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Senior Project Vail School District has joined a growing number of districts across the country to require a senior project before graduating from high school. Within the district, schools can set their own requirements. At Vail High School , our standards and expectations are high, and students are encouraged to begin thinking about their senior project as early as possible. What is Senior Project? Excerpts from the national Senior Project website, http://www.seniorproject.net/ Nationally and regionally recognized, the Senior Project, a high school capstone requirement, blends traditional core and performance-based skills in a unique and rigorous exit program. Graduating seniors are required to demonstrate not only what they know but also what they can do . Established almost 2 decades ago, the award-winning Senior Project advocates a pivotal requirement in the senior year. States, districts, and high schools focused upon restructuring, raising high school standards, and actively engaging all seniors in a challenging and relevant educational process incorporate the Senior Project program. Clearly, all high school graduates need a strong, basic skill foundation. State assessments drive and underscore that focus. However, shouldn't the same graduates also be able to independently demonstrate an application of those skills (and other skills not tested, i.e., time management etc.) within the context of the real world? Though high stakes exit tests may be a step along the way to a diploma, Senior Project High Schools advocate each graduating senior must, also, competently complete a final rigorous, relevant skill application before the high school diploma is earned. Senior Project High Schools put the results of state testing into action. What is involved in the Senior Project? The Senior Project consists of three (3) main parts. The Research Paper : a seven to ten page paper with a variety of reference types including an interview with an expert in their field. The Paper is due in early December and graded by graduate students in writing at the University of Arizona . The purpose of the research paper is to show that students can do extensive research using a variety of reference types, and can write a comprehensible report that passes close scrutiny as to style, language and word choice, grammar, and mechanics. The paper should not be strictly biographical or historical, but should attempt to prove a thesis statement with research. This part of the project will help prepare students for the eventual reports, both oral and written, that they will be expected to complete in business or college. The Portfolio : a comprehensive, exhaustive documentation of the actual project completed by the student. Due in April, it is graded by the faculty and staff of Vail High School . The portfolio has several prescribed elements, but otherwise is a documentation of all that the student does before, during, and after the project. A log of activities is required which should be initialed by a parent or your mentor. A minimum of 24 hours is required for the project, but most students will put in considerably more time. The portfolio will include an updated résumé that the student can use for future job applications, and will also have a section for awards and honors the student has earned throughout their school career. The Presentation : an opportunity for the student to explain to others what their project was and what they learned from doing it. Also due in April, it is graded by a panel of teachers, parents and community members. The presentation is between 7 and 10 minutes long, and includes a time for questions by the panel. Students can invite their family and friends to be with them during the presentation, and will “dress up” for the occasion. They are presenting themselves as well as their project, and want to appear as professional as possible. The students can show off to the school, press, and others at a “Senior Showcase” the week after the presentations. After this event, the seniors are done with the project and can concentrate on final exams and graduation. Frequently Asked Questions about Senior Project Q1. Do I have to do a senior project in order to graduate? A1. Yes. The Vail School District School Board has made the Senior Project a requirement for graduation for all students who attend a district high school. Q2. My son/daughter transferred in to the Vail School District this year. Do they still need to do a senior project? A2. Yes. See Q1. Q3. Can students do a team project? A3. Team projects are discouraged. Students are able to work with another student if the project requires cooperation (i.e. a band), but each student MUST have their own research paper, their own portfolio, and do their own presentation. Each student will have a different “angle” on the project, i.e., one could do research on what it takes to get into the recording industry; another could do a project on sound engineering, and so on. Q4. The project I have in mind will take some money. Does the school provide any financial support? What if I don't have the money? A4. You are encouraged to do a project that will take a minimal amount of money. Your teacher/advisor and parents will be able to steer you in the right direction if it sounds like your idea will cost too much. However, if this is something you really want to do, you are encouraged to solicit financial backing much the same way an entrepreneur gets money for a new endeavor: by seeking financial supporters who believe strongly in what you are going to do. Local businesses have been known to contribute money to help support student projects, especially if it is something where they can receive some positive advertising in the community. In addition, parents, friends, relatives can donate TAX DEDUCTIBLE money to the Vail School District , specifically designating it to an individual student's project and you can be reimbursed for your expenses. Q5. What if I get sick, or some emergency comes up and I can't complete the project? A5. Students will have to get a waiver from the School Board in order to graduate without completing a project. Significant evidence of progress before the emergency will have to be demonstrated in order to even consider credit. Q6. So there's really no way out of this? A6. No. See Q1. Q7. I know that next year all seniors will be in a class called “Senior Project”. Do we have to attend this class, and what will we do there? A7. Attendance is mandatory for all graduating seniors in an Advisor Base period called “Senior Project”. This class will meet twice a week for about 45 minutes. During this time, you will get advice and encouragement from your Senior Project advisor/teacher. You will need to provide regular evidence that you are making progress on your project, and can use the computer lab when needed. You can ask for help on the research paper or building the portfolio. You will practice your oral presentation. Lots of things will be happening, especially at certain times of the year. In addition, some of your senior English class time will be spent guiding you through the research paper process. Q8. Do you have a timeline for when parts of the project will be due? A8. Tentatively, here is what you can expect at specific times: Q9. What is a mentor and why do I need one? A9. You will need to find a mentor who is an expert in what you are doing. This person is needed to guide you and give you direction, knowledge, and contacts. Success in this world is many times a matter of who you know, not just what you know, and a mentor can help you not only with your project, but also with attaining your future goals. The mentor can be a friend, community contact, or family member. Q10. Can a parent act as my mentor? A10. In some cases. For example, if you are building a Habitat for Humanity home and your father is the construction supervisor, he can act as your mentor. We encourage you, however, to find someone in the community other than parents who will act as your mentor. Q11. What if I don't do a project or I don't pass all the requirements for the project? A11. You will not receive a diploma if you do not successfully complete a Senior Project. However, you will be given opportunities to do-over parts that were not acceptable before graduation. Q12. How will the project be graded? A12. You will receive a grade on each part of the senior project: the research paper, the portfolio/project, and the presentation. Each grade must be a C or better in order to pass. Q13. What if I want to graduate early? A13.You must finish your senior project before you can receive a diploma. If you are all finished with classes by December but have not finished your senior project you are not officially done with school. You will not graduate until everything is completed. If you are finished with your senior project early we will convene a special panel so you can make your presentation early. Q14. I can't think of anything else. What if questions come up later? Who can I ask? A14. Most questions can be answered by Mr. Adams or the co-sponsor of Senior Project, Ms. Peters. Every faculty member will be involved to some degree in the project, and they can answer questions as well. Senior Project Time Line September : Project theme is chosen and approved by advisor. A mentor is found. A letter stating the scope of your project is accepted by your advisor. Parent consent forms are signed. October : Serious work has begun on the research paper. All work and resources are being documented and put into your portfolio. November : The first and second drafts of the research paper are due. Peer editing and corrections take place. Your advisor checks references and possible plagiarism. December : Final version of the research paper is due right after Thanksgiving break. January : Papers are graded by independent sources at the University of Arizona . January through March : Actual Project takes place. (This could happen earlier, but the student must be very careful to document everything.) April : Student portfolios are collected and judged by the faculty. April : Senior Boards (oral presentation) are given to Vail faculty, community members, parents/relatives, and others. May : Self-evaluation and exit surveys completed. May : Graduation. Success is yours! Senior Project ideas There is no limitation on what you can do for Senior Project as long as you can satisfy all the requirements. In planning a project students should keep the following things in mind:
Here are some examples of what other students have done for projects and research papers. Project: Fashion Design (sketches and ideas that could be turned into clothing) Research Paper: Marketing Fashion Project: Hiking various trails in Arizona , gathering evidence of different biomes Research Paper: Diversity in Environment Project: Building an acoustic guitar Research Paper: The physics of sound Project: Building a mantle clock out of wood Research Paper: The history of time Project: Learning to play ice hockey and assisting the Lady Ice Cats team Research Paper: The Psychology and Physical fitness of the Goaltender Project: Being a DJ for KRQ Research Paper: The De-evolution of Radio Project: Taking my first solo flight as a pilot Research Paper: Investigation of a crash site As you can see, there are no limits on what you can do. For many students, it's a matter of discovering your passion. For others, the problem is narrowing things down to something that is going to both useful and fun to do. Remember that before you get heavily involved in a project, speak to the Senior Project advisors and get their approval.
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