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

Perspectives about challenges in the 21st century

La semana pasada los estudiantes del AP Seminar de 10° realizaron de manera exitosa sus Team Multimedia Presentations, sobre temas nacionales, regionales y globales para comprender las perspectivas sobre los desafíos del siglo XXI. En estas presentaciones formularon preguntas de investigación en equipos, produjeron informes de investigación individuales sobre sus temas y trabajaron juntos para preparar y entregar las siguientes presentaciones multimedia.

Perspectives about challenges in the 21st century

Sustainable Peace: A Holistic Insight into the Future of Colombia

Sebastián Cárdenas, María José Sabogal, and Santiago Vallejo

Five teams did research about challenges in different parts of the world:

Quality Higher Education

Camilo Becerra, Mariana Castillo, and Isabela Neyva

Terrorism in Afghanistan: Internal and External Causes

Juan Camilo Díez, Samantha Gómez, and Daniela Silva

One team did research about challenges in Latin America:

Tracing Patterns: Development in Latin America

Daniel Hernández, Isabella Ramírez, and Daniela Solano