While many students here lean toward taking the STEM-oriented AP classes and tests, many lesser known humanities-focused APs hold value as well. A great example of this are two classes not offered here: AP Seminar and AP Research, which are subsidiaries of the AP Capstone Program.
AP Seminar and AP Research are both year-long classes that fall under the AP Capstone Program. AP Seminar is a prerequisite to AP Research. It teaches students how to conduct college-level research and presentation skills instead of focusing on in-depth understanding of a single topic like economics or chemistry.
The AP Seminar exam offers an unusual experience compared to other AP exams, and it is directly tied to the coursework that students must complete. Over half of the exam weight consists of two performance projects that students work on throughout the AP Seminar year-long course.
The first performance task is a team project, where students research a common topic or theme to present a cohesive argument, while the second task consists of a 2,000-word individual written argument and an oral defense which consists of a report and a Q&A session and a presentation based on a research topic or question of the student’s choice. Both of these projects are uploaded to the portfolio before the AP exam, which are graded for context and brevity.
Once students have completed AP Seminar, they can choose to continue in the Capstone program by taking AP Research. The year-long course mostly consists of writing a 4,000- to 5,000-word research paper, which is submitted to the AP Digital Portfolio before the AP exam.
AP Research and Seminar hones students’ research skills and allows them to research topics they might be interested in. The course also allows students to display their ability to write college level research papers.
These research skills are universally applicable across many majors in college, providing students with the ability to analyze and present information effectively — a skill important in both academic and professional settings.
Moreover, the AP Capstone Program offers a diploma upon completing the course and four other APs, something completely different from other AP courses offered by College Board. Another reason the AP Capstone program should be offered at SHS is because the AP test is not like traditional paper-pen tests. Unlike other AP tests, AP Research and Seminar are portfolio based, meaning that it is a cumulative work students have done over the course of a school year. This means that students can go at their own pace when preparing for the exam, reducing stress, while still meeting AP credits.
This program has great potential to fit well with the school’s existing Media Arts Program as well, since the curriculum includes elements of multimedia and writing. The AP Capstone program and its two courses, AP Research and AP Seminar, offer vital skills for upcoming college students, while giving a pleasurable experience in terms of workload and a unique, enjoyable testing experience. The program is innovative and flexible, with teachers of all fields and backgrounds being able to teach it.
The multitude of benefits that the program provides make it a valuable addition for many, and the school board should definitely consider it as an option in the future. Many schools that do offer this program are indeed flourishing, with many students being well prepared for the college life ahead.
