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