Project Standards
THE SENIOR PROJECT
Topic Selection
“If we only knew that we could have anything we wanted we would set more goals.”
- Earl Nightingale
The Senior Seminar Project affords students the opportunity to investigate a unique problem and/or pursue individual interests; to display essential knowledge and achievement, and to demonstrate an integration and culmination of skills acquired during their total educational experience. To these ends, the project topic should be carefully considered.
Because the Senior Project is both time and work intensive (minimum 100 hours), the project topic should reflect a genuine interest of the student. Consideration should be given to student activities, curiosity, personal strength(s), and projects that could enrich the learning experience in other courses being taken at New Albany High School.
A project of the magnitude of the Senior Project will draw upon personal strengths in varying degrees. On the following pages different types of projects are listed with activities and possible products for each. You are strongly encouraged not to pursue camps (i.e. soccer), clinics (i.e. cheerleading), or other programs that are already in place, but rather make your project uniquely yours.
Any Senior Team member is available to conference with students to discuss topics for consideration or make suggestions for topic refinement. An appointment for such a conference may be made through the Senior Team member.
After the Project Proposal has been approved by the Senior Team, any changes or deviations from the approved project must be submitted for approval to the Senior Team.
THE LAST APPROVED PROPOSAL WILL BE THE STANDARD BY WHICH THE PROJECT WILL BE EVALUATED. CHANGES TO YOUR PROJECT WITHOUT FORMAL APPROVAL BY THE SENIOR TEAM MAY RESULT IN YOUR PROJECT BEING CONSIDERED INCOMPLETE.
Sample Project Topics, Activities, and Products
Sometimes it is difficult for students to "create" a project from something about which they are passionate--the key to any good project.
Below are some sample project topics, activities that might go along with the project, and a possible product. Please keep in mind that these are simply possibilities for projects/activities, and in no way are meant to be exhaustive in nature.
Your creativity and passion about your project will make your project succeed or not.
Project Focus Questionnaire
Instructions: Please take your time and answer the following questions completely and honestly.
Experiences
List any/all part-time jobs that you have held. Put an asterisk (*) next to the jobs that you really enjoyed the most.
Discuss some places that you have really enjoyed visiting (holiday, family vacations, summer camps, etc.).
Have you ever worked or volunteered at a youth camp, or worked with children? Did you enjoy it? What did you like best about it?
List any/all volunteer work (service learning) that you have completed. Do not just list the name of the organization, list a few of the responsibilities that you had while there. Put an asterisk (*) next to the work that you enjoyed the most.
Talents, Interests, and Hobbies
Do you have a particular interest, skill, or talent in a field such as drama, art or music? Describe your ability in detail.
Are you able to speak more than one language? List the language(s) and your ability level.
Do you enjoy cooking? Do you ever cook for your family? What is your favorite thing to make in the kitchen?
Have you taken advanced computer/technology classes? Do you have a talent or skill in this area? Discuss your abilities in the area of technology.
List awards (academic, sports, clubs, fine arts, etc.) that you have won while in high school.
Are you able to build or make things (woodworking, welding, sewing, home repair, making motors/engines, working with cars)? Discuss in detail.
Do you garden, enjoy working outside, or enjoy studying nature? Discuss in detail.
Do you keep a journal? Do you write poetry or stories?
Do you enjoy taking photographs? If so, what kind (people, nature, sports, etc.)?
Do you enjoy being around young children (babysitting, camps, teaching or coaching)?
Do you enjoy personal growth and learning new skills? What have you always wanted to know how to do or learn about?
What do you enjoy in your spare time? What activities do you like the best?
Memberships, Clubs, Affiliations
List all clubs (including your NAHS club) in which you are a member.
Do you (or anyone in your immediate family) belong to any community organizations (such as Lions Club, Rotary Clubs, Scouts, 4-H, etc.)? Please list.
Are you a member of a political party or any government organization? Do you volunteer or work for that group during election times?
Are you a member of a youth group, teen activity group, or sport club? If so, please list.
Do you or does anyone in your family have specific affiliations with a business (profit or non-profit) that interests you?
Academics and the High School Experience
Thinking back on all of the classes that you have taken at the high school (or college) level, what class did you enjoy the most? Why?
Thinking back on all of the classes that you have taken at the high school (or college) level, what class did you enjoy the least? Why?
What subjects do you find the most challenging? Do you like being challenged?
What subjects come easily to you? Do you think that the class was just too easy or did the material just come naturally to you?
What sport teams have you participated on while in high school? What was your favorite and why?
What was your favorite book to read? Why did you like it?
Do you ever tutor other students or help in study groups?
What areas of strength do you have according to any standardized/national tests that you have taken (ACT, SAT, AP tests, etc.)?
Life After High School
Do you have any particular career dreams or aspirations? Discuss in detail.
What work setting do you see for yourself? Will you be in a business atmosphere? Science lab? Routine work or flexible work? Travel a lot? Stay close to home? Field work?
Dressing up nicely every day? Wearing jeans to work? Be in charge or yourself? Have others guided you? Discuss the work atmosphere where you would feel most comfortable.
Will you be going to college after high school or starting a career?
Do you have ideas about what you will major in or what your job after high school will be?
Do you know where you want to live after you graduate (stay in the area, travel to Europe, move to NYC etc.)?
Do you enjoy working with, being around people or do you prefer working alone?
The Senior Project
Do you already have ideas for a senior project? List and discuss.
With the understanding that the list of questions above should be helping you to find interests and talents that could be developed, what general areas do you feel would work best for you (Talents? Academics? Hobbies? Clubs?). Why do you feel that?
Are there any areas that seem to really jump out at you (even if you can’t think of a project to associate with it)? Something you have always wondered about or wanted to try? Write these ideas down.
Are there any areas that appeal to you that could help you in your field of interest for college or a career? Read over your career or college aspirations-what could you do to work in that area (for your project)?
Project Standards And Grading
Because students are encouraged to stretch their thinking and create original work, final standards for individual projects are always determined between the student and the primary advisor. For your convenience, and to provide clear expectations, general project topics have been determined and common standards developed. These standards are to be considered the minimum standards required to complete such projects. However, you may feel free to “add to” these standards that are already given.
All projects will adhere to one of these standards when writing a proposal. Be sure to include the specific details of your project’s standard in your proposal. Click on a project standard to get more information.