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)

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.

Harper D. '25: Using SCOBY Biofilm to Create Vegan Leather

Harper designed and conducted an experiment using SCOBY biofilm to create a vegan leather prototype. 

Read more about Harper's project

Nishant V. '25: A Published Scholarly Paper

Nishant published an academic research paper analyzing the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on education in India.

Read more about Nishant's project

Bryce W. '25: Anti-Hero Action Film

Bryce created a trailer-length action film, Anti, that investigates the concept of the anti-hero and features choreographed martial arts scenes.

Read more about Bryce's project

Selin O. '25: Research Paper on the Ethics of AI

Selin wrote a nineteen-page research paper examining the ethics of artificial intelligence and offering recommendations about how it can become more ethical.

Read more about Selin's project

Violet F. '25: Pilot Episode of a TV Show

Violet wrote, directed, produced, edited, and sound directed the pilot episode of a television show about how to create a production company.

Read more about Violet's project

Chosen M-K. '25: Basketball Documentary

Chosen created a short documentary on basketball exploring the origins of passion and work ethic, and the filmmaker's individual relationship with the sport. 

Read more about Chosen's project

Phoebe A. '25: Tap Dancing Docuseries

Phoebe developed a three-part docuseries entitled "Untapped Potential" that explores the evolution of tap dancing.

Read more about Phoebe's project

Ella T. '25–Silkscreen Prints Exploring Chronic Illness

Ella made a series of silkscreen prints exploring the relationship between chronic illness and art.

Read more about Ella's project

View additional Junior Workshop projects