Student Independent Research Symposium 2021

Welcome to the Virtual Symposium!

Students at seven 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 this unprecedented school year, student researchers have worked in remote or hybrid learning environments, both 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. Given current gathering restrictions, 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
Paulina Aler
Ivy Hammett-Aron
Kim Lek
Hazel Montgomery-Walsh
Nusrat Tusi
Bethlehem Wolde

Franklin High School
Christie Rigilano, Library Media Specialist
Max Harris
Syhirah Lewis

Hereford High School
Suhaila Tenly, Library Media Specialist
Annabella Gonzalez

Parkville High School
Melyssa Kenney, Library Media Specialist
Oscar McDonough

Perry Hall High School
Colleen Adams, Library Media Specialist
Andy Lu
Allison Morrow
Sydney-Ariel Muneses
Haris Muzaffar

Pikesville HIgh School
Jennifer Meltzer, Library Media Specialist
Olivia Clay

Western School of Technology
Tracey Osborne, Library Media Specialist
Chinwe Kalu
Kayla Wood

Teacher Testimonials Acknowledgements

Paulina Aler

Junior, Catonsville High School

Comments

The Environmental Impacts of Photographic Chemistry

Abstract

In recent years, the environment has become increasingly threatened. Climate change dictates new products and the push of sustainability. Throughout this time, analog photography has become increasingly popular although, now people are starting to speak out against the inherit harms. Many facets of these chemicals could be harmful but, is it really that bad? How can photographic chemicals become more environmentally friendly to prolong analog photography as an art form? To develop answers to this question the chemicals most prevalent will be identified then assessed. After that, possible environmental pushes will be explored to discover the friendliest options. Film photography is beautiful and tactile. An experience everyone should have. It hones to creative people in learning composition and tonal variants. And it hones to technical people in discovering how a camera works and being the primary pilot in shooting. Film photography is an art that preserves and has the possibility to be timeless. It is slightly expensive but, this slowly dying art can be prolonged past environmental barriers.

Ivy Hammett-Aron

Senior, Catonsville High School

Comments

Evolution of Corsets through the Nineteenth Century

Abstract

There is no symbol for bygone eras as powerful–or as divisive–as that of the corset. Structural garments like corsets were worn daily by women all over the western world since the 16th century, constantly evolving in their shape and style throughout the years. During the 19th century, this evolution became rapid and drastic, producing changes in the garments’ effects on women’s health that have not been extensively defined. My research focuses on how the changing shapes and styles of women’s corsets throughout the 19th century produced differing physical effects on the body, with the aim of informing reenactors and other women of the possible health effects of corsets. In order to complete this research, I will examine modern medical studies, contemporary fashion plates, and extant corsets, making connections between changing styles and the physical effects of pressure on different areas of the torso.

Kim Lek

Senior, Catonsville High School

Comments

Chanel: How can the influence of a person’s idea change the course of women’s fashion?

Abstract

Chanel is one of the world’s most desired luxury brands founded by Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel. Many brands have tried to imitate their branding strategies and designs, but none have come close to reaching their reputable and timeless brand. Exactly why does Chanel never go out of style? It’s been about 111 years since it was founded, yet it is still widely known. In my research, I will examine the role that passion plays in the emergence of Chanel, I will also explore how simplicity can ironically put a brand above others, and lastly, how innovative and perfect it was to launch Chanel during the 19th century. Analysis of Chanel’s success reveals that the ability to evolve without losing the brand’s essence is the key to establishing a reputable, timeless, and renowned brand.

Hazel Montgomery-Walsh

Senior, Catonsville High School

Comments

What are the interstices between climate change, ethics, and the displacement of people, and how can we address the casual relationship between them?

Abstract

Greta Thunberg, climate activist and inspiration, says plainly that “Our house is on fire”. As Bill Gates highlights in his book “How to Avoid a Climate Disaster”, current rates of climate change will cause a global climate catastrophe - one that is already striking the poorest, most low-lying regions of the world. The UN further acknowledges that as more individuals become internally displaced, further conflicts will arise as people face scarcities, and already-present forms of discrimination and inequality will be elevated. The problem of climate crisis is not limited to its scientific reality. The world’s heretofore inability to act points to an ethical impasse. The purpose of this investigation is to pair the reality of the science with the ethical issues on which spiritual leaders such as the Dalai Lama have spoken. It is to answer not only the question of what are the interstices of climate change, ethics, and the displacement of people—but also, what are the potential solutions to this crisis, and how can we act now? The Dalai Lama establishes that we must accept the notion of “universal responsibility”. The world requires a transition from other-ism—the labeling of others as different—to an understanding of together-ism. The solutions to the climate change crisis will manifest the world’s ability to quickly shift global perspectives in an effort to act now for all humans.

Nusrat Tusi

Senior, Catonsville High School

Comments

Modern Day Segregation: The Everlasting Effects of Discriminatory Public Policy

Abstract

Segregation is not a thing of the past. It consistently divides our neighborhoods day by day, while devastating communities of color by hindering generational success. But how could this be if segregation has been abolished? Even though discriminatory laws have been repealed, they have left everlasting effects on our society. They are so prominent that we have no choice but to recognize it, but, for all the wrong reasons; a blind eye is batted to the main culprit of modern-day segregation: our government. Both federal and state governments embraced discriminatory legislation in housing, land development, schools, and workforces. The laws were not only immoral, but candidly infringed upon African Americans’ human and constitutional rights. Such criminal offenses committed against communities by the government goes unaccounted for because we conformingly believe modern-day segregation is the product of discriminatory private practices or natural habitation preferences. Incorrect. Modern-day segregation is the immediate result of racially motivated legislation designed to create distinct racial boundaries within neighborhoods nationwide and prevent integration. Residential segregation inadvertently breeds a disruptive environment for black and brown success as it perpetuates discrimination within both schools and workplaces. These criminal devastations will continue to go unnoticed if we do not acknowledge that segregation is the product of public policy; the government is not only responsible for it but must work to alleviate the centuries of suffering it has caused on communities of color.

Bethlehem Wolde

Senior, Catonsville High School

Comments

Classrooms and Courtrooms: Black Students' Silent Suffering

Abstract

Black children are the disregarded victims of our white supremacy-based society and their suffrage is often ignored without question. Ranging from discrimination in our educational atmosphere to abuse at home, the neglect Black children experience in the most crucial settings of development can have devastating impacts on both their physical and mental health. In the United States alone, we can see this issue pervasively growing and evolving, as the line between public schools and prisons begins to blur at rampant rates and the number of Black youths being vented into prisons appears to rise every year. Through my research I have been able to further conduct in depth investigation to outline the ramifications of the school to prison pipeline on the Black community. I have found that the criminalization of Black students in United States Public schools increases the likelihood of incarceration into adulthood. This is due to the racial disparities of punishments given to Black students, a lack of academic support as opposed to their white peers, and the social-emotional and behavioral trauma of discriminatory punishments.

Max Harris

Senior, Franklin High School

Comments

Harnessing Solar Energy with a Solar-Satellite Constellation

Abstract

As the energy demands of the human race become exponentially larger, the problem of power generation is proportionally increasing. While current fossil fuel supplies may be adequate for our immediate energy needs, they soon will not suffice. This will remain true unless reliance on renewable energy increases dramatically in the coming decades. The largest of these renewable energy sources, solar radiation, still remains nearly untapped. A possible approach to drastically increase the efficiency with which Earth is able to harness solar energy is a solar-satellite constellation. Based loosely on the concept of a Dyson sphere or swarm, this collection of satellites would orbit the sun at close proximity, converting solar radiation into stores of electrical energy, and subsequently sending that energy back to Earth. This research is a proposal for an initial mission aimed at the start of the aforementioned solar-satellite constellation. The overall mission objective will be to establish an efficient and financially viable approach to enter a close proximity circular solar orbit. This mission would not be aimed at designing the final energy collection or distribution system, nor would the method of manufacturing the final satellite-nodes be determined for the purpose of this preliminary mission. This research is focused on overviewing three possible orbital tours for the purposes of this and future solar missions. These three methodologies will be briefly discussed, and their overall operability and sustainability will be analyzed. In addition, possible methodologies for both the structure of the constellation, and the logistical issues regarding the method of energy transmission will be briefly reviewed.