Future Of Equality

This is the unit two Action Project for my humanities course Equality. Unit two was titled Herstory and investigated what the future of equality will look like. We studied modern issues involving gender, race, and class. We learned about the feminist movement of 1970's and how it helped to shape certain fights for equality today. The class discussed about how one hears the voices of the marginalized. The action project asked students to look one hundred years into the future and create a time capsule. The time capsule contains various documents which shed light on a specific event relating to equality. I really liked this unit as it allowed me to question a lot of my prior ideas. I like how herstory contradicts some of the fundamental ideas of history. This unit was wonderful and I believe the AP was a creative and engaging way to finish it up.

America’s Destiny:A Futuristic New-Source 

February 24, 2117 

Bridge To Be Built Between The US And Mexico!

   The beginning of the 2100’s has brought a plethora of significant advancements and achievements in equality for all. The United States has recently been focusing their efforts on unifying Americans and Mexicans with a revolutionary border bridge. 

   Various unification efforts have been underway for the past few decades. Currently, there lacks systems and policies that effectively reflect the Mexican majority present here in America.      

Conversations regarding the construction of a border bridge began taking place in Washington, DC last year. An official proposal for the bridge was presented to congress yesterday. 

   The bill received bipartisan support because of it’s potential to produce a substantial cultural and economic impact. Congress’s session prioritized the formulation a budget and timeline. A major component of the proposition is creating a bridge that can be properly utilized across the entirety of the US and Mexico border. The people traveling between the two countries need entry points several times along the border in order for the program and structure to work as intended.
   Another fundamental component is that Mexico will participate in the financing and construction of the bridge. The significant time and monetary investment required for the construction and maintenance should be shared amongst the two countries. History has shown us what racism and xenophobia can do to our nation’s values, progress, and relationships. The intention of the bridge is to recognize our borders as doors rather than walls.
   The bridge is intended to stretch across the whole US - Mexico border and include access points in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Both US and Mexican citizens will be able to travel back and forth between the two countries from any of the access points. The accessibility of the entries is intended to increase the flow of people crossing. The United States and Mexico share the mutual belief that the bridge will generate economic and cultural prosperity.
   Construction is set to begin before the end of the year and is expected to take just under two years. The old days of “build that wall” are gone and the new days of a connected US - Mexico is approaching!

America’s Destiny:A Futuristic Newsource 

February 24, 2117 

Op-Ed

My name is Julio Sanchez and I’m a Mexican American. My parents made the bold decision to cross the border and have me here in the US. Their lives were secure back in Mexico. They had their friends and family. Both of them had a good job and they shared a nice home. Their decision to come here was made solely for me, their unborn son. Shortly after arriving in Texas they had me and we began our brand new life. They began new jobs but struggled to maintain them due to the language barrier as well as their legal status. We made it through the hard times and now hearing that there’s a strong possibility that our home land might unite with the US via bridge I am overwhelmed with emotion. So much of my history and identity was formed by that border. It acted as a wall both physically and psychologically. We couldn’t go back to our homeland. We were denied the ability to be with our family and culture. The new bill that would begin the construction on a border bridge is the most exciting policies i’ve seen come about in a long time. It recognizes the vast number of Mexicans in the US and their connection to home. It creates a legal framework for going back and forth between the two countries. The economic possibilities for both countries is endless. The transfer of culture and ethnic backgrounds will occur like never before. It really redefines prior notions of countries and borders. Instead of there being an impenetrable wall there is a bridge with has doors in it. For the first time my family will be able to go back where they came from. This act of removing the wall and turning into a bridge is a testament to the unified future we’re heading in.

Bill

An Act

The United States Of America will begin the construction of a border bridge along the entirety of the US - Mexico border. The US will be splitting the finances, construction, and maintenance with Mexico. Both countries hope to strengthen their economies and cultures. The design process officially begins on March 1 and construction will begin in July. The US and Mexico will work vigorously constructing the bridge. The United States and Mexico’s unified efforts towards the bridge will last roughly three years until construction is complete and then many years afterwards allowing the flow of people in and out for the betterment of both countries. 

Unity Puzzle

Come Unlock Your Mind!

Unity Puzzle, MS, 2017

This is a unity puzzle. The theme of the puzzle is turning walls into doors. It’s intended to subliminally inspire players to be more open minded. This game was created because acceptance and unity need to be more widely implemented and puzzle are timeless. A large part of the game is spent building the surrounding wall. After completion, the player realizes that through the wall lays a door to the other side. The hope for the game is to have players break down their walls and start recognizing the doors.

Demographic Analysis

This is the unit two Action Project for my STEAM course Systems and Models. Unit two was titled Group and focused on analyzing how groups function and the methods used to better groups. We learned about team and relationship building as well as how Psychologists use the scientific method during their studies. The AP asked students to create and conduct a research study based on group observations. I loved having the freedom to take my interests into account when creating my study. The research portion gave me a quantitative understanding of what I ultimately compared my data to. I think the length of the project was easily overcome by the time allowed for work and the dedication I had towards it. I really enjoyed this unit and think this was an intense but beneficial AP to nicely finish it off.

Textbook Chapter

This is the unit 1 Action Project for my Humanities course Equality. Unit 1 was titled history and was guided by the question "What is the history of the fight for equality?" In class we explored the history of race, gender, and class. We had conversations about current issues in our society and studied wonderful of equality fighters from across history. The Action Project was focused on telling a story. Students were asked to recount a significant historical event. Students were asked to create a chapter for a textbook focused on marginalized people. I selected a topic I was previously interested in but not well versed in. I really enjoyed the first unit of this course and thought the action project was a creative way to finish up the unit. It was interesting to do an AP in a new format, a textbook chapter. This project wasn't too difficult but it did take a long time to complete. Overall, I am happy with what  I learned and the project I produced to show my mastery.

Self Portrait

This the unit one action project for my second senior STEAM course titled Systems and Models. Unit one was titled individual and focused on how psychology can help us think about ourselves in a plethora of ways. We all say we know ourselves but how many of us really do? We investigated ourselves through a variety of assessments and experiments. We became aware of how we fit in to society as well as how we work with certain types of people. The tests we took helped us all learn more about ourselves and how we function. I really enjoyed the entirety of this unit. I really liked the balance of math and science with philosophy and psychology. The action project asked students to take all that they've learned and make a self portrait with an artist statement. This was my favorite AP at GCE and it made me incredibly happy to do. I loved all aspects of the project even the difficult ones because I was constantly engaged and excited. Below is my piece and statement. Hope you enjoy !

“Me For You”

Acrylic and Ink on Canvas 

48” X 24”

2017
MS

“Me For You” is a large painting that attempts to represent the entirety of my being. My physical and inner self merge into one complexity which occupies the canvas with an array of colors and gestural movements. The piece depicts the totality of my past through a modern perspective. My life and all its phases are incorporated in the background through a process of marbling and fading which is supposed to depict age and change. Throughout the unit, I investigated and took a variety of personality assessments which helped me formulate a more complete understanding of myself. The first test, Myers Briggs, intends to identify its participants distinctive personality type and how they interact with the world. The test contains questions in four categories: favorite world, information, decisions, and structure and uses the participants responses to assign a unique personality type. After concluding the Myers Briggs test, I learned I am an ENFP which is also known as a campaigner. The N, which stands for intuition, is relevant to my creative process which birthed this pure representation of myself. The symbolism and abstraction that makes up the piece arise from the deep connection my inner vibes share with my current moment. The creation process began with intense feelings of confusion and anger which manifested as large jagged stroked and scratches. My campaigner spirit allowed a bit of my maintained madness to flow which allowed me to approach the piece with independence and creative freedom. Another influential assessment that helped shape the piece was the Enneagram. The test assigns participants to one of nine interconnected personalities. After completing the Enneagram test, I found out I am a seven with a four integration. Sevens are also known as “The Enthusiast because Sevens are enthusiastic about almost everything that catches their attention. They approach life with curiosity, optimism, and a sense of adventure, like “kids in a candy store” who look at the world in wide-eyed, rapt anticipation of all the good things they are about to experience.” My approach to this piece was driven by my childlike curiosity and approach to dealing with my emotions through a hands on experience. I represented my enthusiast qualities in several abstract ways also decided to include a big number seven in the piece, can you find it? These tests were an integral part of the creation of the piece which required a lot of self awareness as well as an understanding of my connection to the here and now.

I explored several physiological experiments and case studies to gain insight into other people's behaviors. The marshmallow test is a very famous and simple test that asks participants to sit in front of a marshmallow for a period of time without eating it. If they can successfully use their control and willpower their prize will double. During our in class version of the experiment, I easily waited the time necessary to gain the additional prize. That patient mindset was utilized during the creation process of the piece. I was able to work intensely while still being able to recognize the pieces development and it’s stopping point. Another experiment that influenced my piece was the Stanford Prison Experiment. A Psychologist named Philip Zimbardo created a simulated prison with students participating as either inmates or guards. This experiment inspired me to incorporate as many sides of me as possible into the piece. Several silhouettes and faces are present throughout the whole piece.

An American Psychologist named Carl Rogers described someone who is in a constant pursuit of reaching self actualization as a fully functioning person. A key element to a fully functioning person is a malleable self image. Rogers was a huge source of inspiration for my non representational approach to the portrait. I wanted to crush break all boundaries and be limitless with my perception of self. Another Psychologist whose work inspired the piece was William James. He was one of the Fathers of American Psychology. His writings on happiness were particularly interesting and influential. James talked about how there are two types of people, once borns who are predisposed to happiness and a twice borns who have to work towards happiness. I most definitely identify as a twice born and have had to work tremendously to reach levels of contentment. Creating this self portrait allowed me to have a place to work through a lot of questions and emotions I had which ultimately left me feeling happier and smarter. Following the completion of the piece I reached out to a friend of mine and fellow artist named Stevie Dread. We chatted for awhile about what makes a great artist statement. After a very rich and useful conversation I got the idea that reason and identity are two integral things for an artist statement. Why you did what you did needs to be articulated for the viewer in an honest manner. All these additional sources greatly benefited my project by providing me with new lenses to view myself and environment.

My thought process for creating this piece was fairly straightforward: Get in the studio and just begin working uninhibited. I calmed my mind and body through deep breathing and allowed the flow of energy to take control. I believe that you are your energy and if you find a way to tap into it and unleash it, the end result will be a wholesome representation of yourself. The final piece has dozens of layers each with a different purpose and story. I began with huge strokes of paint that covered the canvas. Color choices were made solely on what was closest to me at the time. After a base layer was laid, I began scratching and carving away at the wet paint. The next few layers were primarily touch ups and and additional background detailings. The foreground of the piece is comprised of many abstract strokes and shapes. The foreground is where the chunk of the story resides. It is the location I decided to include the most faces and structures. Direct elements that came about from my research are included as well as more abstract ones. My visual work represents me and my story by being unpredictable, deep, and engaging. This piece was made with the intention of sharing myself to all those who view it. I wanted to create a piece with a size that I felt would engage the viewers. As a fan of art, I love the bigger pieces and wanted to bring some of that scale to my viewers. I want to engage them in an internal dialogue with themselves. I would feel accomplished if I could arise feelings of discomfort and confusion because I believe those are emotions that impact a person. I’m trying to instill a certain feeling of hope in people. I want them to love themselves and have a desire to dive deeper into their psyche and soul. I hope that I can provide them with the keys to unlock their doors of perception.

Sources:

"Stevie Dread." Telephone interview. 19 Jan. 2017.

Personality Test Site. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Jan. 2017.

"An Overview of the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI)." An Overview of the TKI | Kilmann Diagnostics. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Jan. 2017.

"The Myers & Briggs Foundation - Sensing or Intuition." The Myers & Briggs Foundation - Sensing or Intuition. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Jan. 2017.

"Type Seven." The Enneagram Institute. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Jan. 2017.

Https://www.facebook.com/verywell. "Who Was Psychologist Carl Rogers?" Verywell. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Jan. 2017.

"William James." Biography.com. A&E Networks Television, 14 Nov. 2014. Web. 21 Jan. 2017.

Gerhard Richter Painting Review

This is the action project for the elective course titled Ollywood. Ollywood is the suffix for Hollywood, Bollywood, and Nollywood. The course investigated various movies and analyzed how stories are told through film. We discussed several films and gave them our thumbs up or down. Amazing discussions were had during and after each movie we watched. Getting to hear all my classmates perspectives was very eye opening and added to my overall positive experience in the class. We examined the three stages of movie creation, pre production, production, and post production. Students learned about what takes place before the camera start rolling and all the work that must take place to create a movie. During our study of production we took on the role of director and focused on framing and lighting. The last stage of movie creation, post production, is where all the final edits and changes are made. We went on a wonderful FE to Morningstar where we met with their in house video team. Getting to see professionals do their work and hear them speak was a pleasure and added to my overall understanding of many of the concepts. The course had one culminating action project that asked students to utilize skills from all three units. Students were asked to select a movie and conduct a review of it. I selected one of my all time favorite films titled, Gerhard Richter Painting. Below you can find my review of the documentary: Gerhard Richter Painting Review from Max Sheridan on Vimeo.

Planning My Economic Future

This is the Unit 2 action project for my Economics course. Unit 2 was titled Wealth and Wages and investigated the ways wealth can be accumulated as well as distributed. Students studied major economic systems and analyzed different conflicts involving governments and the market. We learned about free market capitalism and the economists that pushed for its implementation. Students learned about the stock market and how to make investments. The concept of time was approached from various perspectives in the unit. I really enjoyed all the connections to my personal life. This unit reinforced the idea that economics is a way of thinking that can be applied to many areas of life. The unit wrapped up with an action project that asked students to think about their own economic plan. The project was centered around this hypothetical situation: 18 years ago, your guardian angel set up a college savings plan for you with an initial investment of $8,500. Your angel contributed $50 each month to the college savings plan ($600 yearly). After 18 years at an average annual interest rate of 7%, compounded annually, the plan is now worth a hefty lump sum. Yesterday, you cashed out your plan and deposited the money in a brokerage account to invest on your own. Students had to first determine what that amount was and then use it to create and analyze three economic portfolios. Making these portfolios was a wonderful way to take everything I've learned in the unit and course and show my mastery of the knowledge. I really enjoyed this project and thought its connection to the real world was wonderful. Im very happy with how my project turned out!

After analyzing the information about the college savings plan set up by my guardian angel I have determined it's current value. In order to begin planning for what I hope to be a prosperous and secure future I have determined to cash out and begin investing. After completing several calculations I have come to the conclusion that the college savings plan in my name is currently worth a total of $49,128.87.

Before I dive into the details of my portfolios I would like to give an explanation of who I am as an investor. An investment philosophy is a set of principles that help guide an individual's choices when investing. My personal investment philosophy closely resembles several of my life philosophies. I would classify myself as a high risk person and investor. I see risk as an opportunity to grow personally and financially. Another large component of my investment philosophy is wanting to make socially responsible investments. I’m looking to make investments that align with my moral compass. A contrarian mindset is the last element of my investment philosophy. In investing, this manifests through making investments in opposition to the majority.

My high risk mindset can best be represented by this investment risk tolerance quiz I took online from finance professors at Rutgers University:

Risk Tolerance, Rutgers, 2016

The time horizons I have set for my investment goals are quite long. My short term plan is focused on growing and securing my future finances. Time horizon effects my investment strategy because my goals require more money as time goes on. In order to prepare for that, I’ve allowed my largest investment to also be my longest with the hope that steady growth over 25 years will result in a hefty return on my investment.

I created three SMART goals to help me create my portfolios and guide my investing. SMART goals are Smart, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, And Timed goals. The specific goals I have created for myself are investments that are going to help me manage and progress my career as an artist. My three goals are:
1-year goal: Rent a space and have an art exhibition ($2500)

5-year goal: Pay off all existing debt as well as debt accumulated during college ($40,000)

25-year goal: Own a huge space for a complete art studio ($150000)

The type of companies I value the most are ones that balance their social and environmental footprint with their drive for profit. I believe that the profits produced by a company shouldn’t come at a detriment to the world. The companies I value operate using morals and ethics that are similar to mine. I attempt to identify companies that are working towards the things I want to see come into fruition in the world. An analysis of my choices:

Facebook (FB): I chose Facebook because it is company I use and have seen grown in a short period of time. I also love their values: Be bold, focus on impact, move fast, be open, build social value. They are working on a WIFI initiative that is attempting to spread internet which I strongly agree with and adore. Facebook also owns Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus Rift. In an economic context, Facebook has a P/E of 63 which is relatively high compared to the technology sector's P/E of 26. Since becoming a publicly traded company in 2012, Facebook's stock has been constantly growing with no major downticks. The market's sentiment of Facebook is bullish, which I agree with regardless of my usual contain mindset and strategy. I hope my assumption is correct that their current initiatives will become major successes and their constant growth will continue for many years.

Facebook Stock, Google, 2016

Alphabet Inc (GOOGL): Alphabet Inc is a multinational technology company that specializes in internet based services and products. Alphabet operates through various segments, Google being the most widely known. I believe the work they have done and are doing has an essential place in shaping our future in the best way possible. Alphabet and is various counterparts have been at the forefront of technological advancement and innovation for many years and don't plan on stopping any time soon. They have a plethora of amazing companies and products under them such as YouTube, Android, and Chrome. Economically, Alphabet's growth both quarterly and annually is significantly larger than the industry's average. Their yearly growth is 15.40% compared to the industry's average of -.057%. Looking a bit into the future, Alphabet is projected to grow 18.90% next year while the industry is only projected to grow .28%. Alphabet is a perfect company for me as investor because they share similar morals and work on projects that I believe will enhance life for everyone. They also have been following a steady pattern of growth and market projects say that will continue on into the future.

Alphabet Stock, Google, 2016

Canadian Solar Inc (CSIQ): Canadian Solar is a global energy provider with business in over 20 countries on 6 continents. They manufacture solar modules and provide solar energy solutions. I believe renewable energy is going to be the future of energy. Canadian solar is major player in the industry and has continuously innovated and pushed their limits. They have a P/E ratio of 5.5. Since going public in 2006, the stock has had its fair share of ups and downs. Currently the stock is at $14.76 which is low in comparison to the rest of the year. I believe that slowly but surely this stock is going to gain stability and begin to steadily grow. I believe that an energy revolution is going to take place over the next few decades and when it does I project Canadian Solar to be on top. 

Canadian Solar Stock, Google, 2016

Oil Future (/cl): This is unlike the previous stocks because this isn't a company I'm investing in but rather a commodity. Futures are financial contracts that facilitate the buying and selling of physical commodities at a predetermined future price and date. The oil future I've decided to trade is /cl and is traded in contracts which equate to 500 barrels of crude oil. I've decided to take my thinking from my CSIQ and play into the other side of it. The renewable energy boom I believe we are going to start seeing will inevitably cause the decline and eventually the demise of oil. My investment decision to short oil futures is due to a desire to want to see a happy and healthy environment that will benefit everyone. I hope that over the course of the next several decades we will start to see a rise in renewable energy and a decline in harmful energy sources such as oil, coal, and nuclear. I hope my investment in shorting oil futures will be both a benefit to the entire world as well as my future personal finances.

/cl Future, Bloomberg, 2016

Portfolio 1 (1Year):
$2164.28
4 shares of Facebook @ $131.29 ($525.16) 24% portfolio
2 shares of Alphabet @ $819.56 ($1639. 12) 76% portfolio

Portfolio 2 (5Year):
$21682.64
84 shares of Facebook @ $131.29 ($11028.36) 51%
13 shares of Alphabet @ $819.56 ($10654.28) 49%

Portfolio 3 (25Year):
$25281.95
858 shares of Canadian Solar @ $14.76 (12664.08) 50%
Shorting 259 contracts of /cl @48.70 (12613.30) 50%

$4.57 remaining from the original $49128.87

The stock sector I primarily focussed on was the technology sector. I believe that technology is going to be a powerful industry as we continue to venture into the future. My portfolio is based on the notion that we are moving into a time where technology will become increasingly integrated into our societies and lifestyles. The two technology companies I decided to invest in, Facebook and Alphabet, have clear missions and goals for the future. I want to put my money where my mind and heart is at. My 25 year portfolio is specifically focused on environmental technology. Investing in a renewable solar energy company was a no brainer for me. Shorting the oil future helped reinforce my idea of a clean energy future. I wanted to balance my desire for profit with a sensible peace of mind. I made sure the investments I was making were going to companies with positive intentions and a clear cut plan for their future growth. The investments I made were partially influenced by an individual. My father frequently shorts oil futures for economic reasons and I recognized that it personally interested me and I wanted to short it as well. Diversification was a key ingredient to my investment strategy. I really absorbed the idea of spreading out your investment from Sarah at Northwestern Mutual. There are so many assumptions made in this project. One of the biggest being that we don't know what the ROI will be for each stock as time passes. Another assumption being made is that we will adhere to the perimeters of the portfolio. Finally, I am assuming that these companies will continue to grow similarly to how they currently are.

Sources:
"${Instrument_CompanyName} ${Instrument_Ric} Quote| Reuters.com." Reuters. Thomson Reuters, n.d. Web. 29 Oct. 2016.

By Taking This Quiz You Will Be Contributing to a Study on Measuring Financial Risk Tolerance. Your Results Will Be Recorded Anonymously. We Are Not Collecting Any Identifying Information. "Investment Risk Tolerance Quiz." : Personal Finance. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Oct. 2016.

"CL1 Commodity Quote." Bloomberg.com. Bloomberg, n.d. Web. 29 Oct. 2016.

"Facebook, Inc. Class A Common Stock (FB)." NASDAQ.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Oct. 2016.

In, By Or Used. "FB Profile | Facebook, Inc. Stock - Yahoo Finance." FB Profile | Facebook, Inc. Stock - Yahoo Finance. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Oct. 2016.

In, By Or Used. "GOOG Analyst Opinion | Analyst Estimates | Alphabet Inc. Stock - Yahoo Finance." GOOG Analyst Opinion | Analyst Estimates | Alphabet Inc. Stock - Yahoo Finance. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Oct. 2016.

Staff, By Investopedia. "P/E Ratio: Using The P/E Ratio | Investopedia." Investopedia. N.p., 2015. Web. 29 Oct. 2016.

"Technology Sector - Yahoo! Finance Industry Browser." Technology Sector - Yahoo! Finance Industry Browser. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Oct. 2016.

Influential Voice

This is the unit two action project for my journalism course. Unit two was titled sound and investigated how radio has spread news and worked to connect us and bring us all together. I enjoyed getting to play the role of a radio journalist and learn the techniques used to spread news and stories. Our class went on a wonderful field experience to the journalism department at Columbia College. We met with a professor and got an inside view of their tv studios, sounds studios and news paper room. It was incredible getting to see college students working hard on various journalism projects that were relevant to our studies in class. We listened to a variety of podcasts and analyzed various stories and the power they posses. I enjoyed learning about Journalist Ira Glass and his ideas about how to tell a good story. He was interesting to study because he constantly touched on the need to take risks and fail in order to grow and succeed in life. The unit culminated with a very relevant action project where students were asked to profile an influential voice from the 20th century. I loved this action project because I was able to explore the life and mind of an artist I've adored for a long time. I thought the project required a tremendous amount of effort and dedication. Although it was hard, I felt I worked through my challenges and produced a very nice final piece. Overall this was a fantastic action project that I am very satisfied with.