Welcome to my first ever blog!
I’ve been thinking about creating a platform to share my thoughts and ideas through blogs for quite some time now, and the idea has been on my mind for over a month. The more I thought about it, the more I realized how much I wanted a space where I could express myself, connect with others, and dive into topics that I’m passionate about. This desire has only grown stronger as the weeks have passed, and now, I’m excited to finally bring this vision to life.
First of all… Who am I?
My name is Jessica Ngok, and I am currently a junior in high school. I’m lucky to call the Bay Area my home for it is filled with such diverse nature and fueled with various types of geological locations. As a result, I’ve grown more interested in learning about our environment and earth. My inspiration for starting this blog has come from both my academic interests and this past summer.
How I got Inspired to Create Blogs
Over the summer of 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in Stanford’s Young Investigators internship, which places a strong emphasis on sustainability and the intricate sciences that govern our planet. The way this internship works is that the lead coordinators assign each selected student to an Earth systems lab, where they will work one-on-one with an experienced researcher. I got selected into the Ocean Biogeochemistry lab under the Arrigo department. The Arrigo lab focuses on understanding the role of phytoplankton in the marine ecosystem and relating it back to biogeochemical processes and the climate system.
Throughout the program, each intern was encouraged to document their journey by writing summaries of their work, sharing personal stories, and reflecting on their experiences. This process of writing was an integral part of the internship, as it allowed us to demonstrate our thoughts and insights. After careful review, these pieces were posted as blogs, giving us a platform to share our experiences with a broader audience.
As the program came to an end, I found myself reflecting on everything I had learned and experienced. I asked myself: How can I continue to share the knowledge and insights I’ve gained through my research this summer? The answer seemed clear…through blogging! By creating and maintaining a blog, I could keep the conversation going, sharing not only my research experiences but also my passion for Earth sciences with a wider audience.
But beyond just sharing my experiences, I realized the importance of informing and inspiring the younger generation about the significance of caring for our planet. Through my blog, I am to not only explore and share the fascinating world of Environmental Science but also encourage young people to understand and appreciate the vital role they play in protecting the future of our Earth.
Also give a follow to roots4tomorrow on Instagram which is a youth-led and co-developed Bay Area HS Sustainability group.
Peace. Love. Earth.,
Jessica Ngok 🌎
Letters To Earth 