AP Capstone

AP CAPSTONE

AP Seminar is open to juniors who are interested in the program without imposing any entrance prerequisites for enrollment. AP Seminar is a foundational course that aims to equip students with the power to analyze and evaluate information with accuracy and precision in order to craft and communicate evidence-based arguments. In addition, the course focuses upon relevant and contemporary, global issues that increase students’ awareness and develop their perceptions of their world. Using an inquiry framework of questioning, understanding, evaluating, synthesizing, and transforming, students practice reading and analyzing articles, research studies, and foundational literary and philosophical texts; listening to and viewing speeches, broadcasts, and personal accounts; experiencing artistic works and performances; conducting research and evaluating evidence; constructing and supporting arguments; and collaborating and communicating. Teachers, together with students, have the flexibility to select issues and themes for deep and extended exploration. Sample topics of exploration for the year include, but are not limited to, education, innovation, justice, revolution, sustainability, and technology. Student learning is evaluated in a number of ways, including the following three required assessments: a collaborative team project and presentation, an individual research-based essay and presentation, and an end-of-course examination. The assessments are summative and will be used to calculate a final AP Score (using the 1-5 scale) for AP Seminar.

Questions about AP Seminar? Please contact Please contact Emily LaTourrette elatourrette@tamdistrict.org or Tom Sivertsen tsivertsen@tamdistrict.org

The College Board’s AP Seminar web site also has a wide range of information about the course for students and parents athttps://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-seminar

AP Research is open to students who have successfully completed AP Seminar in their Junior year. What makes this course interesting? During the year, you will be exposed to a myriad of research methods used in different fields and adapt those that will benefit your own research project. In the course you will design, plan, and conduct a year-long, research-based investigation to address a research question of interest to you. It provides the opportunity to learn and apply research methods and practices in a field that addresses a real-world topic of your choosing. While working with an expert advisor, you can explore an academic topic, problem, or issue that interests you and design, plan, and conduct a year-long research-based investigation to address it. The class is designed to be broken in three major parts. The first section is centered in choosing the topic and specific research project. In the second section you engage in the different activities associated with answering the question chosen as your research project and work towards the presentation of your investigation, results and conclusions from your research. In the last section the course culminates not in an Exam, but rather in the delivery of an academic paper of 4,000-5,000 words and a presentation, with an oral defense, during which you will answer 3-4 questions from a panel of evaluators.

Questions about AP Research? Please contact Emily LaTourrette elatourrette@tamdistrict.org or Ernesto Diaz ediaz@tamdistrict.org .

The College Board’s AP Research web site also has a wide range of information about the course for students and parents athttps://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-research

Links to specific pages for current course work