Un quinquenio de investigación con AP Capstone

El 6 de junio celebramos el V aniversario del Programa AP Capstone en la biblioteca con nuestros estudiantes de los cursos de AP Research y AP Seminar, sus profesores y bibliotecarios que estuvieron apoyándolos para desarrollar sus investigaciones.

En agosto de 2019, el CLN, Tammy Dobrzynski, profesora de Semestralizado y algunos estudiantes se embarcaron en un ambicioso proyecto, con la visión de crear una cultura de indagación, investigación y excelencia académica. El primer año del programa fue desafiante porque el College Board hizo ajustes en medio de la pandemia global de COVID-19, pero durante estos cinco años, se ha logrado avanzar y fortalecer en este programa. 

El Programa AP Capstone, está diseñado para equipar a los estudiantes con habilidades de investigación independiente, trabajo en equipo y comunicación efectiva. Con dos cursos fundamentales: AP Seminar y AP Research. A través de estos cursos, los estudiantes se comprometen con un aprendizaje académico riguroso e interdisciplinario, perfeccionando su capacidad para analizar problemas desde múltiples perspectivas, desarrollar argumentos basados en evidencia y presentar hallazgos con claridad y confianza.

En estos cinco años, el Colegio, los profesores y estudiantes han sido testigos de proyectos de investigación notables que abarcan campos diversos como la ciencia, la tecnología, las humanidades y las ciencias sociales. Han abordado problemas globales complejos, desde la sostenibilidad ambiental hasta la justicia social, demostrando no sólo destreza académica, sino también un profundo compromiso con causar un impacto positivo en el mundo.

Durante este tiempo, van 108 estudiantes en AP Seminar y 38 en AP Research. El College Board ha otorgado a los estudiantes de Nogales 13 certificados AP Capstone y 16 diplomas AP Capstone. Estas credenciales son reconocidas por universidades internacionales y abren puertas a oportunidades de investigación a nivel de pregrado. Es importante destacar dos logros: Valeria Junguito Mejía, exalumna del CLN y actual estudiante en la Universidad de Pensilvania. El trabajo de investigación de Valeria en AP Research recibió una calificación perfecta por parte del College Board y fue publicado en el Journal of Student Research en 2023. Este año también celebramos el trabajo y los logros del grupo de estudiantes de AP Research: Martín Amaya, Alejandra González, Valeria Jiménez, Antonio Llano, María Margarita Molina, Santiago Pailhé y Nicolás Simoes. 

El éxito del Programa AP Capstone en el Colegio Los Nogales es un testimonio del trabajo y la dedicación de muchas personas. En primer lugar, los estudiantes que demuestran pasión por aprender, tener curiosidad y están en constante búsqueda de la excelencia; y a los profesores, directivos y bibliotecarios, que con su orientación, apoyo y aliento, acompañan a los estudiantes inspirándolos a superar los límites del conocimiento, a pensar críticamente y a comunicarse de manera efectiva. Su dedicación para fomentar un entorno de curiosidad intelectual y rigor académico ha sido fundamental en la formación de los estudiantes investigadores que celebramos hoy. 

Les presentamos los trabajos de este año de los estudiantes de los cursos de AP Research y AP Seminar.

AP Research: Perspectives about global challenges

Students in AP Research were able to delve deeper into personal areas of interest and develop research skills that led them to writing a final paper of 4000 to 5000 words and to giving a final presentation and thesis defense. Though students worked independently on their projects, they had plenty of opportunity to work with their peers in order to give constructive feedback. Students also worked closely with their expert advisor who further guided them along the way. This course continues to highlight the wide variety of interest that we cultivate here at Nogales. Students carried out final research projects in the following fields: film analysis, economics, psychology, science, and in art and music. It is a great privilege to be a part of this thriving research-driven community and we are proud to share our final presentations.

AP Seminar: Perspectives about global challenges

This year in AP Seminar, students worked on research projects about a challenging theme: courage, change, and impact. We started the process by reading stimulus sources about courage, fear, and social change to make thematic and interdisciplinary connections before coming up with research questions that were open, researchable, and debatable. Students worked individually on the research process to grow as independent and self-directed researchers. The project involved using databases to find sources, reading critically, writing an evidence-based argument, and presenting information orally in formal academic presentations. We are delighted to share presentations about issues in different fields such as sports, psychology, history, philosophy, science, and education. The projects represent individual reflections of how humans experience courage and fear when facing challenges, advocating for change, and making an impact.     

Global challenges from different perspectives 2024

This year in AP Seminar students explored the UN Sustainable Development Goals and did research about different global challenges of their choice to develop critical thinking and research skills. The projects started with research questions and selection of academic sources in databases such as JSTOR, Gale, and EBSCO. Students worked in groups to do research about their topics through multiple-lens analysis and collaboration to produce individual research reports that analyze the challenges and team multimedia presentations to propose holistic solutions. 

These are some comments from AP Seminar students and a special guest:

“Presenting a months’ worth of work in just ten minutes gave me feelings of relief and nostalgia. My group feels pride for what we were able to achieve together. I can’t believe it’s over.” María Paula B, 10° student.

“I had never been so nervous in my life. I thought I wasn’t capable, but with my group’s support everything went well. I’m extremely grateful for such a great superstar group”. Juan José R, 10° student.

“I had the opportunity to listen to a few presentations and I was floored by the depth of the students’ research and most significantly by their public speaking abilities. Their research questions, the different perspectives covered, and the structured and persuasive delivery all made for a fantastic academic experience. Congratulations!” Marcela Junguito, Deputy Head of School.

Perspectives about global challenges

Inequality and Armed Conflict in Colombia

María P., Gabriella C., and Sara S.

Beyond the Virus Reforms in the Pharmaceutical and Medical Industries after Covid 19

María Pía A., Emilia H., and Ernesto S.

Perspectives about global challenges

Ap Seminar students investigated global challenges from different perspectives to produce individual research reports and team multimedia presentations. One group decided to investigate the War of Drugs in Colombia and the United States to consider the historical, political, social and economic impacts. Another group decided to study microfinance as a solution from economic, ethical and futuristic perspectives to address social and economic inequality. The other two groups focused their research on sustainability challenges: energy consumption in the automotive industry in the United States and sustainable cities around the world. The first group considered different technologies, policies, financial trade-offs and options for storing car data. The other group investigated social, economic and environmental issues by evaluating Smart cities, mixed-use development and social participation in urban planning. Student work shows high levels of engagement and commitment to research as a tool for understanding complex issues that affect individuals and communities.

Tammy Dobrzynski, AP Seminar Global Perspectives Teacher.

Perspectives about global challenges

Tackling Inequality Through Microfinance

Alejandra González, Samuel Godoy, and Valeria Jiménez

Sustainables Cities

Jerónimo Cuartas, Paulina Espinosa, and Nicolás Simoes