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If you can dream it, you can Independent Study it.
If you can dream it, you can Independent Study it.
The Commitment:
5 hours/week
75 hours/semester
The Design:
YOU choose your topic.
YOU design the Website Portfolio.
YOU design the Projects and Activities.
YOU could choose to work with a TEAM (*email me for details hnewman@k12albemarle.org)
YOU focus your Research.
YOU showcase your Work.
The Goals:
You hone Professional Skills.
You build a Professional Portfolio of Work.
You work with a Mentor to develop your Expertise in the Field.
You research to further that Professionalism and Expertise in that Field.
You publish your Work online and showcase it at the ACPS Expo.
You Grow. Doing something you LOVE.
2024-2025 Independent Study Projects and Genius Projects at AHS
Infectious Diseases: Bradley Sawyer
*Also competing in the Piedmont Regional Science Fair
Repurposing FDA Approved Drugs: Vidya Ambati
*Vidya is a patent holder and has published multiple scholarly medical articles with UVA labs. Her work has also been honored by regional, state, and international science fairs including the prestigious Virginia Junior Academy of Science, The Virginia Piedmont Regional Science Fair, the Virginia State Science/Engineering Fair, and the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. She is a Davidson Fellow Laureate (1 of 4) and a Research Science Institute Scholar with MIT/Harvard.
The Doll Test: Psychology Research and the Intersection with Law: Sabrina Beamon
*Also a National History Day Competitor
Charlottesville Real Estate App and Data Analysis Project: Lincoln Thompson
*Presented research to the Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors CAAR
Woodworking: James Siadaty
*Also mentoring in an Engineering and Design Class
Architecture and Adobe Illustrator: Sophie Lynn
*Thanks to our Engineering and Design Teacher
Religious Philosophy Podcasts: Kaylee Lanning
Diplomacy and International Relations: Lydia Walters:
*member of the Young Diplomats and Economists discussion group
Conversational Spanish: Holland Uzzell
*also volunteering in Spanish classes
Macroeconomics and Global Policy: Claire Ke
*Also a National History Day mentor, judge, and member of the Young Economists Discussion Group
Learning Ancient Greek: Caroline Funk
Lighting Design: Thomas Lancaster
Comparative Politics and International Relations: Claire Rahilly
*also a member of the Young Diplomats/Economists Discussion Group
Rana Plaza Collapse: Carson Field
*1st place in Senior Exhibit Division, District 4 National History Day Competition, Carson also qualifies for the state level Virginia History Day
Atlanta’s Year of Boycotts/the Christmas Boycott: Nick Mozie
*3rd place in Senior Individual Paper, District 4 National History Day Competition, Carson also qualifies for the state level Virginia History Day
Rehabilitation Through Representation--Julian Sims
*1st place in Senior Individual Paper, District 4 National History Day Competition, Carson also qualifies for the state level Virginia History Day
The Waco Siege: Hasini Vedhere
*2nd place in the Senior Documentary Category, District 4 National History Day Competition, Carson also qualifies for the state level Virginia History Day
the My Lai Massacre--Alicia Fu
*1st place Senior Website Division, District 4 National History Day Competition, Carson also qualifies for the state level Virginia History Day
America Addicted: research on the Opioid Epidemic-- Anyi Hu
*3rd place Senior Exhibit Division, District 4 National History Day Competition, Carson also qualifies for the state level Virginia History Day
Jacobson v. Massachusetts and Vaccination in America: Avery Brandt
*2nd place in Senior Individual Paper, District 4 National History Day Competition, Carson also qualifies for the state level Virginia History Day
research on The Chinese Exclusion Act--Jacob Haubert
*3rd place Senior Website Division, District 4 National History Day Competition, Carson also qualifies for the state level Virginia History Day
Student Reviews of Independent Study
Student Reviews of Independent Study
What are the best parts of Independent Study? Talk about your specific project a little bit.
"The best part of Independent Study is exploring an area of interest in great depth. It is a unique opportunity to make discoveries outside the school curriculum in a topic that is of interest to you.
I’ve been working at a university research lab on molecular biology and neuroscience. My work is largely self-directed and research based. I enjoy setting my own pace and connecting with mentors for guidance.
There is a great emphasis on learning and expanding on new skills. I’ve also learned how to present my work to peers with varying amounts of knowledge on the subject."
Why should AHS students take Independent Study?
"Independent Study is a block where students can explore intellectual interests that are not necessarily presented in the school curriculum.
I encourage AHS students to take Independent Study because it is a fantastic opportunity to challenge themselves in self-directed growth or dive deep into a subject that they want to learn more about."
In what ways has Independent Study helped you grow?
"Independent Study has helped me grow in many ways. For instance, it has taught me how to better manage my time, hone my research skills, and communicate my work to a broad and mixed audience. My Independent Study project is research based and I have learned how to connect with labs and mentors at UVA and other institutions."
What are the best parts of Independent Study? Talk about your specific project a little bit.
The best parts of taking an independent study are being able to do your work on your own time and the flexibility of the topics you study. My independent study is on Architectural styles, design, and AutoCAD. I learned how to use the architectural AutoCAD program Revit to create projects. I also work on improving my drawing skills to prepare for college architectural drawing classes.
In what ways has Independent Study helped you grow?
Taking an independent study is a great way to study topics you wouldn't necessarily find in a class, while also getting credit for it. It's helped me grow by teaching me self reliance and by incorporating my own interests into schoolwork. I highly recommend taking an independent study to have a unique class experience you can make into your own.
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