Media Studies

The MAP Seniors wrap up their first semester in English with two units focused on thinking critically about the media: in “The Medium is the Message Unit,” students study competing arguments about the social impacts of various forms of mass media, and in the “Breaking News,” unit, they practice analyzing news stories for bias and fake news.

MAP vs. Machine

For this interdisciplinary event focused on artificial intelligence, MAP 12 research and discuss the merits of and pitfalls of AI use in creative, professional, and governmental spaces. As panelists and moderators, MAP 12 tackle pressing questions and give commentary on the limits and ethics of AI’s use and impact in education, the arts, government, and the economy. Throughout the day, MAP 12 also compete against AI in rap battles and design contests before eventually working with AI to try and create something new.

Shark Tank

Inspired by the show Shark Tank, MAP 12 spend a month developing business concepts and preparing presentations for their own rendition of Shark Tank. Students research potential competition and manufacturing options, crunch financial numbers, and devise a marketing plan. Finally, they film an advertisement to launch their product. On the big day, they make their pitches to several Silicon Valley executives, who ask tough questions and then decide whether or not they would invest. 

10 Second Film Festival

As a fun finale to the fall semester, MAP 12 students participate in a 10 second film festival. Each team was given a zany topic, and they then have 90 minutes to plan, film, and edit their 10 second film. The final ends with the screening of all of the films, and a vote to determine the crowd’s favorite.