Exhibitions

Exhibitions and Capstones are culminating academic experiences for Juniors and Seniors and an institutional assessment of proficiency in research, writing, and public speaking skills.

The ability to conduct independent research, write clearly, and communicate coherently is of paramount importance to an educated citizenry. TSA students actively practice these skills throughout their high school career by completing research projects, and writing papers and persuasive essays.

Students also have many opportunities to give a variety of presentations, for which they learn to dress appropriately, speak clearly from notes, make eye contact, listen attentively and respectfully, and create an effective visual component to support their research.

Exhibition

The Exhibition assessment is based both on a written component (8–12 pages) and on an oral presentation (20–25 minutes) to an audience of faculty, peers, and community members. Successful completion of the Exhibition requires students to work independently, develop a thesis, think creatively, research complex topics, synthesize information from a variety of sources, and present confidently to an audience of faculty and peers.

Past topics have included Theories of Brain Plasticity, The Effects of Food Coloring on the Perception of Taste, An Ethnographic Study of Barbie, Power and Efficiency in Cars, The Evolution of the Ski Industry, and Marian Apparitions In Post-Biblical History.

Capstone

Since 2019 students at TSA have had the option to craft even more personalized culminating projects through the Capstone. Capstones share aspects of the Exhibition, but allow more creative freedom and ownership of the project. Students envision their unique topic, identify their target standards, set goals, and design and manage the timeline for accomplishing the project.

Capstone projects have explored the process of making a graphic novel, produced a podcast, and developed sculpting techniques with mixed media.