Student Independent Research Symposium 2023

Welcome to the Virtual Symposium!

Students at six BCPS high schools were selected to participate in the Independent Research Seminar elective course this year, based on their commitment to following an advanced research process to conduct in-depth year-long research. During the school year, student researchers worked collaboratively and independently, with learning facilitated by their library media specialists, faculty advisors, and expert mentors. Using the process and resources in our Research Framework, students were guided to explore an issue or problem, generate a research question, conduct a literature review, write a research proposal, and create a presentation of their conclusions for an audience. Research topics address a variety of subjects and are based on the students' own areas of interest. Students have recorded their presentations to share with the BCPS community and beyond in this Virtual Symposium format.

BCPS high school administrators, counselors, and library media specialists interested in offering the Independent Research Seminar to students will find course implementation resources here.

Abstracts & Presentations

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Catonsville High School
Angenine Goode, Library Media Specialist
Natalie Morris
Stephanie Todd

Eastern Technical High School
Erin Annis, Library Media Specialist
Timmy Chang
Nathaniel Corey
Russell Dobry
Noah Duncan
Maja Durkovic
Amy Heinz
Breyonna Jordan
Gabe Mwangi
Alexis Prisco
Ronit Shah
Yaena Shin

Eastern Technical High School continued
Sabrina Thaler
Henry Vo
Zahra Wibisana

Franklin High School
Christie Rigilano, Library Media Specialist
Patricia Alegria
Adam Komenski
Praise Korie
Janey Lutz
Kierra Richardson
Clarke Roberson

Hereford High School
Jennifer Houseknecht, Library Media Specialist
Gwyneth Ellis

Abstracts & Presentations

Parkville High School
Melyssa Kenney, Library Media Specialist
India-Marie Stokes

Western School of Technology
Tracey Osborne, Library Media Specialist
Ayodele Ayoola
Olivia Calvert
Anjali Joshi
Mubtasim Kaoshar
Evelyn Sangree
Imani Ward

Teacher Testimonials
Acknowledgements

Natalie Morris

Junior, Catonsville High School

Comments

How do artists use concept albums to tell stories and communicate universal themes?

Abstract

Storytelling is not a simple art, it requires intense labor and attention to detail. When we think of storytelling, we often think of movies or books, not often music. However, artists utilize the concept album, an album with a central theme or narrative, to do the same thing. The purpose of my research is to examine culturally significant concept albums and their impact on society, as well as the evolution of concept albums over time. However, I also aim to expand upon the existing research and dive into modern concept albums along with how they differ from those of the past. Concept albums can be useful tools in understanding human experiences, helping us move towards a more accepting world.

Stephanie Todd

Senior, Catonsville High School

Comments

How do video games affect the brain
and how can we use this to our advantage?

Abstract

Video Games have been a relatively new and popular medium for entertainment, however research related to video games in the context of neuroscience has only picked up speed in the past decade. While this research has led to many different kinds of findings, the general consensus on what causes certain video games to use specific sections of the brain associated with special cognitive skills has been uncertain. From several studies however, the relationships between the findings and the relation to video game genre and quality of play has been correlational to the skills that they effect. Evidence of how video games positively affect the brain has been plentiful in many studies, from increases in gray matter in the hippocampus, to the stimulation of specific visual processing tasks. The question of how we can apply this knowledge to the real world for academic and medical purposes has only been discussed as possibilities and changes for the far future. However, from my research I think that the base level of knowledge we have about the interactions between video games and our minds is enough to be able to implement this activity towards medical and educational purposes. Due to an increase in gray matter and the training of specific skills between different types of games, we can use these games to encourage recreational learning to help treat and prevent neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer's and introduce a way to train cognitive skills in a casual environment for all ages.

Timmy Chang

Junior, Eastern Technical High School

Comments

Dentally Determined

Abstract

Teeth, teeth, teeth. The purpose of this creative research project is to spread awareness about the importance of oral health. The topic of dental hygiene is an overlooked issue worldwide, which is disheartening to see and hear, due to the tremendous impact that poor oral health can have on the physical, emotional, and mental body of a human being. This project brings to light the vast array of troubles, in hopes of also aiding the impoverished communities that do not have access to oral health care.