The River Hill High School Gifted and Talented Research courses empower students to contribute to the larger community by applying, creating, and evaluating knowledge in a specialized area of study.  

A G/T Program Information Session was held on December 4, 2024 on GoogleMeet from 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Thank you to all of the families who attended and to current students who presented their research! Here are the slides that were shared during that presentation. Hosted by Ms. Janine Sharbaugh, our GT Research teacher, the session covered the program’s research tasks and objectives, the various opportunities for off-site learning and internships, and the incredible contributions to our world made by former students in the program. Please email Ms. Sharbaugh with any questions: Janine_Sharbaugh@hcpss.org

Three courses comprise the G/T Research Program for the ‘25-‘26 school year: Independent Research GT, Intern/Mentor G/T, and AP Seminar. Students must apply to be considered for Independent Research and Intern/Mentor.

Independent Research GT Course Description

Independent Research is a college-level course in which students design an original research study or creative production in self-selected areas of interest. Student researchers address identified problems, answer research questions, and communicate the results of their creative achievements to appropriate audiences. Students collaborate and receive ongoing feedback from professionals in their selected areas of study. “Independent Research is one experience I would recommend to each and every high school student that has the opportunity. The freedom this class presents really defines you as a student and shows your willingness to put forth effort in the field of study that you love.” ~IR student

The IR Application for the 25-26 school year is due on Friday, January 31, 2025.

Intern/Mentor GT Course Description

The Gifted and Talented Intern/Mentor Program is a college level course in which students design an original research study or creative production. Students study off campus with a professional mentor in a self-selected area of interest. At the mentor site, students apply the knowledge and skills they have learned in an authentic, professional environment. “The mentorship program has taught me both my talents as an artist and my flaws as a worker.” ~IM student “This class has shown me that in order to work up to my potential, I can’t spread myself too thin. I have also learned that I am going above and beyond most high school students in the country. People can’t believe I’m only seventeen!” ~IM student

The IM Application for the 25-26 school year is due on Friday, January 31, 2025.

AP Seminar Course Description

“AP Seminar is an interdisciplinary course that encourages students to demonstrate critical thinking, collaboration, and academic research skills on topics of the student’s choosing. To accommodate the wide range of student topics, typical college course equivalents include interdisciplinary or general elective courses” (College Board website). Students will learn how to read and analyze articles, studies, and texts, view an issue from multiple perspectives, and craft arguments based on evidence. Students do not select the research topics; instead, College Board provides themes that students can pursue. Students are expected to register for the AP Exam, as the research tasks are completed in class. AP Seminar is a prerequisite for AP Research, which is expected to be available starting in 2026-2027.