Summary Draft 1

With the rise of global warming in recent years, ideas of green airports have been introduced to mitigate the issue of global warming. A green airport refers to a more environmentally friendly infrastructure that reduces the ecological footprint of airport operations contributing to high carbon emissions. Singapore Changi Airport (SCA), the world’s best airport, would be a fine example. The infrastructure incorporates features such as maximizing natural lighting and ventilation. Research has shown “numerous benefits for both the environment and building occupants. When applied together, they create a synergy that optimizes energy efficiency, enhances indoor air quality, and improves overall occupant well-being”(Utilities One,2023). Additionally, SCA uses eco-friendly and recycled building materials such as recycled concrete that is made up of “50% new stones and 50% recycled stones in a concrete design mix.”(Changi Airport Group,2019). Therefore, it not only protects natural resources but also prevents wastage. Lastly, the airport initiated a carbon offsetting program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with airport operations. According to the Straits Times, this program “supports environmental projects such as rainforest preservation and the construction of solar energy projects across India”(Loi,2023). With these advanced features, a Green Airport becomes an infrastructure with multifaceted benefits.

References

Utilities  One. (2023, 29 October). Daylighting and Natural Ventilation Synergistics Strategies in Construction.

https://utilitiesone.com/daylighting-and-natural-ventilation-synergistic-strategies-in-construction

Changi Airport Group. (2019, March). Recycling concrete - Paving the way to a sustainable future. 

https://www.changiairport.com/corporate/sustainability/sustainable-changi/recycle-concrete.html#:~:text=Through%20an%20engineering%20collaboration%20with,durability%20of%20the%20 parking%20 bays.

Loi, Esther. (2023, 15 November). Passengers can offset carbon emissions from air travel under new Changi Airport initiative. 

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/changi-airport-rolls-out-carbon-offset-programme-for-passengers

Initial Research Pathway

Description of a Green Airport

Changi Airport Jewel
Image from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrastructure_of_Changi_Airport

Descriptive Reflection (Formal Introductory Letter)

Dear Professor Blackstone,

I am Nadiah, from class S16, enrolled in the critical thinking and communication module under your guidance.

I graduated from Temasek Polytechnic in 2023 with a diploma in biomedical engineering. My education journey had a slightly different route compared to my peers, as I attended the Institute of Technical Education prior to entering the polytechnic.

In 2020, I graduated Institute of Technical Education with a Higher Nitec certificate in precision engineering, and in 2018 with a Nitec certificate in medical manufacturing technology. 

I was offered a part-time job by my polytechnic internship company. It gave me the opportunity to actively contribute to both the biomedical engineering department as well as the operations and facilities department. I got to participate in renovation work for the company's expansion, necessitating frequent travel for site visits and interactions with various vendors and contractors. The experience significantly influenced my decision to specialize in civil engineering, which is what I am currently pursuing. 

During my free time, I find joy in watching a variety of shows and movies across genres, including documentaries, comedy, and romance. Additionally, I enjoy spending time with my friends.

My strength in communication skills is that I am an active listener. This skill enables me to understand others' perspectives, foster empathy, build trust, and establish rapport. However, I find it a challenge when it comes to public speaking, causing me to have anxiety.

I have two goals to achieve in this module. Firstly, I aim to overcome the nervousness that I may experience during presentations, in hopes of feeling more at ease and confident in front of an audience. Furthermore, I am committed to refining my report writing, with a specific emphasis on improving grammar. I am looking forward to learning and improving myself in your class.

Thank you for your time. 

Yours Sincerely, 

Nadiah

The Importance of communication skills for engineers

 “Communication skills are an essential component in the education of

engineering students to facilitate not just students’ education but also to 

prepare them for their future careers.”

I fully agree with this statement. In my opinion, one of the sole purposes of learning and education is to prepare us for the outside world. While studying hard and getting good grades are important, we should also strive to acquire other skills in school. Take, for instance, communication skills. School provides ample opportunities for us to learn and improve on our communication skills. Simple actions such as stepping out of our comfort zone by answering a question or striking up a conversation with a fellow classmate could go a long way in building the foundations of good communication. 

The engineering industry is a place where teamwork is essential and is unavoidable. Building strong communication skills can greatly benefit students as they enter the workforce. It enables them to be able to discuss and voice out their opinions easily and ultimately improve teamwork as a whole. Therefore, communication skills are a crucial aspect of education for engineering students and should not be disregarded.