AP Seminar & AP Research

[Anonymous]

DD is interested at these classes?

AP Seminar is offered for 10-12th graders
AP Research is offered to 11th-12th graders

How have your kids liked the classes? Were they challenging and worthwhile to take?

[Anonymous]

Good skills based courses...

[Anonymous]

How challenging is the class and its AP exam?

[Anonymous]

We're in FCPS and I am amazed at what DC is learning.

AP Seminar in 11th.
For the first half of the year, they worked in a Team of 4 students.
Learned to identify a problem, do research, and look at an issue from different lenses.
1st quarter, they worked on one problem, and did a presentation. This was the "practice run."
2nd quarter, they worked on another problem by doing the same procedures. Did a presentation which was recorded and submitted to the college board as part of their portfolio.

The kids also had to assess how well they worked in a team. This was amazing to see. Since they were rehearsing their presentations virtually (late at night!), it was fun to see how DC interacted. It was such a supportive group and they were all open to each other's feedback.

The second half of the year, it was individual projects.
3rd quarter, same procedure but you worked alone on your own topic, and then had others critique your work. Did the practice presentation at the end.
4th quarter, same procedure, individual presentation at the end which was recorded and submitted to the college board.

DC made an A in the class and a 4 on AP exam (which was a combination of the year's portfolio and a 3-hour test)

AP Seminar in 12th.
Individual projects with one topic which will be the focus for the entire year.
1st quarter- identify interests, do research, formulating the research question, go through internal review
2nd quarter- further research, develop method for data collection
3rd quarter- collect data, analyze
4th quarter- write complete paper, defend presentation in front of a board.

DC loves this program. What DC is doing in 12th grade is very similar to what I did in college.
DC says class isn't hard, but it's a lot of work. DC has 5 other AP classes and this one is the most time-consuming.

I'd say of all DC's classes, THIS is the one that best prepares for college and future work.
I'd recommend hold out till 11th and 12th grade for the sequence.
Less than half of the ones who took AP Seminar went to AP research. Takes maturity, perseverance, and genuine interest to really make the most of this program.

The great thing is that DC will have a tangible product after this year-long class: a completed research paper.
Some kids go on and try to get their papers published.

[Anonymous]

AP Seminar is mandatory for global ecology kids in poolesville and they take it in 9th. Most kids do not like as it is very research oriented and you don't get to write your opinions but you have to only use facts that are from papers. My DD liked the class a lot. She got to work on several projects throughout the year and research some very interesting topics (autonomous vehicles for example). She also had several presentations she had to give and 1 as part of the AP grading. Since they just started high school and AP is a rather demanding class, it was a bit stressful, but if taking this in 10th or 11th, I would imagine it will be easier. My DD liked it so much she want to do the AP research in 12th.

[Anonymous]

Would you recommend it for STEM majors? DS between considering the Seminar/Research combo for 11th/12th grade or taking rigorous STEM classes.

[Anonymous]

I encouraged my stem loving dd to take it specifically to improve her writing skills. She actually likes the class but does have a handful of kids in her group that need more English/grammar help than can be provided.