Page 60 - 2006.Millard.North.

Students describe their secrets

to success throughout research

To prepare for presentations research , and into how the the designs, visual effects and
and research papers, students presentation would turn out. animations to make it more
spent countless hours slaving Freshman Carley Sell was attention-grabbing and exciting to
over computers and notes, so concerned about the 'teacher's watch .
they could prepare five page opinion', if her presentation Senior Ryan Johnson shared
essays and eight -minute would be up to par, and if she his personal presentation strat-
speeches to share with their would be able to get it done on egy .
classmates . Research projects time . "My secret is that I pretty much
and presentations offered Junior Scott Pulverenti thought just wing it. It's worked for me so
challenges and learning experi- that an enormous pressure with far," he said with a smile .
ences for students this past year . research was the actual present- While research and presenta-
Finding an interesting topic ing . tions were sometimes a hassle,
and high-quality information to "The worst part is that you they were necessary not only for
go along with it was the first task have to present it. I really hate school requirements, but also
at hand . Brainstorming and presenting because it's so nerve for future endeavors. Both
narrowing down the topic list wracking," Pulverenti said . Johnson and Pulverenti agreed
were the first steps . For other students, presenting that high school research
"I always pick really difficult was enjoyable. Sell discovered prepared them for upcoming
topics that I can't find information that her favorite way to present college research .
for very easily . I like it better when her findings was to get up in front "I have learned a lot (about
the topic is assigned,· sophomore of the class and speak . research), and I think that I'm
Scott Mclaughlin said . "For me, getting in front of the pretty well-prepared for college ,"
To obtain the proper material class is simple . I feel at ease in Pulverenti said .
for his project on time, junior front of my peers; Sell said . Despite the time and effort
Mike McCune's approach was to Others used visuals to exem- needed for research projects , in
stay up all night, "drinking a plify their hard work . Mclaughlin the end, the weight lifted off
whole bunch of Mountain Dew. said Powerpoint presentations student's shoulders by turning
Students had other concerns are "expressive and fun to work their projects in made it all worth
that went beyond the actual with." He delighted in adding all it.

Juniors Kim Walter and Elsie Cook work on a collage in
their World Literature class . The girls were doing the
project over the book, Dante 's Inferno . photo by Vera
Hough