In AP Seminar, students don’t just write research papers, they learn how to communicate complex ideas to a real audience.

Now, for their mock IMP presentations, they’re taking their skills to a new level by creating a full argument-driven presentation based on weeks of research.

Their IMP presentations are based on a stimulus of joy where they will create a research question and present supporting ideas to find a solution or a conclusion. 

“It’s given them an opportunity to kind of expand outside of their box with the stimulus material and how it connects with their research question, and develop their own research,” AP Seminar teacher Ryan Houston said. “In the end we gave them an opportunity to stand up by themselves and give a 6-8 presentation on their research and what they found out about it.”

Students use articles, studies, and media sources to build their arguments, and create notecards that they will use to show their understanding of the issue.

“My research question is how consumerism affects the personal  joy and fulfillment of a person and we have to pick a side,” sophomore Aashmi Gangolli said. “We have to find a solution or a conclusion based on our research question and I think it’s helpful because it really shows us the sides of people and how they get their personal fulfillment, happiness, and joy from external things.”