AP Capstone, Merici Med, and Saint Patrick Engineering Programs
AP Capstone Program
AP Capstone is an innovative diploma program from the College Board that equips students with the independent research, collaborative teamwork, and communication skills that are increasingly valued by colleges. AP Capstone is built on the foundation of two AP Course, AP Seminar and AP Research, and is designed to complement and enhance the in-depth, discipline specific study experienced in other AP courses. In AP Seminar, students investigate real world issues from multiple perspectives, gathering and analyzing information from various sources in order to develop credible and valid evidence based arguments.
Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP exams of their choosing will earn the AP Capstone Diploma. Students who earn a 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research but not on four additional AP Exams will receive the the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.
AP Seminar
Grade 10-11
Elective | 1 Credit
AP Seminar is a foundational course that engages students in cross-curricular conversations that explore the complexities of academic and real world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives. Using an inquiry framework, students practice reading and analyzing articles, research studies, and foundational literary and philosophical texts; listening and viewing speeches, broadcasts and personal accounts; and experiencing artistic works and performances. Students learn to synthesize information from multiple sources, develop their own perspectives in research based written essays, and design and deliver oral and visual presentations, both individually and as a part of a team. Ultimately, the course aims to equip students with the power to analyze and evaluate information with accuracy and precision in order to craft and communicate evidence based arguments. The course will require a significant commitment from the student.
Prerequisite: Principal Approval
AP Research
Grade 11-12
Elective | 1 Credit
AP Research, the second course in the AP Capstone experience, allows students to deeply explore an academic topic, problem, issue, or idea of individual interest. Students design, plan, and implement a yearlong investigation to address a research question. Through this inquiry, they further the skills they acquired in the AP Seminar course by learning research methodology, employing ethical research practices, and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing informations. Students reflect on their skill development, document their processes, and curate the artifacts of their scholarly work through a process and reflection portfolio. The course culminates in an academic paper of 4,000 to 5,000 words (accompanied by a performance, exhibit, or product where applicable) and a presentation with an oral defense.
Prerequisite: AP Seminar
Merici Med Prep Program
In the spirit of Saint Angela Merici, Ursuline High School is proud to host the “Merici Med Prep Program.” Named for the foundress of the Ursuline order, Saint Angela Merici, this program will provide students who are interested in health care professions with experiences designed to increase awareness of the various medical career paths available. In addition to exposing students to potential medical-related careers, we plan to involve students in opportunities and practical experiences both within the walls of Ursuline as well as outside of the school setting with the guidance of medical professionals. Ursuline began developing this program last year with an exciting partnership with Mercy Health, allowing some of our students to be trained in Health Care Provider CPR, First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogen, C-Spine Immobilization, and Incident Command Disaster Drill programs during a 4-day program in Mercy’s Simulation Lab. Program participants will attend the Mercy Health training series and participate in a minimum of 80 hours of additional Merici Med opportunities throughout their time at Ursuline, including, but not limited to guest discussions from medical professionals, distance learning lab videoconferences, shadow experiences, lessons from the Anatomage curriculum, and visits to science/medical conferences, fairs, or other relevant events. Currently over 40 students are enrolled in the program.
For more information, please contact Miss Staci Raab, program coordinator, at sraab@youngstowndiocese.org.
Saint Patrick Engineering Club (SPEC)
The St. Patrick Engineering Club is named after the patron saint of engineers and the Irish. According to the Case Western Reserve University School of Engineering, “The actual details of St. Patrick’s life are somewhat murky and over years of retelling, the details have undoubtedly been embellished or forgotten. But the most accepted version of events is that the man who
was to become St. Patrick was born in what is now Scotland in the late fourth century AD. In his adult life, St. Patrick worked to spread Christianity throughout the British Isles. As part of this mission, he built churches, including the first churches in Ireland. Before his arrival in Ireland, builders used a dry masonry technique that involved stacking flat stones on top of each other, gradually overlapping the stones to enclose the walls. St. Patrick, however, was familiar
with more Romanized forms of architecture, including the use of lime mortar. It’s also believed that he introduced the concept of arches to Irish builders, giving them the knowledge they needed to build the traditional stone churches that still dot the Irish countryside today. Because of this, the Catholic church has deemed him the patron saint of engineers.”
The St. Patrick Club will meet several times throughout the year to complete special engineering related labs with the assistance of engineers and engineering university students. The labs will allow students to experience simulations and projects similar to the work of an engineer and interact with current undergraduate engineering students. The club is open to all students.
The labs are provided by Engineering Tomorrow and Ursuline is the first Ohio school accepted to participate in the program.