Group projects usually include a poster board science project or Power Point presentation, but in Amy May’s Texas Performance Standards Project class junior Camila Garcia and senior BJ Stephens are collaborating to create a fashion website and seniors Briel Madler and Galilea Monterroso are working together to plan an outdoor movie night.

The TPSP class is designed to be the high school version of a master’s thesis. The students spend one semester doing in-depth collegiate-level and professional-level research into any field of their choosing, then they spend the second semester developing a professional-level product in that field.

“BJ wants to make his own business selling clothes,” Garcia said. “He’s a really stylish guy so taking pictures of some models wearing outstanding outfits for his site was a perfect opportunity for me to capture something for my online portfolio.”

At the end of the year students enrolled in TPSP give a 45 minute presentation on their individual project they worked on throughout the year to a panel of judges from their field. While the projects in these few cases are linked, during their presentations the students will spotlight their contribution to the project overall.

“I was pleased when the students approached me with the idea of combining their talents,” May said. “It is my goal in this class that each student network and increase their skills by working with others; the fact that this can be achieved between classmates is a fun added bonus. I really look forward to seeing how everything turns out.”

Monterroso and Madler’s product will benefit the deaf community, by raising funds for Monterroso’s non-profit organization, Generous Palms.

“Galilea brings the cause and I bring the experience and research of putting on the event,” Madler said. “The project involves a silent auction, a movie and concessions.”

In the end the students will measure their success by their partner’s satisfaction and the professionalism of the product.

“I want to be satisfied with the outcome of the pictures,” Garcia said. “There is no greater feeling that being satisfied with your own work and that’s when I know I’m successful. BJ being happy with the products is a bonus, too.”