Representatives from two Students As Researchers (StAR) teams from the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board presented their research at a provincial symposium on Wednesday, April 26.
The Students As Researchers (StAR) Symposium is a Ministry of Education event at which students share their research and learning experiences with Ministry staff, as well as other students from across Ontario. Students and teachers from St. John Paul II Catholic School in Barrie, and St. Marie of the Incarnation Catholic School in Bradford, attended this year’s event to represent SMCDSB.
The team of Caleb, Joshua, Julie, Justin and Katie, led by teacher-advisor Mrs. Coppin, presented research on the issue of phones at St. John Paul II C.S. with their project, “Phones in the Classroom: Student’s Dream or Teacher’s Nightmare?” (pictured above). The St. Marie of the Incarnation team of Karsen, Victoria, Brennan and Alisa (pictured on the left), led by teacher-advisor Mrs. Attridge, presented their research project entitled, “Growing Pains: Maintaining Community in a Rapidly Growing School.”
“Presenting at the StAR Symposium is a great honour and excellent opportunity for our students,” says Jeff Cole, who coordinates the Students As Researchers program. “The students involved this year worked very hard on their research. It is nice to see them have a chance to voice their opinion about the education system in Ontario. They have come up with several interesting ideas to suggest how the system could be improved from a student perspective.”
The Students As Researchers (StAR) program provides an opportunity for students to undertake a collaborative research project focused on an issue in their school or community. Students receive training on how to conduct research, and support for planning and carrying out their research, as well as analyzing and sharing their findings.
Teachers or students who would like more information about the Students As Researchers (StAR) program can contact Jeff Cole at [email protected] or 705-722-3555 ext. 391.