High schools across the country are implementing Senior Projects into their curricula as they realize that students need tangible experiences to prepare them for daily living, higher education, and the world of work. The Senior Project does just that as it gives students an opportunity to take stock of their skills, demonstrate problem-solving tactics, self-direct their learning, and realize decision-making capabilities and independence.
As students conclude the final year of high school, they often have only a graduation ceremony to mark the end of their educational experience s. The Senior Project offers a chance to bring closure to their high school years as they demonstrate that they are masters of their own learning and directors of their unique, individual futures.
In the beginning phase of the Senior Projects, students brainstorm and select an area of study to which they will devote a major portion of their senior year. Then, they write a research paper and spend at least twenty hours creating a related project. Once these two phases are completed, the students prepare a portfolio of their work and an oral presentation, which will be delivered to a pan of judges. In this final segment of the experience, the students will share what they have learned through the experience and answer questions concerning the work they have done.
The Physical Project:
Students go into action as they enter the project segment of the Senior Project. Here the student works independently to create a project that is an outgrowth of the research he or she has done. Essential in this phase is selecting a project, which challenges, the student and demonstrates a learning stretch. Therefore, the student should select something he or she has never done before or something that forces the student to build upon skills he or she already has.
Types of project fall into five major categories: however, students often combine types for a stronger project. The following types have been successful:
Physical Project: model of a roller coaster, computer program, fashion outfit, architectural design, collection of pottery
Written Project: Short story, book of poetry, novelette, journal of reflective essays
Performance: Choreography of dance, musical video, magic show, instrumental recital
Teaching or Leadership: Teach a middle school class about eating disorders, coach a little league team, start a tutorial group for students who are limited in English proficiency
Career-related: Job-Shadow a police officer and write a journal of experiences, volunteer at a local veterinarian clinic, view and document medical procedures (NOTE: simple shadowing without an extension of the experience is a lightweight project)
The Research Paper:
The Research paper teaches students the important skills of accessing information, problem solving, and time management as well as writing. For the Senior Project, students will write a three piece paper: Section One states what the student plans to research and why, Section Two is a documented research paper using MLA format, and Section Three a self-reflection on the student’s project.
The critical part of research is beginning with a viable yet challenging topic with which the student feels he or she can work for several months. The student must select a topic that is interesting and designed to meet his or her personal needs as well as lead to a related study and ultimately a cohesive presentation before a panel of judges.
The Senior Board Presentation
In this final phase, students will prepare a speech and visuals, which demonstrate the synthesis of the research and project phases and what self-growth they have experienced through the process. The speech, approximately 15-20 minutes in length, will be presented before a panel of judges who will evaluate the student’s presentation and answers in the question-and-answer period.