Freshman here at Academy have been given projects each quarter in Civics to stretch there minds and see how far they can really search. These projects are called “Rabbit Holes.” They are allowed to choose a topic from a list of topics discussed that quarter, and they then “go down the rabbit hole” to topics that interest them. So, they research that topic until it leads to another topic and another and another… until they have reached a topic that interests them. They then surround the project focus on that ending topic. A lot of freshman have seemed to enjoy these projects.  Lauren Curtis says, “I like doing them because you can end on a topic that’s not related to history or government; there’s a lot of freedom with it so it’s fun!!”

Civics teacher Stacy Filocco says she came up with the idea of this project on her own.

” I wanted to get them interested in a topic they are learning in class, and have them explore being a more curious learner.”

At the end of the girls presentations they have time to be interactive with the rest of the class. A lot of the freshman like to make quizzes on Kahoot for the class to take on their presentation. At the end of the girls’ presentations they have time to be interactive with the rest of the class. A lot of the freshman like to make quizzes on Kahoot for the class to take on their presentation.

Freshman Katherine Fernandez shares, “The fun part is researching and making the presentation or the interactive activity that you do with the presentation.”

Freshman Victoria Wehling says the most interesting Rabbit Hole to her from the year was Katie Jones’ presentation on the analysis of fake money: “It was really cool to see the factors of what makes money fake.”

A lot of curiosity and engagement have come from these projects, and the students have enjoyed them so far. They only complaints about the projects are from student who have a hard time speaking in front of large groups of people, but they have been able to manage and enjoy the research.

Freshman Brooke Breeze comments, “Personally, I don’t enjoy them all that much because I get nervous presenting it in front of the class and I have to remember all of my information, but it’s good public speaking practice, so I understand why the teachers assign them.”