SENIOR

PROJECT

Hornet Style

HANCOCK COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL “Preparing Students for Success in the 21st Century” Revised – January 15, 2015 (Changes in Italics and red font)

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Senior Project - Hornet Style Purpose of the Senior Project The senior project is a culminating activity, which combines the learning from three years of high school into a project. A Senior Project provides an opportunity for a student to choose an area of interest in a specific career field, conduct in-depth research, and demonstrate problem-solving, decision-making, independent learning skills as well as enable them to find out more about a career the student has chosen to pursue. It contributes to a stronger senior year of challenging courses and practical experiences that prepare students for the next step in work and/or further education.

Steps for completing the Senior Project: 1. Seniors need to choose a topic and a Mentor – DEADLINE – (Tuesday 8/18/2015): The topic must be presented to a panel of three senior LEAD teachers for approval. Completed On-Line Commitment Form and Mentor Form are turned in at this meeting. The project MUST be approved before starting work, but Seniors are encouraged to start working on their project over the summer once all items mentioned above are complete. NOTE: You must be sure that your project idea ties in closely with some career field that you are interested in from the very beginning. This connection to a career must be acknowledged during the presentation (see explanation of The Presentation on page 4).

Choosing a Mentor

(Cannot be a family member or a recent graduate of HCHS) What does the mentor do? o Provides expertise in the project area o Gives suggestions and advice o Supports your efforts o Gives you feedback

2. Writing a Letter of Intent – DEADLINE – (TUESDAY 9/8/2015) Using correct business style, write a letter of intent to the Senior Project Board – those who will SCORE your Senior Project at the end of the process. This letter will become part of your notebook. It should be word processed, well organized, and addressed to the Senior Project Board. If you need help with the format see an English teacher or utilize the template or wizard on your word processor. The letter must include: Paragraph 1: Describe the general area of interest of your senior project. Explain why you chose the topic and what if anything you already know or have done in the area to help build your knowledge and interest base. Paragraph 2: Include the specific research on which your project will focus and some of the ideas you hope to include. Also, discuss some of the resources you plan to use, any specific questions you want to answer, and what you need to know to do the research. Paragraph 3: Describe how your research relates to your project. Describe your project – what it is, who is involved, potential costs, time involved, and possible resources. Explain how this project /service will benefit someone other than you. Also, discuss how this project will stretch you academically. This paragraph may take more than one paragraph to develop fully. Paragraph 4: Closing Statement – (Language Arts teachers will give you a format of what to include in your closing statement.

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3. Conducting Research – DEADLINE – (Tuesday 9/15/2015) The third step involves researching the senior project topic and the career that the senior has chosen to pursue. This is where the senior starts accumulating data and information for the presentation including: At a Glance, Job Description, Working Conditions, Earnings, Education,

Sample Career Path, and Related Careers. All of this is to found in the student ILP (https://www2.careercruising.com/my/login/ilp)

Be sure to include LOCAL information regarding job availability and salary if it is possible

Research Interpretation Form (Attachment G) This form will need to be filled out ONLY with research found in the ILP. Students need to

WORD PROCESS from the ILP a summary of the following: At a Glance, Job Description, Working Conditions, Earnings, Education, Sample Career Path, and Related Careers. All of this is to found in the student ILP (https://www2.careercruising.com/my/login/ilp) The Seniors will

be working closely with their LEAD teachers to see that these forms are used and filled our correctly. If students have met all deadlines, Friday September 18th can be used as an outside of school work day. Students will be counted present at school, but will be able to complete service / or product.

4. Producing a Product or Service – DEADLINE – (TUESDAY 10/20/2015) Each senior will then work with his/her mentor and construct the product or service that will represent the center of the presentation.

Product/Service Guidelines Seniors should follow these guidelines before considering their topic, product or service: 

Does the research support the product or service? Is there a clear connection between the research topic and the product you want to produce?

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Does the product represent significant amounts of time, effort and appropriate complexity? Does it go beyond what you already know how to do? Does it stretch your knowledge?

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Is the product something you will do outside of your regular class? A product that you produce for a career/technical student organization will not fulfill senior project requirements unless it goes substantially beyond the parameters of a classroom assignment.

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Will the product involve tangible evidence of your work – either something physical that can be seen and touched, a community-based service that can be documented as beneficial, or something performed, such as a play or music that is written, produced, performed, taped, or somehow presented?

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How does this product or service benefit someone other than you or a family member?

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Power-point Presentations do NOT constitute a product. Power-point is a tool that you can use to strengthen your presentation.

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Brochures alone do not make a sufficient product – students must do something with the brochure

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5. Keeping a Senior Project Notebook – Deadline – (TUESDAY

10/27/2015)

Each Senior will keep a notebook that contains items that shows completion of each step. See Attachment E for items to be included in the notebook.

6. Preparing the Presentation Each senior will take all the research that was gathered and the items that were provided by the mentor to start outlining the presentation. Each senior will be scheduled a practice presentation first – positive feedback will be given to each senior that will enable him/her to be successful on presentation day…

The Presentation Seniors should be sure to include the following items in their presentation in order for it to be determined successful; 1) A visible, finished product to display or a service that is verified in some way (video, picture scrapbook, etc.), 2) A connection and explanation for the Career that the product relates to – the senior should include education required for the field, job outlook, etc. and other research that the senior gathered that would give the presentation meaning and show some creativity AND, 3) other Visual Aides that will enhance the presentation (Video, Handouts, Powerpoint Presentation, etc.) If any one of the three items listed above are NOT a part of the overall presentation on Presentation Day, it will greatly diminish the chances of the senior passing the project. For this reason, Seniors MUST work to include these three items in their presentations.

It is expected that the presentation will be a minimum of 10 minutes (not including time taken for questioning after the presentation is given)

EXEMPLARY Projects (Best of the Best) Presentation Day – FRIDAY 10/30/2015 From the available senior projects, 15 (fifteen) will be selected to present early at the High School. During these presentations students will have the opportunity to invite guests (and be video taped) to exhibit and exemplary project. Students selected for this day WILL NOT ATTEND the regular Senior Project Presentation Day.

Senior Project Presentation Day – (FRIDAY 11/20/2015) Senior Project Presentations will be completed on one or two days and will be scheduled at a location away from the high school. Students attending the vocational school may have the option of conducting their presentation at the vocational school.

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Senior Project Presentation Panel (3 or more members) The panel members for each senior will be determined by the following (unless the senior is attending vocational school and will be making his/her presentation at the vocational complex):  

The Principal will assign a Faculty Member that is closely related to the senior’s topic Two Community Members will be chosen to serve on ALL senior projects that fit a certain category (ie. – for the 2015-16 school year, the SAME panel members for all Ag or Construction related projects will judge those particular projects).

Dress for Preparation On the day of your presentation you are expected to dress professionally. Men are to wear khakis or other dress pants, dress shoes, and a dress shirt (a jacket and/or tie is suggested, but optional). Any type of head apparel is not to be worn inside the building. Women are to wear dress pants or skirt with a blouse or a dress. Dress and skirts should be of an appropriate professional length. Tops should not be revealing. A jacket or sweater is suggested, but optional. Dress shoes should be professional. Dress as you would for an important professional interview, not a date – no jeans, t-shirts or tennis shoes are to be worn. Points will be deducted from the overall score for seniors that do not dress appropriately (see Scoring Rubric – Attachment C).

7. Thank You Cards/Letters – DEADLINE –FRIDAY 11/20/2015 Each senior that has passed the senior project must finish by thanking those who have helped them along the way. Thank you cards or letters need to be ready to distribute on Senior Project Presentation Day. Cards are not necessary – letters that are word processed carry more meaning for the individuals that deserve appreciation.

8. The Showcase (if invited) – Tuesday November 24th AFTER CHRISTMAS BREAK>>> Exemplary projects will be invited to participate in the Senior Project Showcase. All students scoring at least 80% on the project AND are approved as acceptable for showcase by the LEAD Teachers, Mr. Jennings and/or Administration. By the same token, the senior project committee reserves the right to invite other projects that they deem worthy of an invitation to participate in the Senior Project Showcase. Parents, whose students’ are invited to participate, will receive a written invitation to attend the showcase. Students who earn the right to be a part of the Showcase and elect not to attend will have 50 points deducted from their overall score. Any senior that is absent on Showcase Day MUST have a valid excuse to be absent. A senior project is only considered successfully passed with an overall score of 70% when all parts of the scoring rubric are considered. A student not meeting the criteria will be given a Second Chance to complete the project again. The seniors who do not successfully pass the initial project presentation will fall into one of the following categories: 

2nd Chance - Seniors scoring within 10% points of passing will have to give the same presentation the following week in front of the principal, assistant principal or individuals that know the topic and can be a fair judge. This second panel will be the determining factor as to whether the senior will pass. Seniors will be given an opportunity to communicate with the original members who served on their panel to get feedback on what they need to do to make their presentation suitable for passing.

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2nd Chance Plus - Seniors scoring 60% or below after the initial presentation OR those seniors that were determined to not have passed their presentation by “2nd Chance” will be contracted to work closely with administration or a designee and make corrections on their presentation. A FINAL opportunity will be given to present PRIOR to Spring Break.

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Any senior who started the senior project process at the beginning of the school year and does NOT have the project complete with a passing score by Spring Break will NOT be eligible to participate in graduation ceremonies.

Seniors will have a 1/2 work day where the student will be assigned either the first half or second half of the school day with their LEAD teacher to work on any part of the Senior Project. The media center and a computer lab will be available for this day. PLANNED FOR 9/18/2015.

How Will The Project Be Graded And What Is Your Accountability? The Senior Project is a requirement to WALK THE GRADUATION LINE from Hancock County High School. Not only are the seniors expected to complete a Senior Project, he/she must also PASS (70% score or better). The student will complete the senior project on his/her own time but will be given the help necessary to assure success (as mentioned on scheduled Senior Project Days). ** The Senior Project score will also be added as a test score to the class that is most closely related to the topic of the Senior Project. The class must be determined and approved as part of the Commitment Form process.

AP Option: AP OPTION Policy 3.06 – The only changes that we made affect how seniors may be exempted from the Senior Project Process: “Any student who has passed 2 AP exams by the end of their junior year AND are enrolled in 2 or more AP courses their senior year will be exempt from the Senior Project process. Any student who has passed one AP exam prior to their senior year will perform a modified Senior Project based on research that they incorporate within one of their current AP courses. Students using this option will have to be enrolled in at least 2 AP courses during their senior year. Otherwise, the student will perform the traditional senior project."

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Keys to a SUCCESSFUL Senior Project Experience    

Choose a topic/career that interests you – do NOT choose a topic just because you think it will be easy… Have your Senior Project approved by the end of your Junior Year – this will allow plenty of time to complete the project and meet the deadlines… Meet EVERY deadline – even if you do not have your project approved until the start of your senior year, you have plenty of time to meet every deadline… Maintain a POSITIVE attitude – remember that “Positive Minds Make Things Happen”…

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Attachment B

Senior Project - Hancock County Style Mentor Form

Student’s Name ________________________________ Product Title __________________________________ Mentor’s Name ________________________________ Mentor’s Address ______________________________ ________________________________ Mentor’s Phone # ______________________________ Mentor’s Qualifications __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

The student and mentor agree to the following: (include time and activities) __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ Signatures Student ________________________________________

Date _______________

Parent _________________________________ _______

Date ________________

Mentor ________________________________________

Date ________________

Advisor ________________________________________

Date________________

NOTE: Senior must bring this form to school and turn in to their LEAD teacher PRIOR to the box below being filled out. Deadline – (8/18/2015). Mentor ________________________________________

Date ________________

Meeting dates with Senior__________, __________, __________, __________, ___________, __________, __________, __________, __________, __________, __________, ___________

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* Mentors – Please list dates (above) that you met with your senior. Then, return this form to the school by November 6, 2015. The Senior should not be given this form.

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Learning Log Date

Time Spent Event/Activity

Attachment D Reflection

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Senior Project Notebook

Attachment E

The notebook is designed to strengthen learning. It enables you to reflect on new information and to apply that knowledge in new and creative ways. This should include all forms, references and activities associated with the project. Items should be accurate, clean, neat, organized, labeled and filed for future reference.

Notebook Format Note – Your individual project may require additional items not listed here or you might want to put items in your notebook that are not listed below. ALL items listed below are required.

All notebooks must have dividers between each of the following sections. _____ Notebook Contents Checklist (this page – Attachment E) _____ Completed Commitment Form (Attachment A) _____ Letter of intent _____ Research notes (use Attachment G), comments, interviews, reflections, etc. _____ Completed Learning Log (Attachment D) _____ Completed Senior Project Checklist (Attachment F) _____ Outline of Oral Presentation _____ Copies of any handouts used with your senior board presentation _____ Copies of letters or any written correspondence (requests for information, invitations, thank you letters, etc.) _____ Photographs documenting the progression of your project.

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Senior Project Checklist Activity Preparation Commitment form and mentor form presented to and approved by committee

Write letter of intent Research Maintain learning log Research completed (Through ILP) Product/Service Product/service completed Presentation Submit your notebook to your LEAD teacher * Mock Presentations shown to all LEAD classes Submit outline to LEAD teacher Practice presentation in LEAD TOP 15 EXEMPLARY PROJECTS - as determined by LEAD teachers Senior Project Presentations Follow-up Write and send thank you notes to anyone involved in your project Participate in Senior Project Showcase if invited

Attachment F Date Due

Tuesday 8/18/2015 Tuesday 9/8/2015

Date Completed LEAD teacher initials

Ongoing

Tuesday 9/15/2015 Tuesday 10/20/2015 Tuesday 10/27/2015 Starting week of

10/20/2015

At least one day before your practice

10/29/2015 to 11/6/2015 Friday 10/30/2015 FRIDAY 11/20/2015 Friday 12/4/2015 Tuesday 11/24/2015

New SBDM Policy (Revised July 2012):  Any Senior who is enrolled as

of the first day of school and does not have the senior project process complete with a passing score as of Spring Break will not be allowed to participate in graduation at the end of the year.

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Research Interpretation Form

Attachment G

Specific ILP website____________________________________________ Date Research was found ________________________ Key Items found in Research: (give a brief summary of the contents you researched as it relates to your Project or Career Choice. Include the following (you will need 7 pages of research): At a Glance, Job Description, Working Conditions, Earnings, Education, Sample Career Path, and Related Careers. Be sure to also include the correct citation and source of the research. See examples at the bottom of the page.).

_________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ ILP Site: "Profile at a Glance". Career Cruising - ILP. 2015. Welder. 14 September 2015. . "Job Description." Career Cruising - ILP. 2015. Welder. 14 September 2015. . "Working Conditions." Career Cruising - ILP. 2015. Welder. 14 September 2015. https://www2.careercruising.com/careers/workingconditions/445>. "Earnings." Career Cruising - ILP. 2015. Welder. 14 September 2015. . "Education." Career Cruising - ILP. 2015. Welder. 14 September 2015. . "Sample Career Path." Career Cruising - ILP. 2015. Welder. 14 September 2015. https://www2.careercruising.com/careers/samplecareer-path/445>. "Related Careers." Career Cruising - ILP. 2015. Welder. 14 September 2015.