Eighth graders in the Class of 2028 shared their research with fellow students, faculty, staff, administrators, family and friends during the Middle School Capstone Showcase on April 19 in the Berry Performing Arts Center.
The eighth grade Capstone is an action research project that extends over several months. Students respond to an essential question, which introduces them to the complexity of problems for which there are no easy answers. Students are encouraged to explore an issue of global significance and personal relevance by cultivating a range of research skills. This multi-disciplinary project builds reading, writing, research, artistic, critical thinking, and presentation skills while also fostering curiosity, collaboration, teamwork, and resilience.
Ms. Dorri Ramati, eighth grade English teacher, provided expert leadership to guide the students through the Capstone process this year. She mentored them through the research process and exploration of this year’s essential question: When does an individual take a stand about a problem they see in the world?
“Once students have spent a few months researching their topic, we then talk about how to formulate a good thesis. Students understand that a thesis is derived from what they have learned about a particular subject. It is their particular point of view of the situation which can be supported through their research,” Ms. Ramati said. “After they have developed their thesis, students begin to create an outline, which will be the skeleton of their research paper. We learn about format as well as a review on how to use MLA format. Choosing what material to put in or take out is usually the hardest part of this process.”
The 34 presentations were segmented into seven groups: Individual and Society, Mental Health, Technology, Space, Education, Health, Environment. These groups were organized in a Gallery Walk in the PAC lobby, where students and faculty attended a morning session and parents were invited for the afternoon.
The afternoon session began with a welcome from Mrs. Kirstin Rogers, Middle School Head, and remarks from Ms. Ramati. Students Jordan Barker ’28, Raymond Han ’28, Ellie Szczubelek ’28 and Devin Virdi ’28 followed with a brief presentation explaining the Capstone process before the afternoon gallery walk and post-event reception in the front courtyard. A long day marked the end of a challenging process with rewarding results.
“As the capstone day unfolds, students gain a deep understanding of their topic, an appreciation of adjusting their speech according to whom they are speaking, and become experts in answering questions related to what they have learned,” Ms. Ramati said. “By the end of the project, students have also learned project and time management, planning, outlining, and presenting information in a multitude of ways.”