Senior Thesis Seminar Description
Course Overview
Students in the course earn .5 credits and meet every other day with the Senior Thesis Seminar adviser. Throughout the semester, students participate in lessons and activities that support them as they create and implement an independent project based upon a research topic of choice and engage in a community service/internship experience based on future career plans, service learning goals, or a creative area of interest.
Students will record these learning exercises, along with research skill activities, in their online Senior Thesis Project Portfolios. Students, in coordination with the adviser, a mentor, and peers, will develop a detailed organizational plan that will include project development, hands-on experience (if applicable), defined research, and a culminating presentation. Students are encouraged to be creative, to challenge themselves, and to use all of the skills they have learned throughout their educational journey at Springfield Township High School. This course values individual freedom and flexibility while maintaining high standards for achievement.
Course Objectives
As a result of the Pennsylvania Department of Education's Career Readiness Indicator Initiative, every student graduated by the School District of Springfield Township is responsible for completing the Senior Thesis Seminar course as part of their Senior Experience, as well as meeting the required 30 hours of service.
This project permits students to pursue interests as they explore the world outside of the classroom, demonstrating the skills they have gained during high school. In addition to the research component, students also will initiate and commit to a career exploration or community service experience. These individualized project paths can spark curiosity, cultivate talent, and help students develop self-understanding, all important as seniors prepare to move beyond high school.
Students will use their goal setting and problem-solving skills to define, plan, and create their own project presentations. As they research their topics, students will evaluate information and synthesize and analyze their findings. All students will maintain an online portfolio recording each step of their research and project (Google Folder). Finally, students will communicate their experiences and results through documented research and a culminating presentation (20-30 minutes in length, 80-100 visual slides).
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is essential for successful completion of the Senior Thesis Seminar. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Students whose work is confirmed to be plagiarized will fail the assignment. These students must redo the assignment. The zero for the initial plagiarized assignment will remain. Students should realize that any zero on an assignment may lead to failure of the course and failure to satisfy graduation requirements. Students are expected to complete assignments by the specified due date regardless of absence, whether excused or unexcused!