LION Charter School was selected as one of 23 schools in New York State and one of four in New York City to take part in the PLAN Pilot. The program explores innovative approaches to make learning more engaging and prepare students for college, careers, and life beyond the classroom. As part of the Inquiry-Based Approaches network, LION focuses on helping students explore their curiosity through research and real-world experiences.
Mr. Fusco’s AP Research class brings this approach to life. “AP Research gives students the chance to take ownership of their learning,” Fusco explained. “They choose a topic that matters to them and build the skills to study it in depth.” The curriculum mirrors the kind of work students will do in college, pushing them to think critically and communicate their ideas with confidence. “It’s a challenge for the 16 to 18 year olds who take it on, but also a unique opportunity to do a deep dive into something they truly love,” he added.
That spirit of exploration shows in their projects. Students have studied topics from gender stereotypes in manga to the evolution of “The Exorcist” movies and even hosted a fashion show to analyze clothing trends. Recently, the class took their learning off campus to study how Brooklyn’s DUMBO neighborhood has changed over the past forty years.
