Voyager Academy High School Project Exhibition Day, March 23, 2026
4302 Ben Franklin Blvd.
Durham, NC 27704
Home of the Vikings
WELCOME!
(click here for a printable version)
We are happy that you came. Together we celebrate Project Based Learning at Voyager Academy High School.
What to ask...
To help guide you through exhibits, and to be a participant in the learning process, please feel free to ask students any of the following questions:
- What was the driving question for the project?
- What prior knowledge did you need to complete the project?
- What was the entry event for the project/how did the teacher present the idea of the project to you?
- How long did you have to complete the project?
- How did the project relate to a real world issue/topic?
- How would you change the project for future classes?
Chinese Market!
Rm: A148
Honors Chines IV, Dennis Baker
Driving Question(s)
怎么做买卖？(How to do business?)
Description
Come to the Chinese Market (bring cash)! All of our sellers/vendors will only speak Chinese, but don't worry! We'll have a team of Translators there to help you interpret, negotiate, etc.! All proceeds will be be donated to the Durham Rescue Mission.
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Capturing Our School's Story
Rm: A149
Yearbook, Anna Todd
Driving Question(s)
How can we create a yearbook that truly reflects the diversity, achievements, and spirit of our school community?
Description
Come for a sneak peek at pages from the 2026 yearbook and make sure to order your copy!
The yearbook is a commemorative publication that captures and preserves the memories, achievements, and spirit of the school year. Students engage in various roles including writing, photography, graphic design, and editorial decision-making. The course emphasizes real-world applications of journalism and publishing, encouraging collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. Students research, plan, and execute the yearbook, capturing the diverse stories, achievements, and spirit of the school community.
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Reanimating the Sublime: A Frankenstein Found Poetry Inquiry
Rm: A149
AP Literature, Anna Todd
Driving Question(s)
How can we reanimate the "found" fragments of Shelley’s prose to explore the enduring conflict between human ambition and the laws of Nature?
Description
This project plan is designed as a PBL (Project-Based Learning) unit for an AP English Literature or Honors-level classroom. It shifts the original "Found Poetry" assignment into a rigorous, student-driven inquiry into Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and the philosophical roots of Romanticism.
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Put it Back: The End of African American Erasure
Rm: A150
African American Lit Honors, Andre Ross
Driving Question(s)
What are the dangers and impacts of removing history and culture from society? What significance does African American history and culture have in our society?
Description
With recent developments in our society, students voted this year to focus our project on educating the community. Students have worked in groups to recreate recently removed African American exhibits from museums around the country. Students explored reasons for removal, what information was removed, and what impact did the removal of the information have on our society.
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Career Literacy Connections
Rm: A151
English II, Evan Greaves
Driving Question(s)
How do literacy and language skills apply to my career options or goals?
Description
Students used Pathful to research careers they are interested in and researched how language and literacy skills apply to their career goals or options. We invite attendees to participate by completing our Attendee Survey (see QR code in A151) to see how language and literacy skills apply to their careers.
CLICK HERE (or see QR code in rm A151)
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Between the Lines: Discovering Meaning Through Literature
Rm: A152
ENG I Honors, Amy Scott
Driving Question(s)
How can we use literary analysis to uncover deeper truths about characters, conflicts, and the world around us?
Description
Over the past two months, students engaged in a collaborative book club experience, beginning with teacher-led book talks and ending with polished analytical essays. After selecting novels, students read them and participated in weekly discussions to explore key ideas, character development, emerging themes, etc. They then dove deeper into literary analysis, examining how authors use elements such as symbolism, conflict, and point of view to convey meaning.
Using this analysis, students developed thesis statements, structured essays, and refined their writing through multiple rounds of self-reflection and peer feedback. The final pieces you’ll see today represent not only their understanding of literature, but also their growth as critical thinkers, collaborators, and writers. At this exhibition, students invite you to look beyond the surface of the stories they’ve read.
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Sponsored Politics: Unveiling the Influence of Money in Elections
Rm: B118
US Government - Civics, Steven Gatlin
Driving Question(s)
If politicians were required to publicly display their top donors like NASCAR drivers, how would this impact voter perception and political accountability?
Description
Students will investigate the role of money in politics by researching campaign contributions to our elected representatives. They will analyze donor influence and create a visual representation of their congressperson wearing "sponsorship" logos or names of their top donors. Come see our mannequin representations of top NC elected officials in their "NASCAR" racing suits.
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Navigating the US
Rm: B119
Math 4, Ken Boyer
Driving Question(s)
How can I use trigonometry to navigate?
Description
Students take a tour of the US, navigating using trigonometry, collecting information and souvenirs along the way, and ultimately reflecting on the role of AI in PBL.
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Desmos Art Project
Rm: B130
Math 3, Honors Math 3, Christian Gloade
Driving Question(s)
How can I use functions to model a work of art?
Description
Students will use the online graphing calculator Desmos to recreate a work of art using various piecewise functions to model a picture. Students must use a minimum of 50 equations and 8 different families of functions in their artwork. Come check out the amazing final projects and have students show you how it's done!
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Desmos Linear Functions Project
Rm: B133
Math I, Tricia Higdon
Driving Question(s)
How can I create digital art from linear equations?
Description
Students draw an image using diagonal, vertical, and horizontal lines. Students write and enter linear equations into Desmos.com to recreate their image digitally. Come check out their amazing creations.
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Plates on thee Move!
Rm: C112
Earth Science, Chonzette Dawkins
Driving Question(s)
How do interactions between Earth's tectonic plates shape the surface of our planet?
Description
The clay models demonstrate how Earth’s tectonic plates move and interact at different types of boundaries. Students explored divergent, convergent, and transform boundaries to understand how these interactions shape Earth’s surface and cause geologic events like earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain formation.
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Chickens everywhere!
Rm: C113
Honors Chemistry, Lori Fortkort
Driving Question(s)
How does the chemistry of the eggshell protect a developing chicken?
Description
Students have expressed a desire to hatch chicken eggs and learn more about the chemistry of the eggshells. We started with 48 eggs in three incubators and ended up with 9 viable chickens. Students named their eggs then followed the process for 21 days. We candled eggs to see which were fertilized and then discovered that not all of them were strong enough to survive.
The main component of the eggshell is calcium carbonate. While students learned about ions and ionic bonds in class, they also learned about the properties of ionic compounds in this process. We will soon be conducting some chemical reactions involving calcium carbonate and acid. The results of these experiments will help students connect chemistry with other familiar materials (like marble buildings and gravestones) which are similar to eggshells because they are also composed of calcium carbonate.
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Ologies! Interview A Scientist Podcast Style
Rm: C115
Honors Biology, Amelia Punt
Driving Question(s)
How can we use real scientific communication skills to investigate a scientist’s work and share their story through a podcast or interview?
Description
When asked to name careers in science, most people think of doctors and chemists. But there are scientists around the world that study everything from bleach to lizards! In this project, students listened to three episodes of the podcast “Ologies”, where the host sits down and interviews different scientists. After reviewing these episodes, students created their own. Students could either interview a local scientist and record the conversation or they could research, predict, and record how a famous scientist would answer their questions.
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Shake, rattle and let's all come together --or apart!!
Rm: C116
Earth Science, Althea Williams
Driving Question(s)
How do Earth's plates move at various boundaries to create earthquakes and volcanic activity?
Description
Students will be creating models and trifolds to demonstrate what they have learned about tectonic plates movement and volcanic activity.
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NC Beta Club Convention Projects and Presentations
Rm: Commons
Beta Club, Lori Fortkort and Max Puhala
Driving Question(s)
Create a project based on the theme "Wired on Success"
Description
Come to the Commons to check out our own Voyager Beta Club Convention! Voyager Beta Club students participated in various events and performances including marketing, engineering, visual arts, and more! All projects were submitted as part of a statewide competition, with Voyager students taking home awards in academic tests and performing arts.
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The Solution Summit: Building a Better Workplace
Rm: Commons
English 4 , Darryl Patterson
Driving Question(s)
How can you use your unique skills to solve a real-world problem that affects your community or future career?
Description
The world is changing, and every career field is facing new challenges. Students had to find a real-world problem and design a "hands-on" solution. They had to create an Interactive Innovation Booth featuring a 3D model that allows their audience to see, touch, and experience your fix. It’s time to move beyond the textbook and into the boardroom.
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Building Your Own Business Project
Rm: D121
Economics and Personal Finance, Christian Tardieu
Driving Question(s)
How do businesses/entrepreneurs enter the market/economy ensure financial success while putting together the 4 factors of production?
Description
Create their own business plan to sell a product to the public. Students were to think about what product they want to sell (or a business they want to start). After deciding what product they want to sell, they were to create a business plan to present to an investor willing to invest $100,000 in the “right” business. While creating a business plan, they had to put together the 4 factors of production (Land, Labor, Capital, Entrepreneurship) and factor in the costs of putting them together to create a successful business.
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I Have A Vision!
Rm: D123
Career Management & Marketing, Altrenna Patterson
Driving Question(s)
How can I visualize my goals, values, and passions to create a roadmap for my future?
Description
Students were allowed to use poser boards, scissors, markers, color pencils, magazines and printed images to interpret and express their personal awareness and goals.
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The Winning Interview Blueprint
Rm: D125
Employment Preparation 1-4, Jamie Brown
Driving Question(s)
What strategies and skills are needed to succeed in a job interview?
Description
This project focuses on preparing students for successful job interviews by building essential professional skills. Students will learn how to dress appropriately, prepare effectively before an interview, and respond confidently to common interview questions. Through practice and demonstration, they will develop the knowledge and confidence needed to make a strong, positive impression on potential employers.
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Afro-Latino Wax Museum
Rm: D126
Spanish II; Spanish I, Tiffany K. Chavis
Driving Question(s)
How have famous Latinos preserved authenticity at the intersectionality of Latinidad and Afro cultures?
Description
Students researched Afro-Latinos and the pride that they showcase in their disciplines/art, pride that is a symbol of the preservation and commemoration of both cultures.
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Taking it from 2D to 3D
Rm: E124
Art, Kelly LaVette
Driving Question(s)
What drawing techniques will create the illusion of depth on a flat surface?
Description
Students will explain and demonstrate observational drawing techniques that help to create an illusion of depth in their artwork. The main techniques introduced will be how to draw an Ellipse (aka a laying down circle) and adding the cross-contour lines of an object to show volume.
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States Road Trip Project
Rm: E135
Hambrick, Sarah Hambrick
Driving Question(s)
As a travel agent, how would you "sell"people on visiting the state you researched?
Description
Students are researching different states around the U.S. and creating a poster, a write up, and a brochure to show how enticing it would be to visit this state. These elements all promote how they, as the representative travel agent, would convince others to visit and enjoy what this state has to offer.
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World History Country Road Trip Project
Rm: E135
World History , Sarah Hambrick
Driving Question(s)
World History
Description
Students are researching different countries around the world and creating a poster, a write up, and a brochure to show how enticing it would be to visit this country, and how they, as the representative travel agent, would convince others to visit and enjoy what this country has to offer.
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A Blast from the Past
Rm: E141
Spanish 2, Deja Price
Driving Question(s)
What were our teachers like growing up?
Description
Students have interviewed Voyager staff and created a "senior ad" in their honor about their lives and upbringing. Visitors are able to read about the childhood and early lives of several Voyager staff members while also playing a fun game of "Who am I?" by matching the baby photo to the story of the employee. Results will be revealed in the last 15 minutes.
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Don't Sweat the Stress: Coping for the Modern Student
Rm: GYM
Health and Physical Education , Alexandra Kehoe
Driving Question(s)
How can I create an informative, personal and fun video reminding myself, and others, of positive coping strategies one can use to prevent and reduce stress?
Description
Students had to create a video explaining what stress is, how it affects the body, the importance of using coping strategies and provide an explanation of their own coping techniques.
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Viking Strong: Mastering Skill-Related Fitness
Rm: GYM
Strength Training, Alexandra Kehoe
Driving Question(s)
How can athletes use targeted skill-related fitness exercises to unlock their full physical potential and improve their performance on the field/court?
Description
Students will produce a comprehensive instructional video focusing on a specific skill-related fitness component (power, speed, reaction time, balance, coordination, or agility). The video must include a formal definition of the component, a demonstration of targeted exercises with precise coaching cues, and specific training variables—including sets, repetitions, and time intervals—while justifying how each movement enhances athletic performance.
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You're the Lifestyle Coach
Rm: GYM
Health & Physical Education, Mike Huff
Driving Question(s)
What factors are involved in lifestyle change.
Description
Students apply the nutritions, physical fitness, and mental health knowledge they have learned to create a program for a "friend" to lose 20 pounds and get more fit. Students learn how to read nutrition labels and find dietary information for different foods, then create a more healthy, progressive diet plan. Students also create a weekly fitness plan of progressing intensity. Students must also understand how mental health affects the lifestyle change process.
The information was compiled then put into either a creative slide presentation or a journal.
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Bull City Lights and Sound | Illusions
Rm: Lobby
Bull City Lights (Show Choir), Chance Gates
Driving Question(s)
N/A
Description
Watch and hear the HS Show Choir and Show Band at our latest performance!
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Spring Play & Dance Performance
Rm: Lobby
Theatre Arts 1, 2, 3, Dance 1, Dance 2, Molly Paradis
Driving Question(s)
N/A
Description
Find a poster in the hallway and purchase tickets for our spring production taking place on May 8th & 9th at the PAC!
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