Types of Projects

The senior selects the topic for the project and creates an essential question with the guidance of the advisor. The essential question guides the project. All project must abide by the Lower Merion School District requirements for attendance in school and at any extra curricular activity. Speak to your advisor about any issue that you feel might require special attention or allowances.

Options and Examples:

Below are the broad options available to each senior. The examples are just that: examples. Use your imagination to plug your own passion into one of the examples.

Internship

Identify a business or industry that interests you. Seek out a placement with a local company.

Example project: Explore the inside of the business that attracts you by working as an intern in support of a company team.

Example essential question: How does a successful business person work on a team to advance the cause of a company’s strategic plan?

Example placement and activity: Find a placement with a local company who will allow you to work directly for one or more of their teams (within the guidelines of safety). Ask if some work can be completed independently.

Service Learning

Connect a service experience to an academic subject of your choice.

Example 1 project: Connect what you have learned about the importance of indigeneous flora in environmental science class to a service project for a local non-profit environmental organization.

Example 1 essential question: What is the importance of protecting indigenous flora and fauna?

Example 1 placement and activity: Participate in a service project at Riverbend Environmental Education Center that clears non-indigenous flora and learn why this is important. Ask if some work can be completed independently.

Example 2 project: Connect what you have learned in social studies class about food insecurity and discover that it is a real issue on the Main Line.

Example 2 essential question: What resources are needed to solve the problem of food insecurity on the Main Line and what can I do to help meet that need?

Example 2 placement and activity: Volunteer at a local food bank. Ask if some work can be completed independently.

Service Project

Identify a need in our community and volunteer at a non-profit that meets that need.

Example project: Libraries offer computer access to people who might not otherwise have that access, but these users might be unfamiliar with certain programs.

Example essential question: How can I use my knowledge of computers to help people research in a library setting?

Example placement and activity: Reach out to a Lower Merion library with a plan to troubleshoot and offer assistance to those using computers in the library.

Individual Research Option

Create a project that is independent in nature. Build a small business; research a scientific problem; write and direct a short film; put on a concert; put on an art show; create and produce an open-mic night; organize a youth basketball league; become an artists who creates and sells their art; get involved in local politics; use your imagination because these are only a few of the many possibilities, but any choice should be in the guidelines of safety.

Example project: Find a mentor who will help you explore your passion. Together create a project to learn more deeply about that passion. Perhaps your passion is in the field of sports and you want to create a virtual basketball tournament.

Example essential question: How do I create a virtual basketball tournament that allows for athletes to continue to train for that sport?

Example placement and activity: With the help of your mentor, develop an online basketball tournament that requires athletes to participate in physical activity while still sheltering at home. Perhaps it is a free throw contest for which each participant practices and then films. Ask if some work can be completed independently.