{"id":31699,"date":"2025-06-26T18:37:41","date_gmt":"2025-06-26T22:37:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/?p=31699"},"modified":"2025-06-26T18:37:41","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T22:37:41","slug":"students-participating-in-summer-academy-demonstrate-their-knowledge-and-skills-with-presentations-of-their-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/news\/2025\/students-participating-in-summer-academy-demonstrate-their-knowledge-and-skills-with-presentations-of-their-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Students participating in Summer Academy demonstrate their knowledge and skills with presentations of their work"},"content":{"rendered":"

GREENEVILLE<\/strong> \u2013 Knowledge, best practices and artistic expression skills attained during five weeks of active and experiential learning were on display during recent presentations by local high school students participating in the Upward Bound<\/a> and Upward Bound Math and Science<\/a> Summer Academy.<\/h3>\n
\"Elijah

Elijah Garland, left, shows his poster to Dr. David Smith.<\/p><\/div>\n

As they wrapped up their studies for this year\u2019s academy, held at Tusculum University<\/a>, students in the math, science and humanities areas showed their research posters and answered questions about their array of topics. Students who were part of the art program showed their creations in a variety of media, and other academy participants who were in the theater track performed improvisational comedy and performed monologues.<\/p>\n

The presentations were held Wednesday, June 25, in the Brotherton Boardroom of the Meen Center, the lobby of Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Center and the Marilyn duBrisk Theatre.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were delighted to demonstrate the impressive talent and brainpower of our students,\u201d said Dr. David Smith, executive director of TRIO<\/a> programs at Tusculum. \u201cThe Summer Academy is an excellent outlet for students to develop their abilities in much deeper ways that help prepare them for college and other aspects of their lives. This event is a highlight for us and illustrates the value of Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Summer Academy is held every summer at Tusculum and features morning classes that change every week. In the afternoon, students spend their five weeks in a specialized study area, where they have more focused learning in the subject areas that lead to the presentation. Students live on campus during the week and eat in the Tusculum cafeteria. In the academy\u2019s final week, the students take a cultural trip that supplements what they have learned on campus.<\/p>\n

Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science are funded by federal grants.<\/p>\n

Science and math projects<\/strong><\/p>\n

Upward Bound Math and Science students can choose from multiple topics in five or six subject areas, but they have flexibility in the way they gather data. Among the projects this year were the way heart rates can impact cognitive function, water quality, cold packs and the effect of weight on a marble\u2019s ability to roll on a surface.<\/p>\n

\"Peter

Peter Psahos discusses his poster.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Shilo

Shilo Wang stands by her poster.<\/p><\/div>\n

As he works with his students, Aaron Barnett, an Upward Bound Math and Science academic advisor, focuses on teaching students the process of research. He wants them to recognize how the overall method is the same regardless of the subject. He said high school students need to learn how to perform research in the proper way to succeed at the next academic stage.<\/p>\n

\u201cCollege freshmen frequently lack research and research-based activities,\u201d he said. \u201cBecause there are so many dual enrollment classes now, colleges want students to be able to conduct research as soon as they enroll.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the items that causes students some headaches is learning how to correctly cite sources in their research. Barnett has his students use the American Psychological Association style, and learning that format will prove beneficial should they enter the science field.<\/p>\n

Shilo Wang, a rising senior at Greeneville High School, who conducted the study titled \u201cExercise and Cognitive Function Using Block Blast,\u201d said she really enjoyed the data analysis component of her research.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just like seeing the numbers and doing all of these silly formulas and seeing what trends pop up,\u201d she said. \u201cThrough the academy, I have learned some additional speaking skills, too. Before, I was really socially anxious, and I am still that, but I am doing better than I was. I\u2019m also a lot better at doing research and completing the formatting because I have done it before at the academy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Humanities research<\/strong><\/p>\n

Students in Upward Bound who participated in research conducted archival projects in which they had to sift through primary sources and connect them to the context of history. They also engaged with the historiography on their subject, said Kassidy Babler, an academic advisor for that program.<\/p>\n

\"Sofia

Sofia Mejia Ramirez shows her poster.<\/p><\/div>\n

During the academy\u2019s first week, which was conducted virtually, she and students examined the Thomas J. Garland Library<\/a> web pages to discover all the facility offers to support research. Babler showed the students the databases that were approved for use for her research class, and students were able to pick any subject they wanted as long as the university had the resource material to support the project. In addition to creating a poster, students were required to write a research paper that used the Chicago style for formatting.<\/p>\n

Subjects students tackled included female access to authority in the conquest of new Spain through a woman named Do\u00f1a Marina as well as assimilation in the United States in the 19th century and its effect on indigenous family units.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe students have done a great job,\u201d Babler said. \u201cA lot of them grew in this class and started thinking outside the box. They really had to work to think about how to organize their research and how to effectively communicate what they learned.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sofia Mejia Ramirez, who will be a sophomore at Chuckey-Doak High School in the fall, conducted the research for the Do\u00f1a Marina project. In line with what Barnett said, the most challenging aspect for her was the citation requirements.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had never written a research paper before this,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019ve been able to write essays but never long research papers. I was intimidated at first but over time, I became interested in it and grew to really love it. It\u2019s going to help me in high school with writing essays. This research work really helped me to know how to write introductions and conclusion and make the body really long.\u201d<\/p>\n

Art projects<\/strong><\/p>\n

Students in the art track presented ceramic pieces, a surrealism landscape drawing created with charcoal and color pencil and graphite drawings using surrealism techniques.<\/p>\n

\"Jacqueline

Jacqueline Diaz shows her artwork.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Makayla

Makayla Stetson, third from the left, holds an art piece she created while she stands with her family.<\/p><\/div>\n

Stephanie Callahan, an art teacher at Greeneville High, said she sought to move students out of their comfort zones to stir their creativity. She also wanted the students to have practice experimenting with different materials.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were able to use clay, color pencil, graphite and charcoal,\u201d Callahan said. \u201cWe really delved into the surrealism techniques. We reviewed the five techniques, looked at examples and watched videos about different artists that use them. The students were given a lot of free rein to decide what path they wanted to take as long as they were incorporating those techniques within their artwork.\u201d<\/p>\n

Students came to the academy with various experience levels in art, and she was pleased with the results.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s really easy, especially with AI, to just have things generated for you, but that wasn\u2019t the case with these students,\u201d Callahan said. \u201cAll of them sat there, took their time and came up with their own ideas.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eli Hardin, who is entering his junior year at South Greene High School, came to the academy with a long background of artwork. He said the academy has benefited him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving the teacher there to help me and learn new approaches was great because there are certain things I didn\u2019t know how to do and she would show me how to do them,\u201d Jordan said. \u201cThat has really helped expand my knowledge. When it comes to drawing certain things, sometimes I can\u2019t always get it, but she showed me a technique of using the computer to make outlines of certain pictures and then just copy what I have done on a paper to make it easier.\u201d<\/p>\n

Theatre offerings<\/strong><\/p>\n

Students in the theater track performed improvisational comedy skits and monologues during their performance. During their five weeks, they learned the techniques of Viola Spolin, the founder of improvisational comedy. Students also learned more generally about performance, acting methods, costumes, prop work and the way to put together a show. Plus, the students spent a lot of time developing monologues.<\/p>\n

\"Students

Students present improvisational comedy.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Madisyn

Madisyn Whittemore, foreground, performs a scene in an improvisational comedy skit.<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cThe large crux of what Erin is teaching is, \u2018Why theater?\u2019\u201d said Steve Schultz, director of Tusculum Arts Outreach, referring to Erin Hensley Schultz, the university\u2019s costume director. \u201cShe has provided a good bit of theater history as well as the ways to perform and improve. She is building the students\u2019 confidence and their performances.\u201d<\/p>\n

Steve Schultz said it is important to students to learn about theater. He said it provides social benefits and helps participants further develop their empathy. Theater is also the best way to increase one\u2019s reading and English scores for the ACT, he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese students have been amazing,\u201d he said. \u201cThey are so excited to be here and have had a great time. They are interested in becoming of part of Tusculum\u2019s Young Actors Studio and seeking information about auditions for our upcoming shows of \u2018Pollyanna.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Student Madisyn Whittemore, who will be a junior in the fall at David Crockett High School, said taking the theater class has helped her open up a lot more. She loved interacting with Erin Schultz and enjoys classes led by Steve Schultz.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would say I have gotten over stage fright a little more, which is ironic because I\u2019ve been on the stage in other capacities since I was 3,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m also getting better with projecting my voice. I\u2019ve become a bit more comfortable playing a character rather than being a stiff mess.\u201d<\/p>\n

To learn more about Upward Bound, please visit https:\/\/site.tusculum.edu\/student-success\/academic-affairs\/first-gen\/ub\/<\/a>. People can access additional detail about Upward Bound Math and Science at https:\/\/site.tusculum.edu\/student-success\/academic-affairs\/first-gen\/ubms\/<\/a>. Further information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

GREENEVILLE<\/strong> \u2013 Knowledge, best practices and artistic expression skills attained during five weeks of active and experiential learning were on display during recent presentations by local high school students participating in the Upward Bound<\/a> and Upward Bound Math and Science<\/a> Summer Academy.<\/h3>\n

As they wrapped up their studies for this year\u2019s academy, held at Tusculum University<\/a>, students in the math, science and humanities areas showed their research posters and answered questions about their array of topics. Students who were part of the art program showed their creations in a variety of media, and other academy participants who were in the theater track performed improvisational comedy and performed monologues.<\/p>\n

The presentations were held Wednesday, June 25, in the Brotherton Boardroom of the Meen Center, the lobby of Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Center and the Marilyn duBrisk Theatre.<\/p>\n

Read the full article…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[131,91,7,19,169,146,1,6,148,147,149,172],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nStudents participating in Summer Academy demonstrate their knowledge and skills with presentations of their work :: Tusculum University<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/news\/2025\/students-participating-in-summer-academy-demonstrate-their-knowledge-and-skills-with-presentations-of-their-work\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Students participating in Summer Academy demonstrate their knowledge and skills with presentations of their work :: Tusculum University\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"GREENEVILLE \u2013 Knowledge, best practices and artistic expression skills attained during five weeks of active and experiential learning were on display during recent presentations by local high school students participating in the Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science Summer Academy. As they wrapped up their studies for this year\u2019s academy, held at Tusculum University, students in the math, science and humanities areas showed their research posters and answered questions about their array of topics. Students who were part of the art program showed their creations in a variety of media, and other academy participants who were in the theater track performed improvisational comedy and performed monologues. The presentations were held Wednesday, June 25, in the Brotherton Boardroom of the Meen Center, the lobby of Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Center and the Marilyn duBrisk Theatre. 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