Blackman High School Collegiate Academy students share research projects

December 18, 2024 

 

By MEALAND RAGLAND-HUDGINS 

Rutherford County Schools 

 

December 18, 2024 

 

By MEALAND RAGLAND-HUDGINS 

Rutherford County Schools 

 

Students participating in the Collegiate Academy at Blackman High School got the chance to show off months of research with a special event. 

 

Founded in 2014, the BCA offers a college prep program for students at Blackman. Coursework includes Advanced Placement classes in addition to dual enrollment courses offered by Middle Tennessee State University, BCA’s founding partner. 

 

The 64 students in the BCA Class of 2025 presented their projects to peers and others at the 10th annual Capstone Symposium. Topics included health care access in rural areas, bullying, severe weather education and student leadership, to name a few. 

 

Blackman Collegiate Academy Dean Kim Baumann with members of the Class of 2025.

 

“This is a big night for them,” Principal Justin Smith said. “They come up with amazing topics and spend a semester diving into them. They’re an extremely dedicated and diligent group of students.” 

 

Senior Emma Dickerson’s project focused on using puppetry and art to support students with intellectual disabilities. 

 

Emma Dickerson

 

“I wanted to be a teacher for so long and I had so many people telling me that I shouldn’t for various reasons,” she said. “So I got into graphic design, but through this project, I realized how much I love teaching, so my focus will be art education.” 

 

To learn more about the BCA, visit https://bhs.rcschools.net/, click on Academics and select Blackman Collegiate Academy from the list.