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 two mods, 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)

Project Highlights

Through Junior Workshop, 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.

Anna G. ‘26 – Children’s Book About Sports Anxiety

Anna penned a children’s book, Daisy and Her Butterflies, exploring the intersection of performance anxiety in sports through a child’s lens.

Read more about Anna's project

Tristan E. '26 – Examining the East River's Environmental Quality

Tristan conducted a scientific research project and made a website exploring the environmental quality of the East River.

Read more about Tristan's project

Stephanie O-D. '26 – A Podcast on the Cultural Significance of Sneakers

Stephanie created a podcast on the cultural significance of sneakers, and specifically Jordans, in black and brown communities. 

Read more about Stephanie's project

Hannah H. '26 – A Documentary, "Cuban Youth Voices"

Hannah filmed a documentary in Havana, Cuba where she interviewed young people about their lives and the challenges they face.

Read more about Hannah's project

Mars. L '26 – YA Coming-of-Age Novel

Mars wrote a YA coming-of-age novel called The Drummer Boy that explored why people fear change.

Read more about Mars' project

Elsa B. '26 – Creating a Nontoxic Perfume

Elsa combined scientific research with creative experimentation to create her own perfume that was both sustainable and nontoxic.

Read more about Elsa's project

View additional Junior Workshop projects