Highlighting the diverse interests and passions of Grade 8 students, this year’s first-semester R.E.A.D.Y. projects showcased thought-provoking research in ancient architecture, canine care, culinary confections, hairstyles throughout history, and more.

Now in its third year, the R.E.A.D.Y. project, a name that stands for Research, Action, Experience, Designed by You, is something that some students begin thinking about before the semester begins.

“I was brainstorming over the summer,” said Evan Himel, who decided to study the theremin, a unique electronic musical instrument. “I had a couple of other ideas, but I thought this one was the most interesting and cool. No one else would be doing it.” 

This year, student work spanned into two distinct phases: research and project creation. By focusing on each phase separately, students could deepen their understanding of each in greater detail and refine their skills further.

Computer Science and Digital Applications teacher Sue Laramie, who leads the R.E.A.D.Y. Projects, commended the students for their dedication in both phases, noting that many students went beyond basic inquiry to explore their subjects in-depth.

“The topics were all so different,” she said. “The students were engaged and trying to learn more about their passions.”

During the research phase, students chose and explored their topics, presenting their findings to classmates. Emphasis was placed on detail and utilizing credible sources of information. 

“The research was definitely the hardest part,” shared Elias Boben, who studied the history of the Colosseum for his project. “There was a lot of information on websites that I had to check if it was true or not.”

In the subsequent project creation phase, the class focused on the most effective way to share their findings. With an emphasis on process and craftsmanship, students had the freedom to create examples of a product they researched, build a model, construct an instrument, and more. 

After researching the complex history of curly hairstyles, Shelby Davis created a podcast featuring interviews with Black faculty and staff at King. The personal insights provided Shelby with a more nuanced understanding of the topic.

“I was really surprised to hear about the different experiences people went through based on where they grew up and their hairstyle,” she said. “If I had more time, I would definitely interview more people and ask deeper questions.”

The final part of each project tasked students with detailing their research and product development on a trifold poster. On Friday, December 6, the King community was invited to browse the posters and learn directly from the students about their work as they explored the presentations set up in the middle school atrium and commons.