Winters Mill High – AP Capstone: Research 

Apr 2026 · 2nd Semester

AP Research, the second course in the AP Capstone experience, allows students to deeply explore an academic topic, problem, issue, or idea of individual interest. Students design, plan, and implement a yearlong investigation to address a research question. Through inquiry, they further the skills they acquired in the AP Seminar course by learning research methodology, employing ethical research practices, and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information. Students reflect on their skill development, document their processes, and curate the artifacts of their scholarly work through a process and reflection portfolio. The course culminates in an academic paper of 4,000 – 5,000 words (accompanied by a performance, exhibit, or product where applicable) and a presentation with an oral defense. This course fulfills one credit of the State graduation requirements in English. Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate™. Students who also earn scores of 3 or higher on four additional AP exams of their choosing at any time in high school receive the AP Capstone Diploma™.