Maths and Me: Student Homework

Marushka Rout, 20/8/18

My name is Marushka and for the last two years I was doing the IGCSE Maths programme. Throughout the course, there were some difficulties for me- specifically with tests- but by the end of the course and right before the exam I felt as though I was proficient enough in each of the topic areas. Ever since I was young, I used to really like maths, although due to various experiences in the past I ended up developing a bit of a disdain towards the subject. Now, however, I’ve bounced back and I find myself enjoying maths a lot more once again. I’m a little nervous about the rigour of the IB Maths SL courses but if I work hard I know I’ll be able to accustom myself to the new topics we’ll cover.

In the past, I’ve realised that I tend to like teaching myself things, and not just in maths. I don’t mind asking for assistance if I need it but I only really do so if I can’t figure something out no matter what I try to do. Any time I was stuck in maths, I would do the rest of the questions and once it came to correcting, I’d look at the mark scheme as it shows ways of how to work out a question. In other cases, I either play around with it to see if I can figure it out spontaneously or I look it up in a textbook or online (often times it’s the latter). I feel like I only really ever ask for help from someone else such as a teacher as a last resort.

I think I would say one of my biggest strengths in mathematics is my diligence since it’s the reason I’ve been able to improve so much in my maths skills over the years, although I personally think that I could work a little more with confidence since I find myself at times slipping a little due to it. Either way, I think it’s something I’ll be able to overcome with time.

1.     What is the environment?

I think ‘the environment’ describes our surroundings as well as the earth in general. This includes natural habitats such as oceans and ocean life, forests and hills, and even cities and towns.

2.     Why are some environmental issues more attractive than others?

It could be due to the fact that some issues are damaging the environment at a much faster rate than the other issues which is why we choose to pay more attention to them.

3.     How do environmental attitudes vary and change? (Are we (humans) deliberatively destructive?)

I wouldn’t say that humans are intentionally destructive, however humans appear to have a tendency to want to improve their own lives and comfort and tend to forget or disregard the fact that in the process, the environment is getting damaged. It is only when issues start getting out of hand where we finally start to pay attention.

4.     Where do our environmental values come from (Do humans have the right to use the environment and other species for their own needs, as some faiths suggest?)

I think they can be taken from a variety of different sources, mostly depending on upbringing. Depending on what a person is taught when they are young, those beliefs are usually stuck with them. Such beliefs and values could be taken from role models or parent figures, or even the media or religion. I do think that humans have the right to use the environment and other species for their own needs, just like how other species need to use the environment and other species for survival. Although, we don’t seem to realize that we are causing damage until it begins to severely impact the earth’s lifespan and even then some people still choose to be ignorant to the issue.

5.     Are you an environmental activist? (What changes, modifications and adjustments are necessary for a turn-around to refocus our efforts on sustainable lifestyles?)

I don’t feel as though I am an environmental activist, as I honestly do tend to forget about the issues much like everyone else. Many environmental activists do find ways to communicate with the general public and list ways in which we can help slow down or even possibly end some of the issues that are causing harm to the environment such as ‘showers instead of baths’ and ‘using minimal electricity by turning off lights when you are not in the room’. Personally, however, I think that we are going to have to take bigger steps due to the graveness of the current situation.