River Hitt HicH SCHOOL HOWARD COUNTY ETT Punic scr 1101 Clarksville Pike + Clarksville, MD 21029 + 410-313-7120 «(F) 410-313-7406 + wwvwehepssong/hhs STEN Gifted and Talented Program Product Abstract Each student in the Independent Research Program must carry out an authentic, advanced research project, which is capable of evaluating in quality, authenticity, and novelty. The following information, written by the student, provides an overview of the project. Student; Laurel Pulford Date: June 8, 2016 Research Tit Depression Among Us: The Great Student Need for Education Purpose: To understand components to an adolescent depression prevention program and understand the emotional preparedness of Howard County high school seniors for college Expected Product or Outcome: Presentations to Board of Education increased administrative awareness of their student's emotional failures in college Novelty of Product: Multiple studies have been performed on the effectiveness of different adolescent depression prevention programs but none have been performed with the specific purpose to research the effectiveness of different factors, Furthermore, a study was performed in 2015 by Herris Poll in order to better understand high school graduate’s experiences in their final year of hhigh school and their frst term in college. This research implemented a similar survey to find the emotional preparedness of specifically Howard County graduates. Audience: The intended audience of the product is administration who could make policy changes toward the implementation of an adolescent depression prevention program. Students under the threat of adolescent depression are targeted as well. Guidance counselors and parents also could make changes in the students’ lives to aid their emotional development. Process: Steps Taken to Complete the Project as of 6/8/2016 1. Intensively gathered information on adolescent depression, adolescent depression prevention and intervention programs and factors that make them effective, and the necessity of the implementation of a prevention program on basis of age group from multiple scientific journals, 2, Secured advisors: Heather Freed, the executive director for Erika’s Lighthouse, a non-profit organization seeking to increase adolescent awareness of teen depression, and Dr. Konstantin Cigularov PhD, Assistant Professor in Industral- Organizational Psychology and Occupational Health Psychology at Old Dominion University, 3. Conducted interviews with Dr. Jonathan Solomon, school psychologist, Heather Freed, and Dr. Konstantin Cigularov. 4. Produced a synthesis paper using research and interviews. 5, Reccreated and distributed survey from 2015 Harris Poll of first-year college students? experiences targeting Howard County graduates, Received 125 responses total, $0 responses from Howard County graduates, 6. Analyzed and organized data into a concise, eye-catching display board 7. Presented key findings and conclusions to Howard County Board of Education aa) sovocsoumne hs bende students Signature, Lace” ZZ / ( 2017