Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) students recently gathered, along with faculty members, family, friends, and classmates, to present their Capstone Inquiry Projects. For these projects, students conduct original, on-the-ground research over the course of three quarters and their presentations were therefore the culmination of hundreds of hours of hard work and perseverance. Students’ topics represented a wide range of educational issues, including: Self-Esteem, Cultural Knowledge, and Academic Achievement in African American Adolescent Girls; Exploring Learning Environments with Kindergartners as Co-Researchers; Literary and Creative Writing Programs in Prisons; Veterans’ Perceptions of Gardening and Farming; and Improving Student Success in Math by Increasing Engagement with Technology.
In the words of MAEd student Dayna Codykramers, “The MAEd Inquiry Presentation session felt like a celebration of our journey, as well as our learning. The poster session allowed me to answer participants’ individual questions about my research rather than guess what might be interesting to such a diverse community. I also enjoyed hearing about what my colleagues were passionate about in their research.”
MAEd student Shawn Welsh adds, “Having the opportunity to work on MAEd Inquiry presentations gives Masters students a chance to bring together real world issues and the ideas learned in academia. By doing so, our research and work allowed us to be agents of change in the educational field.”
The presentations inspired deep conversations about issues of educational equity and engaged, constructivist learning. All students who presented their work will soon be graduating and moving on to fulfilling careers in the field of education. The presenters demonstrated a commitment to justice, equity, and supporting the unique needs of all learners. They truly embody Antioch’s and the School of Education’s mission and values!
