For Pi Day 2025, I was part of the decor team a role that allowed me to creatively contribute to an event that celebrates mathematics in a fun and engaging way. Being involved in the decoration process gave me the opportunity to explore and apply my artistic side in a meaningful setting. While there were challenges, such as sourcing the right materials and planning effective designs, overcoming these obstacles made the experience even more fulfilling.

LO1 – Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth
Working on the decor team pushed me to step outside of my comfort zone. At the start, I found it difficult to collaborate smoothly with my peers, and I often struggled with impatience during group work. However, as the event progressed, I discovered some of my personal strengths particularly my cutting and drawing skills, which I had previously developed in Product Design. These abilities became crucial in bringing our decoration ideas to life and will continue to help me in subjects like Design Technology. At the same time, I became aware of areas I needed to improve, such as teamwork and patience. With time, I began working better with others, improving my communication and overall collaboration skills. This growth experience helped me both personally and creatively.

LO2 – Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills
Preparing for Pi Day came with its fair share of difficulties, mismanagement, low participation, and a lack of artistic experience among the group. Despite this, I took on the challenge and focused on improving my creative thinking. One of my key contributions was designing a Photo Cutout Stand of Albert Einstein, along with helping create vibrant display boxes. Through this, I learned how to use contrasting colors effectively and started thinking more about visual balance skills I hadn’t explored before. We also made a conscious effort to reduce waste and design decorations that could be reused, aligning with sustainable practices. These challenges encouraged me to grow and develop new skills I can use in future creative projects.

LO4 – Show perseverance and commitment in CAS experience
This experience required consistent effort and dedication. I stayed actively involved in the project even when things became stressful or disorganized. We made many last minute additions like creating a “number tree” using a real plant and decorating an empty blackboard with Pi symbols to enhance the event. I remained open-minded and reflective throughout the process, regularly evaluating my work and adjusting based on feedback. Our team showed real commitment by attending early-morning meetings, sticking to deadlines, and working together to solve problems. Balancing my academic workload with this project taught me time management and prioritization. My constant participation and contribution reflected my dedication and persistence throughout the experience.

LO5 – Demonstrate skills and benefits of working collaboratively
Teamwork was essential for bringing our ideas to life. We had to communicate clearly, listen to each other’s input, and share constructive feedback. Tasks were divided based on individual strengths, helping us work more efficiently. Collaborating with different team members exposed me to new ideas and creative approaches I wouldn’t have considered on my own. This teamwork not only improved the quality of our final decorations but also helped me strengthen my collaboration, problem-solving, and adaptability skills. The experience taught me how valuable it is to work with others toward a shared goal.

Overall, being part of the Pi Day decor team allowed me to express myself creatively while learning important lessons about teamwork, resilience, and self-improvement. It was a truly rewarding experience that I will carry forward into future CAS activities and beyond.