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

MAP vs. Machine: For this interdisciplinary event focused on artificial intelligence, MAP 12 researched and discussed the merits of and pitfalls of AI use in creative, professional, and governmental spaces. As panelists and moderators, MAP 12 tackled pressing questions and gave 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 competed 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 spent a month developing business concepts and preparing presentations for their own rendition of Shark Tank. Students researched potential competition and manufacturing options, crunched financial numbers, and devised a marketing plan. Finally, they filmed an advertisement to launch their product. On the big day, they made their pitches to several Silicon Valley executives, who asked tough questions and then decided whether or not they would invest. 

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