ravindu
Dec 22, 2010
Undergraduate / "My natural skills are science and math" - NCSSM ESSAY [4]
Have you engaged in activities that demonstrate your interest in mathematics and/or science?
If so, please describe the activities and the extent and nature of your involvement.
Ever since I entered grade school, I have been asked the question "What do you want to be when you grow up?" My future dream ranged from an astronaut to a policeman. However as I progressed in life I began to realize that I need to focus on skills I am adept in. I realized that my true natural skills (skills that easily "set" into one's mind) are science and math. Although I was younger than my peers, my natural skills helped me become superior to my peers in all subjects. My father told me that if you do not practice your natural skills, they will go degrade. As I followed this axiom, I saw my math and science skills beginning to increase as I widened the intellectual gap between me and my peers.
In the 7th grade I undertook Science Olympiad. I participated in three events: Crave the Wave, Oceanography, and Science Crime Busters. I placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively in the regional competition. That year, we won the regional title and I felt that my results and efforts were contributive. Also, in the 8th grade I won one 1st place and two 2nd places. I continued my winning streak through High School as I won and am still winning many 1st and 2nd place awards.
Unlike my science skills, I realized my math skills very early. In 5th grade I won the annual Math Contest, a single elimination school wide tournament.. After this victory I began to understand what one of my natural skills was - Math. My first major interschool math tournament occurred in 8th grade when my teacher persuaded me to join the school's Math Team. Although my team was not victorious I felt that I performed to the best of my ability and achieved my goals by answering all of my questions correctly. I continued to participate with the Math Team, now called Mathletes, in High School. In 9th grade I maintained an 88% answer accuracy, a milestone which I hope to improve.
My father's adage flows harmoniously with the NCSSM motto "maius opus moveo" which means accept the greater challenge. I feel that if I follow both of these "guidelines", I will achieve great success in NCSSM and in life.
Have you engaged in activities that demonstrate your interest in mathematics and/or science?
If so, please describe the activities and the extent and nature of your involvement.
Ever since I entered grade school, I have been asked the question "What do you want to be when you grow up?" My future dream ranged from an astronaut to a policeman. However as I progressed in life I began to realize that I need to focus on skills I am adept in. I realized that my true natural skills (skills that easily "set" into one's mind) are science and math. Although I was younger than my peers, my natural skills helped me become superior to my peers in all subjects. My father told me that if you do not practice your natural skills, they will go degrade. As I followed this axiom, I saw my math and science skills beginning to increase as I widened the intellectual gap between me and my peers.
In the 7th grade I undertook Science Olympiad. I participated in three events: Crave the Wave, Oceanography, and Science Crime Busters. I placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively in the regional competition. That year, we won the regional title and I felt that my results and efforts were contributive. Also, in the 8th grade I won one 1st place and two 2nd places. I continued my winning streak through High School as I won and am still winning many 1st and 2nd place awards.
Unlike my science skills, I realized my math skills very early. In 5th grade I won the annual Math Contest, a single elimination school wide tournament.. After this victory I began to understand what one of my natural skills was - Math. My first major interschool math tournament occurred in 8th grade when my teacher persuaded me to join the school's Math Team. Although my team was not victorious I felt that I performed to the best of my ability and achieved my goals by answering all of my questions correctly. I continued to participate with the Math Team, now called Mathletes, in High School. In 9th grade I maintained an 88% answer accuracy, a milestone which I hope to improve.
My father's adage flows harmoniously with the NCSSM motto "maius opus moveo" which means accept the greater challenge. I feel that if I follow both of these "guidelines", I will achieve great success in NCSSM and in life.