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Between the Paint Brush and the Test Tube

As we attend school, we develop many different skills, as well as we take part is various activities, such as observing experiments in Chemistry, learning the origins of formulas in Physics, or learning about the methods of how we can protect the environment around us in Biology. Although we, as students, encounter such, let’s say, fascinating subjects, we may not always be so interested in them. I personally understand such a point of view as well, as it would be a fib for me to say that the intricacies of each subject are equally appealing to me. However, I also believe that finding some actually alluring aspects of the subjects one personally doesn’t enjoy could possibly inspire them to take on a new perspective on the subject. In this article, I will present some interesting titbits that could spark up some curiosity in us, encouraging us to look into the subjects we may find uninteresting a little closer.

 

Mathematics

In my opinion, Mathematics is one of the most controversial subjects we face at school. If we understand it, it can actually be fun and seem simple, but if we do not understand a topic, the subject can get boring and seem more like a chore. One area of Mathematics that I’ve observed to be popular or enjoyed more than others is geometry, and out of all its branching subtopics, I’d like to take a closer look at what is referred to as fractal geometry. It covers the application of simple mathematical formulas to create beautiful, self-repeating patterns known as fractals. The complexity and exquisiteness of fractals seems to extend infinitely, and allows us to notice the middle ground between order and chaos within Maths.


 

Romanesco Broccoli ^                   


Succulents ^



Biology

I believe that Biology can seem obvious, like something I can observe every day, but when I really look into the subject, I get to see wonderful biological phenomena, such as bioluminescence. Bioluminescence is a natural occurrence of living organisms creating their own light through chemical reactions. We can observe it when we’ve gone camping and see adorable little fireflies buzzing through the night-sky.


Tennessee fireflies ^



Physics

Physics can sometimes be perceived as the boring repetition of random formulas which we probably won’t ever use in the future. And yes, I agree that Physics tends to seem quite boring for me as well. On the other hand, I also believe we shouldn’t limit ourselves to just this one perspective as Physics comprises of so many interesting sub-disciplines. Cosmology is one such area of Physics, one which closely studies the origin and the structure of our universe! Its aim is to answer certain fundamental questions concerning the nature of the cosmos as an entirety. Cosmology deals with some fascinating concepts, such as the Big Bang, dark matter and dark energy, and even the possibility of the existence of a multiverse.

 

In conclusion, there are so many different ways to perceive school subjects, and as IB students who strive to embody the IB student profile, keeping an open mind regarding these subjects can only impact us positively.

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