Senior Thesis
Springfield Township High School
Course Overview
Semester 2 2025- 2026
Introductions
Eric Gershman
Maple Glen, PA
Wife: Andrea
Children: Jordan (21), Jules (19), Avi (17)
Temple University: B.A. in English Literature
Arcadia University: M.A. in Secondary Education
Years at high school: 27
Yearbook Advisor: Since 2000
Other Professional Work:
The Teaching with Primary Sources Program at the University of the Arts
The Teaching with Primary Sources Program at the University of the Art
COURSE SUMMARY
>Students will complete the entire research component of Senior Thesis Seminar, consisting of select topic, targeted resources, and cumulative building
>Students will accumulate between 10 service hours (community service, career exploration/internship and/or an art experience)
>Students will present their research and service experiences via end-of-semester formal oral presentation/speech/dissertation to their peers.
Service
>Community Service
>Career Exploration
>Creative Art Experience
All students will complete the following:
Research
Students must demonstrate proficiency in their ability to apply, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information, and communicate significant knowledge and understanding.
All students will complete the following:
• Annotated Bibliography (at least 15 research sources)
• Digital Google Drive portfolio
• Thesis Argument Organizer and detailed outline of research in support of thesis
• Google Slide Presentation and Live Presentation to Peers
Final Presentation
All students will present their culminating research and service experiences. Students will incorporate the following into their final presentations: (approx. 30 minutes minimum)
• Google Slide Presentation (minimum 50-80 content and development slides)
• Thesis and Supportive Arguments based on Research explication and documentation
• Evidence from a variety of text and digital sources (Senior Thesis LibGuide)
•Service and Research Description and Reflection (if it applies to research topic)
• All other images, videos, information, etc. pertaining to student’s research or project experiences. Citations and attribution of evidence is a requisite and continued expectation
Sample Cover Slides of Past Presentations
REFORM OF
American
Infrastructure
Teddy Baughan
The Complexities of Sequential Art
Shahaan Shah
Senior Thesis
Spring 2021
Final Thesis Presentation
Poverty in the United States
THE
EFFECTS
OF
SKATEPARKS
POSITIVE
Stem Cells: Medical miracles
Jasmine Jain
Senior thesis, Spring June 4, 2021
B block, day 2
14
SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE
BY DAVID IMREDY
Negative Effects of Social Media
On Teenagers
Rileigh Serroni
Senior Thesis
A Block, Day One
Mr. Gershman
June 1, 2020
M U S I C T H E R A P Y:
A P O W E R T O H E A L
Abby baughan
Senior seminar
Mr. gershman
June 1st, 2020
The Fall of Communism in Czechoslovakia
Hannah Schermer
Senior Thesis A Block, Day 2
Spring 2021
Global Gender Inequality
Charlotte Bleemer
Former Thesis Topics of Interest:
Commercial Fishing and Global Impact
The Effects of "screen time" on Children in Society
Marketing and Advertising in a Paperless World
Drug Use and Opioid Crisis
Federalism and the Executive Order
Protest Music
History of Comics: Tradition and Folklore
Physics and Mathematics Behind Music
Social Impact of Hip Hop Music
Virtual Reality and Its Applications
The New Left Political Movement and the Students for a Democratic Society
The Social Psychology of Group-Think/Behavior
Classical Antiquities/Battles and Armour
Fashion and Culture: Weaving a Common Thread throughout History
American Music and Culture
The Science of Addiction
Racism in America
The Foster Family of Modern Gangs
Cultural Appropriation
Inked 4000 BC to 2018: Tattooing as an Art Form
Course Expectations
Attendance: Day One/Day Two Schedule
Grading: Point Value System. Students accrue points based on best practices and adherence to goals and expectations of each performance task (in-class and at-home research work)
Supplies: Course Schoology/Drive Portfolio/Library Databases for Research/An open and engaged mind/course notebook and folder
Questions
Contact me via email: eric_gershman@sdst.org
Headquarters: Lower House Room 11 (1st floor, Lower House)