World Engagements

I am looking to obtain my pilot’s license to become a pilot. Lately, we have seen a rise in close calls and actual crashes. The question becomes, Is it safe to fly? Since I am from the Chicago area, the close call at Chicago Midway Airport increased my curiosity. Serious accidents have occurred in the United States, including a midair collision in Washington, D.C. The U.S. is not alone with crashes. In December 2024, there were accidents involving Jeju Air and Azerbaijan Airlines. We even learned of the door panel breaking open in a Boeing plane in Japan. 

As of April 2025, airplane travel continues to be one of the safest, even with the high-profile aircraft incidents. Of course, this has raised concerns with people. These events are devastating to all involved. However, they are rare and do not contribute to declining air safety. Taking emotions out of it, we can look at the data. Statistical data support continued safety for air transportation. In 2023, there was one accident per 1.29 million flights. Additionally, the overall number of aviation incidents in 2025 remains consistent with previous years, despite increased media coverage.

Since I have been taking flight lessons, I am aware of the safety protocol that comes with being a pilot. The Federal Aviation Administration has regulations that prioritize safety. Since there have been quite a few incidents in the news, the FAA has added steps to the safety practices. Added improvement includes how operators are licensed. 

While my plan is to continue to pursue my pilot’s license, I can understand others’ concerns about air safety. I am reassured that the industry will continue to improve safety regulations.  

The emergence of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) rights has led to significant changes in the world of sports. Since 2019, college athletes have been allowed to profit from NIL. The question then was, “Why not start this for high school athletes as well?”

States in the US are working with lawmakers to pass bills allowing high school athletes to earn money. High school athletes who are showing talent and star potential are now receiving the benefits of NIL. This has begun the discussion of what this development means for athletes, their families, and the framework of sports.

NIL benefits athletes of all ages. One top one is the added income, which can help with family costs. This includes costs for training, equipment, and continued education. Social media also plays a part in this. Athletes have the opportunity to showcase their “brand” and open up doors to the business world.

The prospect of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) income is appealing but also brings new challenges. High school athletes are now competing not only for scholarships and championships but also for marketability. Many may feel the pressure to manage their online presence, increase their social media following, and develop a polished brand image—all while juggling schoolwork, training, and competitions.

Students who are also athletes already are juggling challenges, add NIL, and the pressure could take a toll on a personal level. The risk of burnout and the overwhelming nature of the business side of sports are significant concerns. Families need a support system that they trust to understand the pressure on the athlete both during competition and personally.

NIL for high school athletes could affect the college recruiting process. Those who already have popularity with their NIL will have more bargaining power with different universities. With high school students earning money through their sports, the students will no longer desire an education. The possibility of additional income and fame through an NIL could create conflict among athletes and families and take away from the value of high school sports. 

The introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights in high school sports marks a significant change. This year, high school athletes can earn income from their athletic ability, which could greatly improve many lives. However, there is always a risk of new challenges. 

Families, coaches, and schools need to work together to guarantee that the athlete is empowered instead of exploited. I hope that there is an agreement among lawmakers to balance athletes’ entrepreneurial selves while upholding the integrity of high school sports.

The effects of NIL on high school athletes are still developing. All involved are responsible for ensuring that this change benefits everyone.

With all these challenges, how do teachers engage students in learning? 

Opening a textbook or a link to study a concept can be tedious. Studies have shown that students learn differently. Bringing real life into the classroom boosts students’ interest. This teaching method also demonstrates how students will use skills in their lives. Authentic learning involves students being more hands-on. Students and teachers bring their experiences into the classroom and connect them to learning. Learning about students’ experiences also allows the teacher to understand the student’s culture and background.

Understanding the student starts on day one. Teachers interact with and observe their students, learning how they learn, what interests them, and how they react to different types of teaching. Meeting with parents is another layer to authentic learning. Parents can bring in additional information on what makes their child tick. My parents would have included sports as one of my interests. 

A teacher in Philadelphia uses the statistics of Eagles player Saquon Barkley to promote math to her students. She incorporates the game’s results into her lessons. The article noted that students watch football highlights during math class. Students are learning more than math. Life skills incorporated into the lessons. They participate in perseverance—the trait to continue something even when it gets complicated. 

When I think of my educational experiences, I am more excited about attending class when the teacher has created a fun and engaging learning environment. I look forward to the class and the assignments. The hope for authentic teaching is that students have a more meaningful educational experience and pave the way for future success.

A brawl erupts during a basketball game between Virginia Commonwealth University and Saint Louis on Tuesday, January 28th, 2025. It was witnessed and noted during a game at the Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, where a fight broke out behind the bench of the Virginia Rams. The fight was between fans. At the time of the battle, St Louis was ahead 69-63. It is unclear what caused the physical aggression, but St. Louis was winning. 

This example of violence got me thinking: Has violence at sporting events increased? In my research, aggression has increased since 2020. A survey in 2023 was sent to 3,200 fans, resulting in 39.2% of responses having witnessed violence (Bisson, 2023). Another troubling statistic was that 7.2 % of football fans had been affected by a crime in or near the event. The data collected resulted in approximately 1.3 million spectators experiencing an unlawful act while attending a game (Bisson, 2023). Reviewing this data collection, an additional question came to mind…. Are sporting events unsafe for spectators? 

Sports bring fans together to celebrate their teams and the competition. However, recent reports in the news raise safety concerns with aggressive, unsafe behaviors. Significant sporting events have enormous amounts of pressure to keep the fans safe. While attending the Olympics in Paris, security was tight. There were times when roads that had been open were then closed. The police monitored fans and areas where they could enter and exit the stadium. While it could be frustrating to leave and find out that way was unavailable, fans were accommodating, understanding that this was for our safety.

We have the Super Bowl coming up in February. Currently, there is a boycott of the game, accusing the NFL of favoriting the Kansas City Chiefs. I am sure there are plans to ensure the safety of others in case of demonstrations. Additional protocols include implementing crowd control measures, such as clear signage, adequate security, and capacity limits.

What can be done to decrease the desire to argue or fight? Enlist severe consequences for fighting. There could be fines or loss of privilege to attend life games. A surprising strategy that I witnessed was no alcohol served at the Olympics. Alcohol is a big money maker for sporting events; however, the consumption of alcohol can alter a person’s judgment. These drastic measures are necessary for the safety of attendees and to lower the risk of lawsuits to arena owners. 

References

Bisson, J. (2023, September 19). Ranking the most dangerous NFL stadiums. Sportsbook Review. https://www.sportsbookreview.com/news/most-dangerous-nfl-stadiums/

We have all heard about Artificial Intelligence, AI. Is it safe for us to use? In January 2025, China released a new artificial intelligence, DeepSeek R1. The release comes from the Chinese tech company Alibaba. The company claims that this model surpasses what American companies have unveiled.

While any AI apps can be viewed as dangerous, we in the US worry more about apps provided by China. There can be a risk due to privacy laws in China. Data can be collected from the user’s interest and voice commands. When we log in from different devices more data is obtained. The app will track your device ID as well as your personal ID.

Chinese privacy laws differ from those in the United States. There is an agreement in China that companies will collaborate and assist with Chinese intelligence. This could result in data being held for the Chinese government’s use. This is different in the US, where an agency would require court approval to access data technology companies have obtained.

DeepSeek openly states that it is collecting your data. They are not keeping this a secret. It will be maintained and delivered to China. The app is not the issue; how the data is collected, what data is collected and stored, and who has authority over this data are the problems.

AI apps are attractive. They draw us in innocently without much thought to the consequences of what happens to your data. Deepseek claims to be able not only ansewr complex math problems it can but also provide reasoning with each step. This app is like a teacher in your pocket. While all of this is tempting to use. Personas can be created based on an individual’s likes and dislikes. There is the possibility of being falsely influenced.

As with all apps, check the privacy and do not share sensitive information or photos. Think before you download.