Curiosity is one of the elements assessed when selecting USAP Community School students. This skill becomes pivotal when one takes the Capstone course in their final year. At the beginning of the final year, each upper six student identifies an issue of concern in his or her community and then spends the year researching and engaging on the topic. This year our faculty challenged us to go a step further and tie our community based research projects to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
On the 11th of November 2023, 42 Upper 6 students showcased their Capstone projects at the Vanilla Moon restaurant in Harare. The Class of 2023 discussed their yearlong research projects and displayed posters. The research projects varied from business, health, agriculture, youth, women empowerment and more. Students tackled the causes and consequences of the specific challenges facing their communities and a few pitched their proposed solutions. A number of highly respected figures from different fields spared their time to visit the showcase and see what brilliant minds molded at USAP can do.
A brief summary of the Capstone journey; in Lower 6 students take a course called Research Methods to prepare for Capstone research. At the beginning of Upper 6, the students commence their primary research and meet for an interview with an expert in their field. The next step is secondary research which involves data collection, data analysis and finally the results and suggested solutions. The showcase is the last milestone happening after Cambridge exams and a week before graduation to present the yearlong work.
Students pitching their Capstone project solutions gave a good glimpse of their work and made the crowd eager to know more about their great work. The USAPella and Marimba group also showcased their talent to the guests. The day ended with luscious pizzas and everyone was left craving for more. We are grateful to our home communities, experts interviews, faculty, USAP alumni and all the guests who graced our day.
