Critical Thinking

           The artifact I have chosen to represent my critical thinking skills is a lab assignment entitled “Protista Identification,” which I completed during my General Biology II (BIO-112) course in the spring semester of 2022. This assignment required me to identify different types of Protist and their differences. I chose this assignment because it exemplifies my ability to analyze a group of organisms and communicate my findings effectively and well-informedly. 
           The instructions for this lab were to inspect twelve types of Protista and identify their different organelles, structures, and functions. To complete this assignment, I had to use a microscope to identify the individual specimens and then produce a drawing of what I saw. Alongside this, some examples required me to identify and label specific structures on my sketches. Lastly, I had to answer questions that addressed my general understanding of eukaryotic Protist. The purpose of this lab was to enable me to identify the types of Protista and differentiate them from one another. 
           My first goal for completing this artifact was to learn how to use a microscope properly. This artifact marked the second time I used a microscope at SPCC. Although I occasionally used a microscope in the past, my experiences with the instrument were short and superficial. Consequently, I needed to learn how to handle and use a microscope properly. This artifact was very helpful in helping me achieve this goal because it required me to go through the process of locating microorganisms with a microscope multiple times. During this process, I had to mount the slide, course focus the image, move the slide, and fine focus the image for each protist type. These repeated actions helped me become more comfortable with handling the microscope. In the end, I significantly decreased the amount of time it took me to identify microorganisms using a microscope. 
            My second goal was to learn how to communicate scientific ideas effectively. I set this goal for myself because I often remember information instead of learning it, which makes it hard for me to explain why my answers are correct. I will often remember and answer as opposed to understanding a concept. Consequently, it is hard for me to answer questions that ask me to explain my reasoning. However, having this goal encouraged me to start understanding the concepts I was learning and connecting information instead of just remembering them. For example, in the artifact, one of the questions asks why diatoms are hard or soft, and I used my knowledge of cell walls to answer the question. In the end, I used my learning materials and technology to help me develop an in-depth understanding of my topic. 
           Nevertheless, this artifact was essential to my development at SPCC because it helped me to improve my microscope skills and explain scientific ideas. This knowledge was vital because I was required to use a microscope often throughout my program, so being able to locate items with a microscope swiftly was very beneficial. Additionally, I transferred the critical thinking skills I gained in this class across multiple courses with more complex concepts. Most importantly, as I pursue my scientific and medical interests, these are crucial skills that will help me succeed in my education and career.