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AP Capstone Program

What we expect students to demonstrate after completing AP Seminar:

  • Investigate a range of perspectives on a research topic selected by students
  • Conduct scholarly research relevant to the topic selected
  • Write an academic report on the research topic, analyzing the reasoning within the sources as well as the relevance and credibility of the evidence used
  • Review stimulus materials and decide on a theme derived from the sources
  • Formulate a research question directly related to the selected theme
  • Research, and evaluate relevant, credible, and scholarly sources to answer the research question
  • Formulate a well-reasoned argument with a clear line of reasoning and a conclusion/resolution
  • Evaluate and acknowledge counterarguments and different perspectives
  • Write an argument that is logically organized and supported by credible evidence
  • Give a multimedia presentation without a script
  • Answer questions about their research project thoughtfully and thoroughly

 

What we expect students to demonstrate after completing AP Research:

  • Generate a focused research question within a topic/problem of interest
  • Connect this chosen topic/problem to a larger scholarly context/community
  • Explore relationships between and among multiple works representing multiple perspectives within the topic/problem of iniquiry
  • Assess students’ ability to conduct scholarly and ethical research
  • Articulate an evidence-based argument that clearly communicates implications, limitations, the conclusion, and further research needed on a specific topic/problem
  • Accurately cite, attribute, and integrate the knowledge and work of others while distinguishing between the student’s voice and that of others
  • Generate an academic research paper
  • Give a multimedia presentation without a script
  • Answer questions about their research project thoughtfully and thoroughly

Testimonials

"AP Research and AP Seminar enriched my high school experience by allowing me to explore and learn more about topics of my interest."- Idalia Garcia, California Lutheran University

“The AP Capstone Program aims to help students advance their academic skills, such as research, collaborative teamwork, strong communication, and critical and creative thinking, which are highly admired by universities.”- College Representative, San Diego State University
 

“In both AP Capstone classes, we are not teaching to the AP test, but rather, we are helping our students improve their reading, writing, analytical, collaborative, research, and critical thinking skills so that they can study topics in depth and gain a deep understanding of concepts and skills that will help them in their university coursework.” - AP Research Teacher 

“AP Seminar and AP Research are easily [a couple] of the courses I took at OHS that mirror the research work I’m doing at UC Davis.”- Stephanie Suarez, UC Davis

“AP Capstone allowed me to study social media misinformation in high school. AP Capstone [also] introduced me to great resources and skills, some of which I still use with my expert adviser, Professor Ken Hiltner, while I research why climate denial is so common in the US compared to other European countries.”- Jenna Huynh, UCSB

“AP Capstone got me ahead in the research field, especially attending a UC, which is very research-oriented. Thanks to AP Research and Seminar, I was able to get a research assistant position at a laboratory on campus, which is normally reserved for juniors and seniors.¨- Jocelyn Rojas, UC Riverside


“The AP Capstone program gave me a head start in college. This program gave me the skills and confidence to excel in college by teaching me to think critically, research effectively, and communicate ideas clearly. It prepared me not just to complete research projects but to approach complex challenges with curiosity and purpose. Because of AP Capstone, I feel one step ahead in all my research projects.”- Vivi Garcia, Azusa Pacific University