Senior Project

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Senior Project

English 12—Mrs. Lindholm

BINGO Activity

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Table of Contents.

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What is a Senior Project?

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Project selection

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Project Focus Area

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The Portfolio

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The Research Paper

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The Product/Performance

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The Presentation

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What is a Senior Project

This process will allow you to showcase your ability to

read, write, speak, think, plan, implement, be

self-disciplined, problem solve, and organize your work.

The Senior Project is designed to be completed

independently by students with the guidance of Mrs.

Lindholm, Mr. Siegler, and/or expert in the field.

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What is a Senior Project?

The Senior Project consists of four major

components:

1. research paper
2. product/performance/physical project,
3. portfolio,
4. oral presentation.

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What it is not?

This process cannot rely solely up on what information students already know, but must demonstrate new learning and growth.

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Given the amount of time that will be dedicated to this project, it is
important to choose a project wisely.

Project Selection

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Did you know?

Think about all the things in which you are interested in.
What do you like to do, learn, understand, see, improve, create, or experience.

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When Deciding?

Consider whether or not there is enough research information and resources to complete the project available.

Remember, your project should maintain your interest for an extended period of time.

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Do something today that your future self with thank you for.

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Project Focus Area

Students who choose to do Project Focus:

Students choosing this project focus will be devoting a
minimum of 5 hours to a community/school service project.

They will have to complete the research paper and develop a multimedia presentation.

The process will begin with the selection of a need in the
community/school and the development of a plan to remedy
it.

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Examples

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Restoration and improvement of a section of a
neighborhood.

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Spend time at the Humane Society.

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Design a service, such as after-school tutoring
services or read to a resident at a nursing home.

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Participate on a community service board.

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Organize a service project at school.

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Career Focus Area

Students who choose to do Career Focus:

Completing a 5 hour job shadowing in the field of student he/she intends to pursue after high school.

Student must research possible careers within a field of interests.

Students will then select a mentor and begin the job shadowing process.

The research paper will relate to an emerging issue within the field not about the career itself.

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Examples

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Job shadowing at the veterinarian’s office – research:
how has technology impacted veterinary medicine?

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Job shadowing with a construction company –
research: how is geometry utilized in construction?

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Auto mechanic – produce a systematic maintenance manual for car upkeep, including approximate costs, schedule, reasoning, etc.

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Curriculum Focus Area

Students who choose to do Curricular Focus:

This project focus area will select a particular curricular area in
which to do original, in-depth research.

Student must select a mentor in this field of study.

Student will need to interview according to subject material.

Final product must be created of subject material.

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Examples

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English – read an author’s primary works and research how
historical events are depicted in the author’s works and how was history influenced by the author’s works.

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Product would be a collection of poems or short stories written in the author’s style.

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Health/Social Science – research the impact of sleep deprivation on cognitive development. Explore what an ideal school start time
would be to maximize academic performance.

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Product would be a proposal or new start time schedule for schools with logistics accounted for.

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The Portfolio

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A collection of all required forms,
research documentation, and
reflection neatly presented in a
1-inch binder.

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The Senior Project Portfolio
documents the entire journey,
including a reflection of what was
learned.

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Guidelines on how to complete the
portfolio will be provided.

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Templates and required forms will
be handed out during the
appropriate time.

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Your Portfolio Must Include

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Cover Page: Design
your cover and
insert it in front of
binder

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Table of Contents

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Letter of Intent

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Parental Permission
Form

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Project Approval
Form

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Research
Documentation

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Research Paper
Drafts

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Research
Paper-Final copy

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Project Log (5 hours
minimum)

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Performance
Documentation
(photographs,
video of your
performance)

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Presentation Outline

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Presentation
Practice Feedback

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Project Reflection
Worksheet

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Reflection Essay

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Portfolio Checklist

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Research Paper

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The research paper should complement the topic that was selected for the Senior Projects

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The research paper is not just a report.

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it must include a thesis statement that declares the main idea of the paper, that makes a statement about the subject, and that engages the reader.

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Must use reliable sources along with MLA citations.

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Research Paper Requirements

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Include 3 to 4pages, excluding works cited page.

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Use a minimum of five resources, which need to be properly cited within the text.

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Be properly formatted with one-inch margins, double spacing, and twelve-point Times New Roman font.

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Use charts, graphs, photos when appropriate, but no decorative clip art or drawings.

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Be stapled in the upper left-hand corner.

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Research Paper Requirements

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What I Know – Introduce the topic of research and explain your ideas and what you know about the topic.

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What I Want to Find Out – Explain what it is that you want to know or uncover
about the topic. Ask essential questions and develop your thesis. Explain why
this topic is important to you.

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Research – What evidence did you uncover or discover? How did you support your findings?
This can include interviews from within the field being researched. Interviews must be accompanied by a minimum of 15 interview questions with a transcript of the responses.

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What I Learned – Combine your ideas and prior knowledge, with evidence
supported by research. What conclusions did you reach? What did you learn?
Do you have the same ideas or interests that you started with? Or have they
changed and in what way?

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The Product/Performance

The third component of the Senior Project is the creation of a product.

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A physical artifact or performance that demonstrates what you learned during your research process.

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Whatever you select for the product or performance must
be of high quality, show what you learned, demonstrate
time and effort, and represent a connection to the
research paper.

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A tri-fold board filled with photographs only is NOT
acceptable

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The

Product/Performance

Must:

❖

Be a physical,
tangible product or videotape of your performance.

❖

Be an extension of
the research that
was done.

❖

Be high quality and
reflect time and
effort as documented in the
Project Log.

❖

Be a demonstration
of what you
learned.

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The Presentation

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The Review Panel may consist of teachers,
administrators, and senior class.

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The presentation should be eight to ten
minutes in length with a five minute
question and answer period at the end.

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To build confidence, practice the
presentation and ask for feedback that
will help you refine your presentation.

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A Presentation Practice Feedback Form
will be handed out in class.

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The key to a successful presentation is to
be prepared!

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The Presentation Must

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Be eight to ten minutes in length with a
five minutes answer time at the end.

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Include the product to provide physical
evidence of what you accomplished.

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Address the project, the research, the
product and challenges that were
encountered along the way that led to
personal and academic growth.

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Key Points to
Remember

Class of 2024

●Make eye contact with the audience
members.

●Rehearse enough that you do not
have to read your presentation.

● Avoid blocking your product or
display.

●When pointing out portions of the
product or display, use the hand
that is closer to it. This keeps you
from turning your back to your
audience.

●Dress for success.

●Have neatly styled hair and clean
clothes.

●Avoid unusual, provocative or
inappropriate clothing.

●Dress as if you are preparing for a
job interview.

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Defending Your Project

❖ Be ready to take questions after your presentation.
❖ When your presentation is over, ask your audience if they have any questions or comments.
❖ Answer questions to the best of your ability. Remember, you are the one who did the

extensive research on your topic. People usually ask questions because they are interested
and curious about the topic.

❖ Be prepared to answer questions about the topic or questions like:

❖ “Why did you pick this topic to research?”
❖ “If you could do anything differently in researching this topic,
what would it be?”
❖ “What did you find to be the most interesting thing you learn
about this project?”

❖ Thank your audience for their attendance, questions, and comments when you are finished.

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And This Is A Time Line

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Brainstorm and pick topic

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Letter of Intent

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Template Letter of Intent Rubric

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Project Proposal Worksheet

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Project Approval Form

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Project Log Form

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Research Paper Rubric

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Product or Performance Rubric

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Project Reflection Worksheet

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Project Reflection Guide

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Reflection Rubric

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Presentation Practice Feedback
Form

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Presentation Rubric

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Portfolio Checklist

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Thank You!

Do you have any questions?