Interdepartmental Research

Students will explore the research process and techniques in depth. Through a series of hands-on activities, they will learn how to collect, process, organize, analyze, and present data using Google Sheets, Slides, and other programs. These skills will then be incorporated into their group and individual projects. All students will present their work at the Annual Research Fair. Grading follows a specific rubric, which requires the timely production of several high-quality written products and oral presentations. Completion of a summer assignment is a requirement for this course.

Students interested in pursuing research after 9th grade should consider taking Chemistry 9H. This special program change for incoming ninth graders will provide students with deeper science backgrounds in biology and chemistry when looking for outside mentors to conduct their research projects in the summer between their 10th and 11th-grade years. The course requires a teacher recommendation. 

AP Capstone is an innovative diploma program from the College Board that equips students with the independent research, collaborative teamwork, and communication skills that are increasingly valued by colleges. 

• In AP Seminar (year 1), students investigate real-world issues through a cross-curricular lens, gathering and analyzing information from various sources in order to develop credible and valid evidence-based arguments. This course ends in an AP Exam. 

• In AP Research (year 2), students are allowed to deeply explore an academic topic, problem, issue, or idea of individual interest. Students design, plan, and implement a yearlong investigation to address a research question. Through this inquiry, they further the skills they acquired in the AP Seminar course by learning research methodology, employing ethical research practices, and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information. Students reflect on their skill development, document their processes, and curate the artifacts of their scholarly work through a process and reflection portfolio. The course culminates in an academic paper and a presentation with an oral defense. Pre-Requisite: AP Seminar

To learn more about the AP Capstone program and distinctions, please visit the College Board website. 

This is an advanced placement equivalent course. Tenth grade students will be expected to carry out rigorous library research as they begin the process of narrowing down their eventual research project. Sincere interest and independent effort will be required to find a mentor at a cooperating institution. Students and parents must understand that satisfactory completion of the program will require work at a cooperating laboratory during the sophomore and junior summers. Participation in several competitions is required in 11th and 12th grade. Seniors must submit a journal-level paper by the first week of October in their senior year. As with the Foundations in Research course, grading follows a specific rubric which requires timely production of several high quality written products and oral presentations. Completion of a summer assignment is a requirement for this course. All students are required to participate at the Annual Research Symposium. Satisfactory completion of the 11th and 12th grade College Research program allows students the opportunity to register for up to 12 credits being granted by the University at Albany (SUNY). Please visit the University at Albany website for more information about the credit possibilities.