During the freshman and sophomore years, each student at EMHS undertakes an Inquiry Project, an assignment in which the student decides upon an essential question to research and creates a presentation reflecting his or her new understandings. It is the nature of this question not to present an obvious answer; rather, it requires research on several viewpoints. In the freshman and sophomore years, students must create a presentation that includes the Six Facets of Understanding.
- Explain the issue/question. Provide evidence, data and facts.
- Interpret the information. Use history, stories, images and personal experience.
- Apply the knowledge. Explain how to use the information.
- Consider Perspective. How does this look from several points of view?
- Demonstrate Empathy. Imagine yourself immersed in the situation.
- Gain Self-Knowledge. How to opinions, experiences and beliefs help or hinder understanding?
East Mountain High School believes these are important elements for a presentation because they show an awareness of a topic that is deeper than personal interest and connects students to the larger world. Below is a list of the projects presented by sophomores and freshmen during the 2011 spring semester.
10th Grade
Room 102
Tiersa Cimino: Can dreams predict the future?
Devin Wilson: Is individuality an illusion?
Forest Anderson: Is stress detrimental or beneficial?
Hunter Pool: What leads to excessive hoarding?
Sarah Bush: Are zoos ethical?
Austin Allen: How do war games help us and how do they go against us?
Hollie Key: What does it take for a woman to be the US President?
Rebecca Brink: What is the best way to relieve stress?
Krystal Telford: Do extracurricular activities help or hinder you?
Marie Menard: Is cloning ethical?
Mikey Dirnberger: Does the US have too much or not enough censorship?
Tyler Hilbun: Is common vigilantism ethical if today’s government failed but society continued?
Jose Noriega: Should illegal immigrants be given amnesty?
Room 401
Connor Healy: Which is more ethical: cremation or burial?
Dara Castellanos: Should states possess nuclear weapons?
Kaycee Cherry: Do teens obsess over video games?
Gabriel Anderson: Should the US have a nuclear arsenal?
Dominic Podzemny: Should industrial agriculture be the future of farming?
Lana Kimmel: Does art define a culture?
April Allen: Is social networking doing more harm than good?
Shannon Romero: Are schools killing creativity for elementary school students?
Stephanie Slater: Do terminally ill people have the right to die?
Michael Vrabel: What is the future of renewable energy?
Jessica Warren: What is beautiful?
Joseph Young: When the United States is engage in military conflict, should the needs of security supersede the conflicting claims of individual rights?
Room 405
Therese DeLanoy: Does body language and how we dress affect the outcome of a job interview?
Eric Eridon: What makes the ideal patriot?
Lorenzo Jiron: Is processed food a silent assassin?
Hannah Matins: Is it the contexts or the fanatics that makes religion dangerous?
Rachel Snyder: Is there an alternative to our present prison system?
Rachael Gray: Does stress lead to suicide?
Allen Austin: How do first player system games affect people?
Taran Bonn: What is love?
Brianna Gurule: What are the implications of interracial relationships?
Ellen Dauk & Amanda Simmons: Are humans becoming more intelligent?
Sarah Jane Novak: Is renewable energy worth it?
Room 407
Maris Daugherty: Brains vs. Beauty
Cullin Coyle: What are the implications of dimethyltrypatmine?
Alfonso Archuleta: Is the death penalty just?
Dakota Brown: How does music effect concentration on school work?
Alex Tracey: Are there any benefits in owning a dog?
Caleb Potter: Should the US join or be part of the International Criminal Court?
Lizzy Reader: Does music help or hurt your study habits?
Jacob Covell & Talynn Turner: What lies behind the secrecy of China’s government?
Meri Wacker: What motivates us?
Stormy Cave: How does music affect students’ academics?
Kat Romero: Should parents put the happiness and welfare of their children before their own?
Rose
Anna Maurice: Is a person’s diet detrimental to their health?
Max Cutter: What types of music help a person study?
Matthew Wells: Which is more believable: creation or evolution?
Dean Zamora: Death penalty or life sentence?
Cheyenne Johnson: Why are body modifications considered taboo?
Room 400
Jena Trautman: Is exorcism real or mental illness?
Ben Chitty: What can be gained through the practice of meditation?
Jonathan Chavez: Which is better for athletes: sports drinks or water?
Meredith Ueckert: Is there a link between unemployment and suicide?
Annie Quick: How does corruption play a role in society and major events?
James Clarke: Do science and religion have to be at odds with each other?
Dillon Crespi: What are the key factors in success?
AJ Martinez: Is euthanasia morally correct?
Jacob Miller: Should stem cell research be funded?
Conner Colson: What effects do speed limits have on society?
Sarah Rupert: Does Barbie have an influence on girls?
Room 402
Cameo Lambert: What makes high school students insecure?
Jessie Crawford: Should the government pardon criminals?
Colin Cave: What does the future hold for robotics?
Marc Lucero: What are the foundations of morals and actions, ie: reason vs. emotion?
Aaron Pianka: If we could control the weather, should we?
Josh Hodges: Is our need for expansion worth the price we pay?
Natalie Eberling: Stay at home moms v. work force moms?
Tanner Anderson: Should the consumption of alcohol be made illegal?
Kaitlin Maloy: Is the sport of rodeo cruel?
Nick Kennedy: Should the United States continue to act as the world’s peacekeeper?
Ivy Johnson: Are animal rights extremists taking things too far?
Room 403
Sara Scannapieco: Should bullies be held accountable for their victim’s reactions?
Jon Martin: What nation in the world has the best government?
Ben Sears: Is the USA PATRIOT ACT truly insuring American’s freedom?
Marissa Breslin: Should euthanasia be legal?
Gabriel Montano: Should we allow illegal immigrants to live and work in our society?
Maggie Plummer: Are humans capable of being selfless?
Katie Stubbs: Is there a future for coral reefs?
Skyler Munz-Raper: From where does our interest in zombies come from, how could they exist and what would we do if they did exist?
Ria Quintana: Is the fountain of youth ethical?
Jazmine Vigil: Should cyber-bulling be illegal in the United States?
9th
Thursday, April 7
Community Room
Shannon Hudson: In matters of poverty and violence should the USA take priority of our country over others?
Maggie Daugherty: Should spanking be considered child abuse?
Lacey Walker: Does education affect birthrate in a country?
Michael Gibbons: Should same sex marriage be legalized?
Shelby Allard: Should abortion rights be restricted in New Mexico?
Jon Kidner: How have the superfluous desires changed over the decades and centuries?
Room 401
Chris Simone: Should Spanish be the second language to the U.S.?
Bobby Fielder: Is the replacement of paper with technology beneficial to society?
Hannah Johnson: What is poverty and how should the US eliminate it?
Sydney Emmons: Do teen parents meet the needs of their children both mentally and emotionally?
Beth Derr: Do emotions help or hurt us in upholding our morals?
Audrey Campbell: Is declaring war on things like drugs, poverty, and terrorism effective?
Room 405
Hallie Brown: Should teens be allowed to seek birth control without parental consent?
Chris Golightly: Does the separation of Church and State still apply?
Quentin Roberson: What are the similarities among the beliefs (religious and mythologies) of Christians, Greeks, Egyptians, and Norse?
Christian Fowler: Does music radically affect teens?
Craig Martin: Are all humans prejudiced, if so why?
Mary Spanjers: What is the best form of energy acquisition?
Room 400
Olivia Greene: Should the government ban animal testing?
Jake Kelly: Are international adoptions positive or negative?
Andy Hotz: Should college athletes be paid?
P.J. Nyland: Is offshore drilling moral/ethical?
Rose Bauer: Do religious values affect marriage?
Room 402
Shelby Haney: Is anesthesia safe?
Phoebe Cummins: How will peak oil affect the world?
Amanda Bishop: Is it possible for cell phones to cause cancer?
Jake Cox: How do people’s opinions on abortion affect people’s opinion on cloning among other bioengineering feats?
Nate Wemple: Is it right for a government to control the growth of its nation’s population?
Christina Andrews: Did the USA really abolish slavery or did it just change form?
Room 403
Kevin Elrick: Is oil as bad as it is portrayed?
RJ Butler: Should the US use military action against Iran?|
Cole Sandin: How has technology affected friendship?
Christian Kegler: Which is better Ford or Chevy trucks?
Sami Griego: Should we be allowed to own exotic pets?
Hallie Simkins: Is the Bible reliable as a historical reference?
Tuesday, April 12
Room 306
Elliott Brinkley: Are the benefits of organic products worth the cost?
Liv Morgan: Are kids being pushed too hard to overachieve?
Emily Deater: Is it morally right to keep a disabled animal alive?
Morgan Blankenship: Should a mosque be built that close to Ground Zero?
Kaylee Nauer: Is it moral for animals to be used as test subjects?
Kayla Hansen: Are PETA’s efforts helping or hindering animal rights?
Room 401
Sariah Valenzuela: Should school start times be changed?
Morgan Salazar: Is illegal immigration alright?
Jenna Stoff: Does media have a more positive or negative effect on teens?
Mitch Lopez: How has the legalization of marijuana affected Amsterdam?
Larissa Larranaga: What impact does lack of education about child abuse have on society?
Alex Womble: What impact does teenage pregnancy have, and what are the causes?
Nicole Vanderwal: How are prescription drugs impacting society?
Community Room
Katie MacDonald: Should hunting be legal or illegal?
Heath Carey: Should the government monitor pesticide usage?
John Carter: Has the media gone too far in their advertisement for sex, drugs, and alcohol?
Mike Cave: Is cloning ethical?
Kate Barr: Do antidepressants really prevent suicidal thoughts or do they cause them?
Robert Garcia: Do the seven deadly sins influence our society?
Room 400
Tatianna Perlinski: What is wrong with New Mexico?
Gage Ahring: Should psychedelics be legalized for medical purposes?
Jeremiah Ryan: Will global warming affect the economy?
Zach Gebler: Should counting cards really be illegal?
Jason Angowski: Should it be a law to wear a helmet while snowboarding?
John Taher: How did the universe begin?
Room 402
Tim Moraga: Is hunting good or bad?
Eric Robbins: Is running barefoot really healthy?
Devin Gutierrez: Should the driving age be increased?
Sarah De Rochie: How far should you push your child to success?
Adam Martinez: Is boxing good or bad for you?
Sisco Ramirez: Do violent video games make kids violent?
Room 403
Aaron Wyatt: Should drivers over the age of 60 be required to re take a drivers test?
Austin Reed: Are guitar players who learn music theory better than those who don’t?
Sean Glover: Does your family inheritance affect your musical abilities?
Jess Green: At what age do we lose our imagination?
Katlin Riley: What effects does music have on people’s emotions/minds?
Wyatt McGill: Does the “You Drink You Drive You Lose” campaign really work?
Thursday, April 14
Community Room
Bella Santistevan: Are you born gay or made gay?
Rachael Corchine: What are the implications of body image?
Erin Fogarty: Do immunizations cause autism in children?
Andrew Humphries: Is our society moving in a good direction towards a healthy food diet?
Ashley Adams: Should sexual orientation determine a family?
Room 401
Noah D’Antonio: Will renewable energies help or hurt our economy?
Donovan Comer: Is the death penalty right or wrong?
Miles Meredith: Can religion affect the neurological structure of the brain?
Dylan Berryman: Should processed foods be allowed to be produced?
David Velazquez: Can torture ever be justified?
Room 402
Cassie Scott: Should we have age restrictions as to how young we allow adolescents birth control?
Kayla Haworth: Under what circumstances should abortion be necessary?Erin Thomas: Is the media promoting teen pregnancy?
Padric McCelvey: Should “magic mushrooms” be made illegal in New Mexico?
Tina Bentley: Is divorce the downfall of our nation?
Room 403
Lacey Jones: How does adoption affect a person?
Matt Hinojos: Should the U.S. be responsible for helping third world countries?
Shaylee Moore: Should religious conversations and teaching be allowed in school systems and districts?
Hunter Jacquez: Why do teens join gangs?
David Tapia: Should animals be used for medical research?
Room 402
Sam Urquidez: Do teens and adult differ in their drug and alcohol use?
Aaron Peace: Are robots taking over jobs in America?
Heather Riboni: Does Mozart make babies smarter?
Justin Martinez: Why do people hunt?
Stephany Gartshore: Why do teens and adults do drugs?
Other
Amaya McKenna: How does music affect people?
Noah Broomfield: Should fast food be blamed for obesity?