AT RESEARCH AND CATALYST

AT Research and Catalyst allows students to deeply explore an academic topic, problem, or issue of individual interest. For example, students can dig deeper into a topic studied in an AP or AT course, work across academic areas on an interdisciplinary topic or study a new discipline of interest, perhaps one a student would like to study in college. The course begins with students developing a greater sense of self by generating a learning profile, a SMART goal, and a project framework.

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As they explore their interests, students design, plan, and conduct qualitative and/or quantitative research and choose a methodology to address a potential research question. Ultimately, students hone in on a driving question and work on an independent research project. Students utilize the desired student learning outcomes (DSLOs) as they document their processes and curate their scholarly work in a portfolio.

 

In addition, students will be​ guided to operationalize their personal networks in order to establish mentorships and other forms of experiential network–based learning (collaborative research studies, internships, etc.) The course culminates in an academic paper of approximately 5,000 words and presentation of their Research and Catalyst Project.

 

This course has fully adopted the AP Research curriculum, and therefore, students will be eligible to take the AP Research exam in preparation for earning the AP Capstone Diploma. The AT designation indicates a course is at university level, putting it at or above the level of a traditional AP course. The course requires rigorous study and emphasizes in-depth research. Like an AP course, this course has a grade point weighting of 0.5 for the duration of the course.