On Friday, February 23, Emerson’s Independent Study and Mentorship (ISM) class attended the second district-wide ISM event of the year, the Research Showcase at UNT Frisco.
During this event. ISM students across Frisco ISD showcased their first semester work in the class, focusing specifically on the development of their original work in their respective fields of study. Emerson’s original works this year ranged from a guide on fashion sustainability, a motorized orthosis model, and a multicultural music curriculum.
“The experience of being able to show other schools what I have done in ISM was truly unique,” senior Joao Paulo Moro said. “Having their recognition is very motivating, but my favorite part of the showcase was showing my presentation to everyone that was interested in what I have been doing and maybe spark their interest and ISM and my topic, which is filmmaking.”
ISM provides students with an opportunity to prepare for the future through learning professional networking skills, presentation skills and interview skills.
“Once we get older and get into the workforce, we have to showcase ourselves and our capabilities,” senior Sreehitha Katta said. “The research showcase lets us do that; it lets us showcase our original work and talk about exactly everything you have done.”
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Courtesy of Peyton McCutcheon
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Courtesy of Peyton McCutcheon
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Courtesy of Peyton McCutcheon
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Courtesy of Peyton McCutcheon
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After creating an original work through research and interviews in the first semester, ISM students work with a mentor to create a final product in their second semester. Mentorships provide ISM students with the valuable experience of learning from someone in their field of interest and partaking in activities such as shadowing and having weekly meetings with them.
“The second semester is quite different from the first semester because working with a mentor helps you do a lot more with your final product than doing your original work,” Katta said. “I know a lot of people have to tone down what they do for their original work because they don’t have the resources available to them to create something super big. So for my final product, working with a mentor has given me more opportunities to learn and figure out different things that I wouldn’t have been able to do.”
In terms of the final product, students are coming up with innovative ideas for works that they can create with the guidance of their mentor.
“I’m currently working on a comedic documentary inspired by the popular TV Show ‘The Office’, but instead of showing the day to day life in an office I’m showing the day to day life in ISM,” Moro said.
The creation of the final product and the experience of mentorship leads up to the final ISM event of the year: the final presentation night. The final presentation night in April is when every ISM student gives a speech about their work this year, recapping their experiences creating their original work and final product. Additionally, students cover their experiences working with their mentor.
With April just around the corner, ISM students are gearing up for final presentation night and are starting to write their speeches. While there’s a lot of work to be done, students are excited to be able to show friends and family the fruits of their labor.
“The amount of work we do all year is all for that single night and since I’m a senior it’s the last time I get to present all my ISM work over my two years in the class” Katta said. “It’s the event I’m most looking forward to and I’m really excited to share my research.”
