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Junior Workshop

Junior Workshop

A uniquely Calhoun capstone experience

All eleventh graders embark on developing an independent study project that challenges them to create something new or innovative. Junior Workshop cultivates a young person’s innate curiosity. The idea of the project is not to report back on existing knowledge, but to bring something novel into the world—something that creates insight, function or beauty and is rooted in a student's passions. Junior Workshop puts eleventh graders into the role of creator as they design their own project and face the exciting realization that there are no instructions for the way forward. If the path to take is 100% clear, it’s probably not a Junior Workshop project.

After completing their independent study, many students continue to pursue their topic of interest through their Senior Work internships, undergraduate studies and eventual careers.

The Process

Eleventh graders work in structured workshop-style groups, guided by an advisor of the student’s choosing. Over the course of one mod, Junior Workshop students: 

  • Develop and workshop their concepts of what it is they want to create or innovate
  • Identify what kind of research they will need to do to bring their ideas to life
  • Offer and receive constructive feedback on their research process
  • Consult with experts in the field who intersect with their concept
  • Work towards urging their concept into some kind of outcome
  • Prepare to talk about their process and outcome before their peers and advisors during scheduled group critiques 
  • Share their outcomes with the Calhoun community (and sometimes beyond)

Not many kids get the opportunity to find an area they're really passionate about and make something out of it... I will remember [Junior Workshop] as my starting ground.

Bryce W. '25

Junior Workshop Project Highlights

Calhoun students have developed community-based athletic events, written and recorded original songs for an EP, coded artificial-intelligence apps, launched art exhibitions, created documentary films examining racism and mental illness in the criminal justice system, and so much more.