The QUEST framework

 The QUEST framework is the guidelines used for AP Capstone to help dissect what the classes are about and what will be learned. It provides a clear way for students and teacher alike to understand the curriculum of each class in the program. Students can develop better thinking skills that will help them answer complex problems and benefit them in their future careers. The Q stands for question and explore. This is made for students to help question what they have already learned and see what they haven't. Questioning starts a student's curiosity into studying an important topic and helps students to start exploring the subject of their choice. The U stands for understand and analyze. Understanding and analyzing texts about the topic helps set a foundation for a student's research and project. The U helps students to look at the works of authors and be able to identify what should be used as facts and what should be used as opinions. Many authors are bias or try to make a point for one side of the topic so understanding research and looking at both sides of an argument is a crucial part of the program. The E stands for evaluate multiple perspectives. This is an important part for a student because it helps them decide where they want to go with their research and what point they want to make. This step is helpful to remind students to look at both perspectives of a topic, so their argument or topic is more accurate and thoughtful. Looking at two different perspectives can have a big effect on a students past evaluation and makes their points more accurate for the future. The S stands for synthesize ideas. This means that students check to make sure their arguments make sense and that they are not plagiarizing. Looking at other people's ideas may help enlighten a student in different areas of their topic and find a deeper understanding for it. Also having students check each others work is a great way to bounce ideas off of one another and check for mistakes or holes in one of the arguments. Lastly, the T stands for team, transform, and transmit. The T helps students to see who will be getting their message and make adjustments based on the audience. Teaming with other students is a good way to get opinions on the argument and finalize it. A student can transform their argument by thinking and reflecting back on the research and opinions of others. The transmission of the information the student is giving is important and it is crucial that they make sure their presentation appeals to the audience they are targeting. Students can look in the perspective of their audience and revise their presentation from there. The T helps finalize the argument and makes sure the students get their message across.