Schuylkill Valley High School Graduation Project A Graduation Requirement - Class of 2014 Left Mouse Click To Progress Through the Presentation 1

W HY D O A G RADUATION P ROJECT ?? 2

T HE R EASON Schuylkill Valley requires successful completion of the Graduation Project Course as a requirement for graduation. Businesses require workers who possess the following: Oral Communications Skills Written Communications Skills Personal Initiative Ability to Complete Assigned Tasks on Time. 3

T HE R EASON People who possess these skills: Are more likely to be employed! Receive higher salaries! Are more likely to be promoted! 4

T HE R EASON The graduation project requires the student to develop and demonstrate these important skills. This approach to the graduation project is designed to prepare students for future endeavors in post-secondary education or work. The project is entirely student driven. 5

T HE R EASON To complete the graduation project, students will need to demonstrate self-initiative. Advisors, resource people, and teachers are available to assist students, but the students must initiate the request for support. 6

P ROJECT C OMPONENTS 7

Project Components Activity Project Research Paper Oral Presentation 8

I MPORTANT S UPPORT P EOPLE 9

Graduation Project Coordinator Mr. Steven Schell Research Paper Assistance Senior English Teacher Graduation Project Advisor Student Selected 10

P ROJECT T IME S CHEDULE 11

P ROJECT T IME S CHEDULE Form Proposal Form Activity Logs Oral Presentation Scheduling Form Oral Presentation Research Paper Due Date September 28, 2012 September 20, 2013 September 27, 2013 Beginning October 1, 2013 February 28, All requirements may be submitted prior to the listed deadline! Should be submitted as soon as the required hours are completed

P ROJECT T IME S CHEDULE Research Paper will be completed as part of the students senior English Class Deadline for Submission February 28,

C OURSE C REDIT 14

C OURSE C REDIT The Graduation Project is a required 1.0 credit course. The Graduation Project Course will appear on the students report card and transcript in the senior year after completion of all requirements. 15

C OURSE C REDIT Students will receive a numerical grade for the Graduation Project Course. The grade received for the Graduation Project Course will be included in the students final G.P.A.. 16

C OURSE R EQUIREMENTS 17

Course Requirements Activity Project 25+ Hours 18

Course Requirements Research Paper 5 Pages 5 + References Student must use multiple types of sources Students may not use all internet sources Citations As Required By MLA Standards 19

Course Requirements Oral Presentation 15 Minutes 2+ Visuals 20

G RADING P ROCEDURES 21

G RADING P ROCEDURES Requirement: 1. Required Forms and Hours 2. Research Paper 3. Oral Presentation Graded by: Graduation Project Coordinator Senior English Teacher Graduation Project Coordinator 22

G RADING P ROCEDURES Final Course Grade Based on the following percentages: 1. Research Paper30% 2. Oral Presentation30% 3. Required Forms10% 4. Required Hours30% 23

Late Submissions Requirements submitted late will lose points: Days1/2 of the Points Days1/4 of the Points Days3/4 of the Points 31+ Days LateNo Credit G RADING P ROCEDURES 24

S ELECTING A T OPIC 25

S ELECTING A T OPIC Pick an interesting topic! The student should have fun doing the activity portion of the project! The project should have some relationship to the students current or future goals and interests! 26

E XAMPLES OF G RADUATION P ROJECTS 27

C ATEGORIES OF P ROJECTS Projects Related to Employment Projects Related to a Hobby Community Service Projects Learning a New Skill Researching a Specific Topic 28

Projects Related to Employment Becoming a Veterinarian 29

Projects Related to a Hobby The Inner Workings of the Martin Guitar Factory 30

Community Service Project Operation of the Berks County Humane Society 31

Learning a New Skill The Operation of Emergency Medical Services 32

Researching a Specific Topic Integrated Pest Management in the Orchard Industry 33

Past Graduation Project The History and Operation of a Zamboni Advertising Benefits for the Philadelphia Flyers How to Write a Screen Play Rebuilding an Automobile Engine Teaching Elementary Students with Special Needs 34

B.C.T.C. S TUDENTS 35

B.C.T.C. S TUDENTS B.C.T.C. students must complete a graduation project for B.C.T.C. The B.C.T.C. graduation project has the same three components as Schuylkill Valleys graduation project. B.C.T.C. students do not need to complete two different graduation projects! Your topic is your B.C.T.C. shop! 36

B.C.T.C. S TUDENTS Use your B.C.T.C. teacher as your advisor! Do your activity hours at B.C.T.C. and they will count toward both graduation projects. Do the written paper at B.C.T.C. and it will count toward both graduation projects. Do the oral presentation at B.C.T.C. and it will count toward both graduation projects. 37

B.C.T.C. S TUDENTS When you complete your entire project at BCTC, remember to give Mr. Schell a copy of your Final Graduation Project Grade Sheet. Final Grades must be to Mr. Schell by March 29,

K EYS TO S UCCESS 39

K EYS TO S UCCESS Select a topic you are interested in! Select a compatible advisor! Carefully read the entire Graduation Project Manual before you begin! As you start a new requirement reread the section of the Graduation Project Manual related to that requirement! 40

K EYS TO S UCCESS Start the activity portion of the project as soon as possible. Dont wait until the summer between your junior and senior years! Complete assignments before the due date! If you have questions or problems, read the appropriate section of your Graduation Project Manual! If you still have questions or problems, seek help! 41

K EYS TO S UCCESS Remember that completion of the Graduation project is your responsibility! 42