Senior Project
As of this writing (11/1/09), approximately 60 of this year's seniors (Class of 2010) are working on their senior projects. These students made the commitment prior to starting this school year to pursue their passion and do an independent project of their own choosing.
Well now, that was almost two years ago. Students from the class of 2010 were the first to take the challenge and last year's class of 2011 followed suit. It's been a pretty steep learning curve for the students as well as the school personnel trying to make the program work well.
Senior project and the Board of Education Diploma
This year is the first year that in order to obtain a BOE diploma, students must do a senior project. (Of course, there is more to earning a BOE diploma than just senior project, don't forget.) The senior project is slated to become a requirement for any diploma in the not too distant future so it's just one more reason that we should all be interested in senior project now!
That was what I said in 2009. Things have changed a bit, including a new Board of Education appointed by the Governor. We're hearing that the Senior Project may not have a large a future as originally proposed. We'll have to wait and see.
Senior projects this year reflect a wide variety in candidate's interests; from a study of fish populations to a computer model of the spectra of galaxies, from a clay-mation video to a website to recycle prom dresses and that's just a few!
The essential components of the senior project are:
- Research Paper
- Project (career focus, service learning or student personal interest)
- Project Portfolio
- Presentation to a panel
Call for interested Juniors: Now is the time for juniors (class of 2013) to decide if they will go for it next year. Students need to make up their minds soon because if they intend to do a senior project, they will have to register to take a "capstone" class. This will be an actual course on their schedule in which they will meet with a teacher who will assist them toward meeting the requirements for senior project.
While there will be a senior project class, the actual meat of the project will done under the guidance of a Mentor. This person will be recruited by the student and should be someone knowledgeable in the topic/field of that particular project. Student/Mentor contact time will need to be documented and will have to total a minumum of 45 hours.
Based on what I've seen of this year's seniors and their experience of the senior project, here's the straight talk...I think many of the students did not realize the work and difficulties involved in the research paper, finding a mentor and other aspects of senior project. It seems that they thought it was all about the project, e.g. hands on type of work, and did not get that there was a lot of other work needing to be done. So be aware students and parents of the Paper, Portfolio and Presentation requirements, not to mention finding and working with a mentor, that will have to be done! Everyone needs to be fully informed to really commit to senior project and, ultimately, students should really want to do this!
Check out the Senior Project webpage on Hilo High's website to get a feel for what all is involved. Click on the page at right.
Juniors who are interested should talk to me (Mr. Carpenter) for more information.
And you underclassmen, pay attention! Your time will come before you know it!
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Senior Project
