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Leon High’s AP Capstone teachers propose district-wide research symposium for Capstone students
Summary
AP Capstone teachers and a student told the school board about the AP Seminar and AP Research sequence and asked the district to consider a district-wide symposium where students could present mentored research with university partners.
At the May 13 Leon County School Board meeting, Leon High School AP Capstone staff and a student described the AP Capstone diploma and asked the district to consider creating an interdisciplinary research symposium for Capstone students across the district.
Sarah Marquez, an AP Capstone teacher at Leon High School, explained that the AP Capstone diploma requires two core courses — AP Seminar and AP Research — plus passing four additional AP exams. Marquez said AP Seminar teaches students how to find credible research, write an academic research paper and present professionally; AP Research requires students to undertake a year-long, Institutional Review Board–approved research project and produce a 4,000-word paper and oral defense.
Marquez introduced junior Zoe Shoplock, who said she had worked more than 300 hours in a lab at Florida State University and expects to be published in an international journal this summer for research on genetics. “Being there has allowed me to understand what I want to do when I’m older,” Zoe said.
Marquez and Zoe asked the board to consider an interdisciplinary research symposium where Capstone students districtwide could present original research to a broader community and invite local universities to mentor and judge projects. Board members expressed immediate support; one member said, “Sign me up to help with that,” and the superintendent’s office agreed to follow up (staff member named in meeting to follow up was Mr. Cypher).
Board members noted the district’s proximity to multiple institutions of higher education and encouraged staff to put the district office in contact with university partners. During the discussion a board member also raised a funding concern: legislative proposals to cut funding for AP and IB programs were mentioned as a risk to programs like Capstone.
The board did not take formal action on the proposal but directed staff to follow up, with Superintendent’s staff identified to coordinate next steps and to include board members in planning and outreach to universities.
