Student creativity shines in independent studies

by Jackson Joffe ’18

Independent studies classes allow High School students to sculpt their academic paths. The following article appears courtesy of the Peabody Press.
From Agamben to Astronomy, independent studies run the gamut of the academic spectrum. One of the greatest things about USN is the flexibility a student has with his/her schedule. No two students have the same schedules, allowing students to form an academic schedule suited to their interests. 
 
Many students have taken advantage of USN’s Independent Study Program, which allows students to construct their own class curriculum under the guidance of their independent study sponsor. Although academic independent studies are only available to upperclassmen and enrichment independent studies are only available to grades 10-12, many students do independent studies each year. 
 
This semester, there are 11 enrichment independent studies and 17 academic independent studies. This is about the same total as last year, and the topics for these courses vary immensely. 
 
Ben Maloy ’18 is currently taking an astronomy course with Mr. Hubbell as his class sponsor. Maloy planned his own curriculum for the year and is excited to learn more about space.
 
“I wanted to learn more about astronomy and I knew Mr. Hubbell was very knowledgeable about the subject, so I talked with him about doing an astronomy course with him. I think it’s gonna be a great experience and I’m really happy to be taking it.”
 
Maloy also praises USN for its course flexibility.

“I don’t think you can find another school like [USN] because you can make a unique schedule. Not many people take all the same courses as other people, and I really like that USN allows students to be creative with their course choices,” said Maloy. 
 
Markus Pannock ’18 is taking two independent studies this semester -- both academic independent studies -- at Vanderbilt. 
 
“My first independent study is German, and this will be my third year taking that. I’ve taken it with Vanderbilt, and [Dr.] Edmonds set it up for me,” said Pannock. “I’ve really enjoyed that. It’s a different environment than USN though, at least with the German classes. They seem more laid back.” 
 
Pannock’s other independent study is “Modeling Natural Systems,” which he hopes will develop into a class.

“We digitally model certain ecosystems, or certain things that will happen in nature. Kind of  like the 'Peppered Moth' story, where we give properties to these moths and we can watch how they develop. We still haven’t decided what program we’re going to use, but we’re trying to turn this into a class that anyone can take,” said Pannock. “I’m working right now on modeling percentages with a board that a person drops marbles through, to see if it lands in the same spot each time. The computer can help model this board to see the more accurate percentages of it landing in the same spot each time.” 
 
Other students, such as Lillie Yalowitz ’17, modeled their independent studies off of other courses that they previously took.
 
“I decided to do an advanced anatomy and physiology course with Joi [Holmes ’17], because we really liked Dr. Matthies’ class that we already took. She’s our sponsor, and she was really open to the idea of going more in-depth with the things we learned in her class.”
 
Some students have come up with very creative ideas with their independent studies, like Akash Kurupassery ’18.
 
“Basically, my independent study is on Giorgio Agamben, who is a really liberal Italian philosopher who has inspired a lot of anarchists. He’s analyzed aspects of government since the 1960s to the present day, and he still critiques current society. He’s written a couple of books, like 'Homo Sacer,' so it’s going to be an interesting semester.”

Kurupassery developed his unique curriculum along with his sponsor, USN alumnus Ben Zeppos ’05.
 
“We’re basically learning about his life, kind of a full biography of him, and his thoughts and works. He had a lot of interesting ideas,” said Kurupassery. 
 
Academic Dean Jeff Edmonds has a lot of confidence in the students participating in independent studies this year. 

“I do feel better about this crop of independent studies than I have in previous years. I think if you look at the applications, it’s clear that students put a lot of thought into [their independent studies] this year. They’re creative, interesting, and they’re quality, and I have total confidence that each of these independent studies will be very good this semester.”
 
Edmonds notes that students tend to take independent studies primarily in the fall semester rather than the spring semester. 
 
“Our application process is in the spring of the prior year, so kids are just thinking about one semester ahead, but some students do full-year long independent studies, so I’d think that we’d have less this spring semester.”
 
Edmonds also emphasized a student’s check in with his/her faculty sponsor is essential with independent studies. 
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