Ducks and Science by Jazmin

Ducks and Science by Jazmin - February 2025 Scholarship Essay

When I was six years old I swam in a dirty duck pond at a local park because I wanted to swim with the ducks and look for their eggs. I was wearing my regular clothes and even dragged my cousin with me to the murky water filled with insects and other organisms lurking within its brown tinted surface. My strong determination to find what the ideal nesting place looked like for ducks was a clear example of how I have always been inclined to learn about the environment’s elements and the science behind them. Science is a topic that has always sparked my interest and curiosity as it explains the reasons for why certain events occur and helps find the answer to questions. The scientific method taught in science classes is something I am able to apply to my everyday life like when I am experimenting with cooking.
The content that I am taught in science classes like chemistry and biology have allowed me to better understand the environment around me because I can make connections from what I learned in class to the events and organisms around me. I have a better understanding about diseases like cancer and of the importance of certain components of the body. It has also made me more aware about the dangers of human disturbances in the environment and how it affects humans as well. All these interesting topics inspire me to continue learning about the world and its diversity.
My passion for learning about science led to me constantly seeking opportunities to further my knowledge in this subject. For most of my years in high school, I have taken college level science courses like Pre-AP Chemistry, AP chemistry, Pre-AP biology, and AP biology because they go into detail and they have more lab work which I enjoy doing. My extracurriculars like Upward Bound also give me the chance to submerge myself in the world of science on a deeper level. Two years ago I traveled to Juneau, Alaska with Upward Bound to learn about environmental science with scientists who were actively doing research on Alaska’s ecosystem. This opportunity helped me narrow down if I wanted to pursue a science degree because of the intriguing search experience that was something I found enjoyable. My expanding knowledge about the science on Earth creates more motivation for me to ensure that I am finding ways to obtain a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering.