Students in Ms. Jennifer Theriot’s class at Northern Garrett High School (NGHS) have reached an important academic milestone as part of the school’s first year offering the Advanced Placement (AP) Research course, the second of two required courses in the AP Capstone program.
The AP Capstone program, developed by the College Board, is designed to equip students with critical thinking, research, collaboration, and presentation skills that are essential for success in college and beyond. AP Research builds on the foundation established in AP Seminar, allowing students to design, conduct, and present an in-depth, year-long research project on a topic of their choice.
Two Northern Garrett High School students successfully completed rigorous research projects that reflect both academic excellence and real-world application:
- Mr. Eoin Elica, a senior, conducted a study on optimizing air ambulance coverage in Montana, using Maryland’s system as a model to explore potential improvements in emergency medical response.
- Ms. Marisa Perez, a senior, examined the most significant extrinsic motivators influencing high-achieving students to enroll in dual-enrollment courses within a rural Maryland school district.
Both projects demonstrate the depth of inquiry and analytical thinking fostered through the AP Capstone program, as well as students’ ability to connect classroom learning to broader societal and educational challenges.
“This inaugural year of AP Research at Northern Garrett High School highlights the dedication of our students and staff to expanding rigorous academic opportunities,” said Mr. Paul Edwards, Director of Secondary Education. “These students have taken on complex, meaningful topics and produced work that reflects both scholarly discipline and real-world relevance.”
The introduction of AP Research marks a significant step forward in enhancing advanced academic programming at Northern Garrett High School and across Garrett County Public Schools. For more information about the AP Capstone program and academic requirements, please contact your school counselor.
