Bio Cube 🐤

Summary

This blog is going to be different from normal blogs, heh. This blog will be about the process of creating my Bio Cube. A Bio Cube includes information about yourself that others can read to get to know you better. The information included six different sides that include; pictures of yourself, your background, saying what personalities you have, what things are significant to you, what obstacles you have, and a quote you use to have you with your life. We answered all of these questions (aside from the pictures) in our Leadership Notebook, so that we know what to put when we did it on Canva. When we got Chromebooks, we logged into an 'Ilima account made for Canva, and started making slides that had the six things on six different slides. We got to design the slides so that we can make it however we want, and design it however we want. After that, we waited until Ms. Shayna printed out our slides on pieces of paper. We had to cut out the squares, and tape them onto a cardboard box we folded ourselves. After taping all of the cut out paper onto the box, we now had our very own Bio Cube that everyone could look at. We brought them to our field trip to the beach, to which we shared and read out loud all the sides with Alumni and they shared their opinions. When school started, it was now the time where we shared with our group the different sides of our Bio Cubes. We shared them in A101, and in the cafeteria to test our ability to speak clearly and in the correct volume to an audience. There was one side of our Bio Cube we had to share with the rest of the seventh graders in leadership, which was our obstacle(s) and that was the last thing we did (so far) with our Bio Cubes (Bro I was so scared to share my obstacle AUIJHIUHEUDHIE).

Highlights + Lowlights

Highlights

Making Bio Cube slides in Canva - Making and designing our own slides for our Bio Cube was fun because we got to make them however we wanted, and seeing how other people made theirs was interesting to me since everyone's was different and uniquely them.
Watching and Listening to everyone else share their Bio Cube sides - It was nice to hear what people put for the different sides of the Bio Cube, and helped me know more about my group alongside everyone in Leadership.
Cutting out the printed paper of our slides - This was the thing I enjoyed most and its was literally just cutting the paper out before we taped the squares onto the sides of the Bio Cube. I don't know why, but it was satisfying to cut the squares out lol.

Lowlights

Sharing out-loud the sides of our Bio Cube - Talking to an audience isn't something I'm foreign to, since I did it quite often in 6th grade, but that doesn't mean I'm not afraid of it. I still get nervous about having to speak in front of a crowd, especially if you're sharing information about yourself.
Having to think about what to put on our sides - Having to think about what to put on our slides made me conflicted, because I was stumped on what I wanted to share about myself that others could see and read. It felt out of my comfort zone to have personal information where everyone can read it.
Putting pictures of yourself on the Bio Cube - I do not like showing pictures of myself (without a filter of courseee), I don't know why but it's mostly because I think I look bad in photos, and that there's always something wrong about myself.

Lessons Learned

The Bio Cube Creation Process

The first step of any project is to prepare, but sometimes, the most challenging part is simply getting started. By first answering questions in my Leadership Notebook, I was able to gather my thoughts and ideas before I even opened Canva. This process highlights a key lesson: Breaking a big project down into smaller, manageable steps can make it feel less overwhelming and help you focus on one thing at a time.

Highlights: The Joy of Creativity and Shared Experiences

I really enjoyed designing my slides and seeing how everyone's personality came through in their unique designs. This shows that even when a project has a specific purpose, there’s always room for personal creativity and expression. A great lesson here is: Sometimes, the most fulfilling parts of a project are the moments of personal expression and the opportunity to connect with others through shared creativity. The satisfaction I found in cutting out the paper also reminds me that simple, hands-on tasks can be surprisingly enjoyable.

Lowlights: Facing Fears and Finding Comfort

I mentioned that public speaking still makes me nervous, even though I’ve done it before. This is a very common feeling. It shows that it's okay to feel nervous, especially when you're sharing personal information with a group. The more you practice, the more comfortable you might become, but it’s still brave to get up there and speak, no matter how many times you do it. The fact that I was scared to share my obstacle but did it anyway shows a lot of courage. The lesson is that true bravery isn't the absence of fear, but the willingness to act despite it.

It was also challenging for me to think about what to share and to put photos of myself on the cube. This part of the project pushed me out of my comfort zone. This experience offers a great lesson: Growth often happens when you're pushed outside of your comfort zone. While it can be uncomfortable, sharing a part of yourself can lead to a deeper understanding of who you are and build stronger connections with others.

Six GLOS (and how I met them)

Self-Directed Learner (Takes responsibility for one's own learning.) - I met this GLO by taking initiative throughout the project. I had to think about what to put on each slide and complete those tasks on my own. I also had to remember and apply the lessons I learned from my past public speaking experiences to complete this new task. By using my Leadership Notebook to prepare, I took ownership of my creative process and ensured I was ready for the next step.
Community Contributor (Understands the importance of working together and cooperating with others.) - I demonstrated this by not only creating my own cube but also engaging with others during the process. I listened to everyone else share their Bio Cube sides, which helped me learn more about my group. I also shared my own cube with alumni and my classmates, which contributed to a shared experience and helped build a sense of community within the group.
Complex Thinker (Demonstrates the ability to think critically and solve problems.) - This was evident in how I approached the project. I had to critically analyze myself to determine what personal information I wanted to share. This involved looking at different aspects of my life—my background, personality, significant things, and obstacles—and then deciding how to best represent them on the cube. I had to think deeply about what makes me, me.
Quality Producer (Recognizes and produces quality performance and products.) - I met this GLO by creating a well-designed and complete Bio Cube. I took the time to design my slides in Canva, cut out the squares precisely, and assemble the final product. The fact that the cubes were then used on a field trip and in presentations to a group shows that I created a finished, high-quality product that was fit for its intended purpose.
Effect Communicator (Communicates effectively in various situations.) - I proved this GLO by sharing my Bio Cube with different audiences, including alumni and my classmates in various locations like the classroom and the cafeteria. Even though I was nervous, I spoke clearly and at an appropriate volume to ensure my message was heard and understood. This shows that I can communicate personal information effectively to a group, even when it's challenging.
Effective and Ethical User of Technology (Uses technology effectively and ethically in different contexts.) - I used technology effectively by creating my slides on Canva and using a Chromebook. This shows that I can use digital tools to complete a creative project. I used this technology as a way to express myself and share my story, which is a responsible and ethical way to use a digital platform.

What experience I struggled with, what I could change, and how I would change it.

Public Speaking: I mentioned getting nervous when speaking in front of a crowd, especially when the topic is personal. Despite having experience with it, the fear of being in the spotlight and sharing my personal thoughts and feelings still made me anxious.

Reframe Public Speaking as an Opportunity, Not a Performance: Instead of focusing on the fear of being judged, try to see public speaking as a chance to connect with others. Everyone has a story to tell, and sharing mine can help build relationships. My peers, alumni, and teachers were all there to learn from me, not to judge me. The vulnerability I showed by sharing my obstacle likely resonated with many people who have faced similar challenges.

Practice in a Low-Stakes Environment: If I have another public speaking opportunity, I could practice what I want to say in a mirror, or to a family member or friend. Rehearsing my words out loud can help me feel more confident and prepared.