Inside Innovative Classrooms

In 20-week research seminar, Lab School students 'engage' 
Release Date: Dec. 17, 2009

Nuclear material storage at Yucca Mountain. Environmental racism. Prisoner rendition.

These are not research topics completed by students in a prestigious graduate program. They have been taken on by BC students in the High School's Lab School in recent years.

Founded in 1992, the Lab School emphasizes research, critical-thinking skills, experiential learning and the ability to publicly present one's findings. A school within a school, the Lab School enrolls 25 students from each of the four High School grade levels each year.

With the Lab School within its high school walls, the district does not have to look far for for one proven model of innovation in education.

While the Lab School’s curriculum is aligned with New York State standards, it is delivered in a different way: there is extensive class discussion and debate; students collaborate frequently on presentations; activities completed on field trips and other forms of hands-on learning and community service allow students to master content and demonstrate knowledge.

"Being so engaged in it helps me retain the information,” said Kaylee Herzog, a Lab School senior.

On a recent Friday, all Lab School students came together for their bi-weekly "community meeting." Students talked about various community service opportunities that were approaching ranging from Spanish tutoring to volunteering at an animal shelter. Lab School Coordinator Stephen Smith reminded them about readings and screenings for the Lab School book and movie clubs.

The community meeting was followed by discussion with their teachers and fellow students about their research projects as part of the school's twice-a-year 20-week research seminar.

Mr. Smith talked with his group about the importance of student's researching all sides of an issue. During the 20-week process, students sit with their peers and discuss their preliminary research. They ask questions and make suggestions — pushing the project into new directions.

Senior Eve Sandler explains that as a sophomore, her group’s general topic was World War II. A discussion about the Nuremberg trials led to an interest in prisoner treatment in the war in Iraq, so she focused her research on that topic in current events.

At the end of the process, students will present one aspect of their research to a Board of Examiners, which questions them on the topic in a 45-minute session.

Becky Shumway, also a senior, said the focus on research, debate and collaboration has made her a better student and more well-rounded person.

"Everyone has opinions and here we have no trouble sharing them -- We get into debates in math class about the Pythagorean theorem," she said. "Coming together with people who have different views and opinions makes you a better person because you can see all sides."