Blog Post: Week 1 of My Laidlaw Research Journey

As I wrap up my first week of the Laidlaw Scholarship research project, I’m filled with a mix of excitement, gratitude, and a little bit of relief. It’s been an incredibly eventful and educational week, packed with new experiences, challenges, and opportunities that have set the tone for the weeks to come.

Diving into the Research: Accessibility in Lab Scripts for ESL Students

My project focuses on a topic close to my heart: increasing the accessibility of lab scripts for students who don’t have English as their first language (ESL). This week was all about laying the groundwork for the research. I spent a significant amount of time reviewing current lab scripts, identifying the language barriers that ESL students might face, and brainstorming ways to simplify and clarify the instructions without compromising the scientific rigor.

One of the key takeaways from this week was the importance of understanding the diverse backgrounds and language proficiencies of the students who will be using these lab scripts. I realized that creating accessible materials isn’t just about translating words but also about ensuring that the concepts are conveyed in a way that is easily understood by everyone, regardless of their language proficiency. This realization has fueled my passion for the project even more, and I’m eager to see how my work will impact students in the future.

Learning Through Challenges: My First Group Meeting

A significant highlight of the week was participating in a group meeting where we worked on organic chemistry problems. As someone who is still early in their academic journey, being surrounded by older students and PhD candidates was both intimidating and inspiring. The moment of truth came when I was asked to go up to the front and solve one of the problems in front of the group.

To say I was nervous would be an understatement. My heart was racing, and my mind was running through every possible mistake I could make. But as I stood there, marker in hand, I realized this was a chance to push myself beyond my comfort zone. I tackled the problem as best as I could, and while it wasn’t perfect, the process taught me so much. The older students and PhD candidates were incredibly supportive, offering constructive feedback and guiding me through the areas where I struggled. This experience not only boosted my confidence but also deepened my understanding of organic chemistry. It reminded me that growth often happens in the moments when we feel the most challenged.

Presenting to the Teaching Team: Insights and Feedback

Another major milestone this week was presenting my project to the teaching team in the Department of Chemistry. This was a fantastic opportunity to share my ideas and get feedback from experienced educators who understand the intricacies of teaching complex subjects to diverse student groups.

I was a bit anxious going into the presentation, knowing that my audience would be filled with experts. However, their response was overwhelmingly positive. They offered a wealth of suggestions that I hadn’t considered, from incorporating visual aids to rethinking the structure of the lab scripts to make them more intuitive for ESL students. Their feedback has given me a lot to think about and has already started shaping the direction of my research. I’m incredibly grateful for their input and excited to integrate their ideas into my work.

Looking Ahead

As I look back on this first week, I’m struck by how much I’ve learned in such a short amount of time. From tackling organic chemistry problems in front of a group to presenting my research ideas to a team of experts, this week has been a whirlwind of growth and learning. I’m more motivated than ever to continue this journey and make meaningful progress on my project.

I’m looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that the next five weeks will bring. Stay tuned for more updates as I continue to explore ways to make lab scripts more accessible for ESL students and learn from the incredible people around me!

Thank you for following along on my Laidlaw journey.