Senior Project
What is the Senior Project?
One requirement of the BHS Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Program is the successful completion of a senior project. The project starts with a 40+ hour internship in an area of STEM the student is interested in to gain technical, hands-on experience. Areas of interest range from laboratory work, design projects, medical case studies, computer engineering, botany projects and much more!
Seniors than take a capstone class the fall of their senior year that guides them in the art of technical paper writing, designing a eye-catching poster and preparing a presentation that all comes together for one night at the Senior STEM Presentation Night.
The Benefits
Like the rest of the STEM Program, the Senior Project is meant to challenge and engage students in real-world focused work. The project gives students an opportunity unlike other programs to experience hands-on work in local businesses and to increase their professional network before they leave high school.
The project is also a way for students to facilitate and practice professional skills like technical writing, presenting, problem-solving, teamwork and accountability. The class is largely student-motivated and driven and lets students experience post-high school like work environments. While there is support and guidelines built into the course, it is an opportunity for students to be independent and learn how they work under "real-world" expectations.
Take a look at past projects from graduates of the STEM Program!
Requirements
The student will learn and apply the basic skills of research and problem solving. The student will design a final project that may answer a research question or theoretical problem.
The major requirements are:
A passion for the area of the project
A direction/focus or research question guiding the internship
Approval from the STEM coordinator for the mentor & project
A minimum of 40 mentor-directed hours
Synthesis of experience detailed in technical paper & formal presentation
Complete log of evidence of the project
