Writing a research paper in nine months is a tough task in itself, but when you add the stress of a global pandemic and the challenge of distance learning, it seems nearly impossible to most. However, 10 Liberty seniors have graciously accepted this task.
AP research students or “researchers” as Mrs. Hatlen, the awesome (according to student Carston Little) teacher of both AP Seminar and AP Research, calls them, are tasked with exploring an academic topic of their choosing. Through this exploration, they design and conduct a year-long investigation to answer a research question that addresses their chosen gap in knowledge. To answer their questions, many of these students are using surveys or data analysis as their method. During this process, they are able to contact teachers or professors to become their advisors. These advisors are able to suggest changes to their papers and recommend resources for them to look at in aid of their research.
With all the work that needs to be done in order to answer these questions and conduct their research, most students admit that it can be a difficult class at times, especially since they are unable to receive in person instruction; a challenge many of us face as Liberty continues with distance learning. The biggest obstacles distance learning has created for these researchers is a harder time communicating, whether that be with their subjects, advisors, or their fellow researchers. Even with these new and existing challenges, all researchers love the class.
“I have been able to alter my focuses and approaches to research so much to fit my vision for my project,” said Becca Tse. “I think it’s cool to have so much control over what I’m doing this year. I would 110% recommend this class!”
Thanks to the freedom granted to the researchers in creating their investigations, they are able to explore vastly different topics from sci-fi movie tropes to English curriculum to the political ideology of California college students. Many students have even chosen Liberty or Contra Costa county to use as a case study for their research.This class has allowed the students to take a deeper look at our community and some of the issues within it. One researcher pointed out how when we think about problems in our society, we don't realize that they occur within our community, not just globally. Yes, there are problems that plague our global and national society, but there are things that happen on a local scale that we can look at and actually make changes about.
If you are thinking about taking AP Research or AP Seminar, the former class of the AP Capstone program (a diploma program from College Board) next year, go for it. Sophia Oretga, a researcher looking at a shift toward indigenization in Latine youth, exclaims, “It's a little rough but it's really fun and you learn a lot.”
Cover photo by Mariah Schafhausen.
About the writer:
Mariah Schafhausen is a staff writer for for The Lion's Roar. You can learn more information about her by clicking here.
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