Independent Study and Mentorship students are trading the library for the National Soccer Hall of Fame as they leave The Nest for their Frisco ISD ISM Showcase from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.
“The ISM showcase is an event where ISM students from all FISD schools get a chance to explain/show the research that they have been doing for an entire semester,” junior Prashubha Kamble said. “Friends, family and professionals from various fields get to come and learn about different topics that the students have been researching.”
The event draws many parallels to the ISM gallery walk hosted in the Redhawk library almost two weeks ago. But this time, students will be presenting to a much larger audience.
“So, [the showcase is] similar to gallery walk because we have to present our research and showcase our thinking skills,” junior Mahi Kosuri said. “But, the stakes are higher because we are answering questions [from]… professional[s] and others in the field.
In ISM teacher Courtney Benson’s eyes, the gallery walk instead serves as a dry run for the real deal – the showcase.
“Well, the gallery walk is on campus and just shows the Liberty students, but it helps them practice for showcase and the questions they might get from other individuals,” Benson said. “Half the Frisco schools are [at showcase] – so half are doing it [Tuesday night], and half are doing it [tonight] – so they have more people there, more exposure to professionals, and other people across the district.”
For Kosuri, the showcase is a chance to exchange ideas and learn from peers across the district.
“At showcase, I would set up my board and present the entire time to adults and professionals who come to visit,” Kosuri said. “[I think it’s beneficial] because it helps to gain ideas from others and learn from one [another]. ”
But, in Kamble’s perspective, the showcase isn’t just an opportunity that benefits ISM students; it’s also one that benefits the wider community.
“Our original work and final product [are] tailored in a way where it helps or benefits the community,” Kamble said. “[The showcase] will help educate the public about problems or solutions in different fields and it will allow our audience to make informed choices. ”
For Benson, however, the ultimate goal of showcase boils down to one thing:
“[I hope that students walk away]…proud of the research that they’ve done and the hard work that they’ve done, but then also… [they’re] able to see other students’ work and learn from them as well,” Benson said.
