Lakeside School

“Finals week" at Lakeside has changed over the years. While sit-down tests are still used, as well as lab practicums and papers, many classes are assessing students' learning through public presentations that are artistic, philosophical, or research-focused.

For a final assessment in Kevin Kimura’s English 9 class, students recited poetry from memory. “To memorize a poem and perform it in front of the class requires attention to detail, empathy with the poet and with their audience, and the conviction, confidence, and vulnerability to perform in front of their peers,” shared Kimura. The 9th graders drew on lessons learned from their Shakespeare performances earlier in the year. “While I can see voice and care in a written assignment,” said Kimura, “there’s something about the human connection that can only exist in live performance that is powerful.”

This year, multiple humanities classes hosted oral presentations and panels that were open to students, faculty, and even parents and guardians. At a culminating research symposium for US History, students presented their research on a panel, where they briefly introduced their topics, presented their main arguments and research process, and answered questions from the audience. Seniors in “The Philosophy of Friendship” English class shared their philosophies on friendship and responded to questions from classroom guests. And juniors in the interdisciplinary American Studies assembled mini exhibits in honor of the 250th anniversary of American independence and presented a historical argument or narrative on a story of America that resonates with them.

This year, the Lakeside Science Symposium expanded scope as it moved from McKay Chapel to the Vassar Center. Students in five advanced science electives — Conservation Science and Endangered Species, Neurochemistry, Optics and Electronics, Molecular & Cellular Biology, and Calculus-Based Physics: Electricity and Magnetism — shared their final projects via a poster session with the entire Upper School during ACT period.

A key part of academic conferences and annual meetings, science poster sessions provide an opportunity for researchers, at many different stages of their careers, to share and discuss their work with others in their field. “If students move forward in science, they will almost certainly be participating in poster sessions…[so] getting a chance to practice here will definitely be helpful,” shared Upper School Science Department Head Devin Parry, who also teaches Molecular & Cellular Biology. But there is value in the exercise for all students. “It’s not just science communication: Having to communicate something complex in a way that is understandable is a great skill…. It’s also an opportunity to be curious and ask questions. Showing an interest in what other people have done is a fundamental human skill.”