumental in refining the visuals. I also offered my assistance to Toshani in developing the script, where we engaged in critical thinking exercises to anticipate questions that might arise from the audience, thereby strengthening our written content.

Meanwhile, Mayumi and Natalie took charge of designing our presentation slides, ensuring they conveyed our key points while remaining visually appealing. They also coordinated with vendors to gather materials for our stand, demonstrating great initiative. Throughout this process, we maintained an open line of communication, sharing updates and adjustments, which helped us stay aligned and in sync.

By working collaboratively, we are not only completing our tasks efficiently but also honing our communication and critical thinking skills.

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This past week proved to be semi-productive for our group, as we balanced our various academic responsibilities while still making progress on our collaborative project. Each member prioritised completing tasks related to other subjects, which meant our time together was somewhat limited. However, we successfully carved out dedicated hours to work on our project's promotional materials, specifically creating a series of posters that reflect our innovative ideas.

I personally focused on developing two and a half posters so far, utilising creative thinking skills to ensure they were visually engaging and informative. This involved brainstorming unique concepts that not only capture our project's essence but also resonate with our target audience. I experimented with different design elements and layouts, striving to convey our message effectively while also showcasing our creativity.

Additionally, we initiated our final pitch preparation for the INNOV8 expo, where we plan to showcase our project and inspire others. We engaged in brainstorming sessions to refine our pitch, highlighting the importance of thinking outside the box and offering original insights into our project. We are still on track with our timeline, and with ample time remaining for preparation for the expo, I believe we will deliver a compelling presentation. Overall, our efforts this week demonstrate our commitment to combining strategic planning with creative thinking as we move forward.

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In our previous lesson, following our concise 2-minute pitch presentation, we collectively agreed to take a more relaxed approach to our productivity. This decision came after a period of intense work both in our classroom sessions and outside of them. However, we made it clear that this would not hinder our commitment to completing tasks during this lesson or throughout the week.

After careful consideration, we determined that focusing on Care Connect would be the most advantageous choice for our Marketing pitch scheduled for week 8. We recognized the significant potential of this initiative and wanted to ensure we presented its merits compellingly.

Taking into account the insightful feedback provided by Mr. McLean, we prioritized expanding the details regarding the total estimated costs associated with our project. We developed a comprehensive breakdown of the expenses tied to each package we planned to offer. This list categorized the items meticulously, marking them as either donatable or something we would need to purchase outright.

For our donatable items, we included non-perishable food staples such as canned goods, dried rice, and pasta, alongside essential clothing items like socks and jackets. On the other hand, the non-donatable items primarily consisted of sanitary products, including bar soap, menstrual pads, and other hygiene essentials. Additionally, we created two separate boxes that would be tailored to specific genders' needs, as clothes and sanitary items would be different among these people. By distinguishing between these two categories, we aimed to clarify our resource needs and create a more effective and realistic plan for our upcoming presentation. Overall, I believe that it was the feedback and effective communication, collaboration, and critical thinking that aided use in staying productive and generating ideas.

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This week has been pivotal due to the impending presentation. We faced an unexpected hurdle when we had to reschedule our presentation to Wednesday, as Mayumi was absent during Monday's lesson. This alteration turned out to be beneficial, giving us some additional time to refine our content and practice articulating our script clearly.

On Wednesday, as we stepped in front of our classmates and Mr. McLean, I was pleasantly surprised by how smoothly our presentation unfolded. Leading up to the event, we had encountered significant challenges in expressing our thoughts coherently, but in the moment, everything seemed to fall into place. While we experienced a few minor technical glitches at the start—like a slight delay in loading our slides—we managed to carry on without letting those issues derail our focus.

As we progressed through our presentation, I sensed that Mr. McLean was engaged and pleased with our effort. His questions afterwards were insightful and seemed to stem from our presentation rather than areas where we were lacking; they were reflections on aspects we had mentioned but hadn't fully covered on our slides. It felt gratifying to know that our hard work and preparation were recognized, and it reinforced the collaborative spirit of our team. I belie

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We received some fortunate news: the presentation for our pitch has been rescheduled to Monday of week 3. This unexpected extension provides us with valuable additional time to refine and enrich both our script and the overall presentation, as we previously felt it was lacking in depth and cohesion. During our last group discussion, several members expressed concerns that the script was overly verbose, making it read like a dense block of text rather than an engaging narrative.

In this context, Mayumi had an excellent idea that could significantly enhance our project—she proposed developing a website or a prototype of our app, Parental Pal. This innovative approach is sure to bring a dynamic visual element to our presentation, capturing the audience's attention more effectively. While Mayumi focused her efforts on creating this website prototype, Toshani, Natalie, and I concentrated on enhancing the overall engagement of the presentation. While reviewing the script, Natalie and I noticed that it is formatted in a way that makes it appear as though Toshani and Mayumi are the owners of Parental Pal, while Natalie and I are the owners of Care Connect. So we thought it would be a good idea to make it look as if we were competing to see whose idea is better. This will not only enhance the engagement of the presentation but also make our points stand out and convey them more effectively. After finishing the script, we spent the rest of the week constantly refining and enhancing the visual aspect of the presentations as well as seeking feedback from our teacher.

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Although this week marked the beginning of the new academic term, it proved to be quite demanding in terms of workload, primarily due to the impending INNOV8 Pitch presentations scheduled for the following week. Fortunately, our group had already laid the groundwork by completing the INNOV8 Canvas Scaffold during week 11, which provided us with a solid foundation to build upon.

Given the significant amount of work that remained, we decided that the most efficient approach was to assign specific slides to each team member. Natalie and I collaborated closely to create the slides for our project, Care Connect, ensuring that we highlighted its unique features and benefits effectively. Meanwhile, Mayumi and Toshani concentrated their efforts on developing the slides for Parental Pal, putting their creativity to good use to illustrate its potential impact.

Throughout this process, open communication and collaboration were key. Each team member made a concerted effort to share feedback and updates regularly, preventing any miscommunications that could lead to setbacks. This collaborative spirit not only helped streamline our workload but also fostered the enhancement of our ideas, making our presentations stronger and more cohesive.