Newsfeed

As rightly stated by Ralph Waldo Emerson, ‘It’s the not the Destination, rather it's the journey’, and my Personal Project experience perfectly encapsulates this sentiment. My journey during Personal Project has been like navigating through a labyrinth, meeting dead ends, however finding alternative solutions to my problems. 

My personal project journey commenced on 20th March when I was introduced to the subject and its objectives. Filled with enthusiasm, I compiled a list of possible topics to explore during the upcoming year. After careful deliberation and the guidance of my peers, mentors, and parents, I chose to delve into the world of Genomics, focusing specifically on Gene Editing. 

While I was confident in my chosen topic, I encountered difficulties in determining a suitable product that would effectively demonstrate my knowledge and understanding of Gene Editing. My search ranged from exploring research paper ideas to contemplating YouTube videos and even considering writing a book. However, I was shortly reminded of the challenges I faced while delving into this concept. 

I was a 12-year-old, brimming with curiosity and a thirst for knowledge when I was initially introduced to genomics as a concept during a captivating science lesson. Although the subject intrigued me, I found the available resources to be excessively technical and intricate, especially for a seventh grader. This personal revelation served as a catalyst to create "The DNA Dialogues," a podcast dedicated to breaking down and demystifying genomics into bite-sized segments, tailored for high school students. 

The journey of crafting this podcast has presented its fair share of challenges. From identifying suitable topics to incorporate into my episodes, to distilling complex ideas into an easily comprehensible format for a 10-year-old audience, and even locating expert guest speakers specialized in the field of gene editing, every step has demanded dedication and effort. 

The inception of this podcast involved brainstorming and listing potential subtopics within gene editing. After careful consideration, I settled on five intriguing subtopics, laying the foundation for the entire season. The next phase encompassed diligently curating a lineup of speakers while conducting extensive research for each category. Presently, I am immersed in the recording process, collaborating with guest speakers and crafting individual podcasts, each contributing to the captivating exploration of gene editing. 

For me, the journey has proved to be far more meaningful than the destination. I have embraced personal growth by developing and honing various skills, venturing beyond my comfort zone. Researching extensively for scriptwriting and preparing questions has enhanced my research skills, while interacting with guest speakers has improved my social and communication abilities. As the podcast host, I have enhanced the ability to simplifying complex topics for my target audience as well. Conclusively, this has been an immersive and enjoyable experience, bringing valuable insights that I have gained. 

By: Diya Mehra, MYP 5C