Graduation Project

PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CHAPTER 4 REGULATIONS SECTION 4.24 (a) HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION PROJECT REQUIREMENTS In order to graduate from high school, a student shall complete a project in one or more areas of concentrated study under the guidance and direction of the high school faculty. The purpose of the project, which may include research, writing, or some other appropriate form of demonstration, is to assure that the student is able to apply, analyze, synthesize and evaluate information and communicate significant knowledge and understanding.

Definition and Goals of the Graduation Project Definition and Goals of the Graduation Project The Graduation Project must be successfully completed as one of the requirements to qualify for a Spring Grove Area High School diploma. Under the direction of a high school faculty advisor, the student develops and completes a project consisting of two components: a tangible product an oral presentation. o The project will be completed during the junior year. One (1.00) credit will be awarded for the successful completion of the Graduation Project.

The Overall Goal A goal of the Graduation Project is to challenge the student to go beyond the learning experiences that occur as the result of the prescribed educational program. It challenges the student to demonstrate intellectual and creative abilities. By providing opportunities for the student to expand personal knowledge, explore career paths, and apply learning to real-life situations, the Graduation Project fosters personal growth and promotes lifelong learning. Additionally, the completed project may be used to demonstrate the student’s skills and abilities for prospective employers or admissions personnel.

Graduation Project Responsibilities The student will…. Select an original topic, not used for another class project, in the area of personal interest. Meet established deadlines on the Graduation Project Deadlines form that will be checked by an advisor. Submit a Graduation Project Proposal by the middle of the first marking period. Meet with the advisor until all requirements have been fulfilled.

Graduation Project Responsibilities Cont. Submit, as applicable, a rough draft of a paper, digital draft of a project, an Academic Project Journal, Tangible Product Log or a Community Service / Career Internship Log. Complete and submit all work 10 school days before the end of the second marking period. End of the semester is January 14, Schedule an oral presentation. All projects may be displayed at the Academic Exposition held on February 6, 2013.

General Graduation Project Guidelines 1. Each student will be assigned a project advisor under whose direction he/she will remain until the Graduation Project process is completed. 2. Advisory time will take place during homeroom period or as a special schedule. 3. The topic for the Graduation Project must be original and not one used to fulfill a requirement for another class. It must be unique to this project. 4. After the Graduation Project Proposal is completed and signed, the student will not be able to change the project topic, unless approved by the advisor for good academic reason. 5. The student must adhere to the timeline for all project tasks. Failure to do so will result in a grade of U on his/her report card and could result in loss of some privileges.

General Graduation Project Guidelines Cont. 6. A Graduation Project deadline sheet will be kept by the student until the completion of the project. 7. All forms and parts of the project must be submitted in the sequence specified in the Graduation Project deadline sheet. The Graduation Project Student Handbook and all forms are available on school district website. 8. The student must schedule and present a minute oral presentation of his/her Graduation Project. The oral presentation should demonstrate comprehension of the topic and effective speaking skills with appropriate visuals. The student may be asked to respond to questions as part of the evaluation. Expectations for the oral presentation are available in the evaluation rubric. 9. Any student who fails to complete his/her project by the end of the second marking period may receive an F, and may thereafter lose privileges of open study, co- op, and senior release. These students will be required to continue meeting with their advisor until they have satisfactorily completed all work. The advisor will have 10 days to evaluate work turned in by the student. 10. Failure to complete the project will prevent graduating from the Spring Grove Area Senior High School.

Community Service School improvement Volunteer o Hospital o Nursing Home Teacher o Community Center o Habitat for Humanity

Career Internship SPCA Business Theater Day Care Center Veterinarian

Academic or Research Project Develop Web Site Life Skills Portfolio Develop a Magazine or E-zine Science Olympiad Robotics Envirothon Oral History

Research Paper Academic topic of your choice

Oral Presentation Technology o PowerPoint o MovieMaker o Digital Pictures o Web Site o Photostory o Wiki

Academic Project Examples develop a science fair project design a mathematics or computer project create an architectural design design an engineering project compose a foreign language short story

School Improvement Examples develop and execute a tutoring program develop a pamphlet describing research on careers or colleges create a district pamphlet produce a video about physical fitness and health issues

Unpaid Internship Examples Complete an internship in/with…… a business firm an elementary or secondary teacher a health-related career government or private industry a newspaper or publishing entity

Community Project Examples prepare income taxes for senior citizens perform a service project in the community volunteer at a homeless shelter, hospital or nursing home develop an environmental improvement project

Sages and Seekers One-on-one weekly meetings with Sages (seniors 70 years or older) who want to impart their wisdom on the Seekers of the teen generation Weekly meetings for eight weeks Student writes an essay and creates a photo book Approved blend of community service, research paper, and visual presentation