Class of 2016

What is it?  The Senior Project is a graduation requirement that all students in Appoquinimink School District must complete.

The Senior Project It is a final learning experience, to provide one last opportunity to grow and provide a final “learning stretch” before graduating.

3 Components  Product  Presentation  Portfolio

Product  You have a choice of what type of product you are going to complete:  Service learning  Creative product  Research paper

What do I have to do?  By the time you are done your senior project, you will have completed:  A parent letter  A Topic Approval form  An Introduction  A background research paper  A results and reflection paper  A resume  An experience log  A product  A presentation This written component goes in the portfolio

Topic Approval form  The topic approval form lets your reader know what you are planning to research and hope to do for a product.  Topic approval form and parent notification letters are due before you leave for summer.

Intro and Background Research  In October you will turn in your ½ page introduction and 3-5 page background research paper on your topic.  Your report should be 3-5 pages with 1 inch margins and in 12 pt font.  You should have 5 quality sources cited in your background research, listed using APA format on a works cited page.  A rough draft will be due in October with the final draft due in December.  Exact Dates will be posted on the website under the Senior Project tab.

Written component  Your written component is several written pieces that are due at different times and then added to your portfolio.  Always turn in 2 copies. One will be reviewed, stamped and returned to you. The other will go in your folder.  When you receive the stamped copy back, place it straight in your portfolio so it does not get lost.

Service Learning  Complete 50 volunteer service hours with an approved organization.  You will need to have your hours completed before your scheduled presentation date.  You will need someone at the organization to be willing to sign off on your hours on a log sheet or give you a certificate of completion for your hours.  For example, you might do volunteer hours at the Gibby Center in Middletown.

Some Local Opportunities: DID YOU KNOW?

Need more help? Volunteerdelaware.o rg allows you to search with filters including your availability, distance and interests!

Creative product  You can create a product related to your topic  For example: if you did a green energy topic, you might create a biodegradable cooler  OR, if you choose to study a type of cancer as your topic, you might be the captain of a Relay for Life team  Science Fair Projects are different from class projects. You may create a project that you can then also use in the district Science Fair.

Research paper-Are you a writer?  9-12 page formal research paper about your topic; this will be separate from or in addition to the research in your written component  For example, the background research could be about fuel types. Then for your research paper you pick a thesis of how bio fuel is more economically and ecologically sound and will benefit the entire world.  9 quality sources, cited in the paper and on works cited page in APA format

Ask Questions Start asking questions right away. Use the summer to complete your volunteer hours and background research. It will be more stressful if you wait until school starts. Each piece of the Senior Project is due at different times to prevent you from waiting until the last minute and being overwhelmed.

Presentation  On March 24th, you will present your senior project to a panel of faculty members.  Your presentation will include:  An introduction including your 4-year journey through high school  Information about your topic  Information about your product, how it was made and how it relates to your topic

Portfolio  The portfolio will contain all of the documentation you have collected for your project:  Table of contents  Topic approval form and Parent letter  Introduction  Background research (rough and final drafts)  Reflection and Results  Resume  Documentation of service learning hours or product completion, photos, experience log

Senior Project Grades  In eschool/HAC you will receive a grade for your senior project.  This will help you and your parents know that we have received your work and have it marked in our records.  In order to be eligible for the WOW scholarship award, all components must be turned in by the due dates.  Check the website to be sure of the dates at the beginning of the school year – under the senior project tab.

Experience Log – ALL PROJECTS  Whether your product is service, creative or research you must update your experience log.  Include photos, notes and signatures, service hours as appropriate, or to document the progress of your creative product.

 You can make your own or download a copy from the senior project website to fill in.

 There is an example log on the website, with examples of entries.

Each step has info Down -load Forms

Who will see it?  Senior Project Coordinators approve and review your topic.  If you do well, you may be presenting to a panel of scholarship judges.

What is the first step?? Selecting a topic and one of the 3 product types

Learning Stretch - Impact Your project should be something you can learn from. Your project should be something you can be proud of. Your project should be something that impacts you and/or your community.

Creative Product Notes Be very specific on the Topic Approval form. Describe in detail what your product will look like in March. Vague descriptions will only yield Conditional Approval until you provide more information by the deadline. Examples: Cookbook of ___pages/recipes focusing on ____ dietary needs. ___# of pictures will be included of me MAKING the food. Children’s book geared toward ___ age group consisting of ___ pages and ___ pictures.

Creative Product Notes Please check the website! There will be additional forms there for your to turn in WITH your Topic Approval form for certain products like; Cookbooks Videos Building Use/Events Partner Responsibilites In order to run an event, you need a TEACHER to sponsor you, submit the building use form AND ATTEND the event.

Events: If you would like to create/host an event, you will NOT BE APPROVED WITHOUT PRIOR BUILDING USE APPROVAL. Funds must also be available to pay for police and custodial fees (up to $1,500.)!

Conditional Approvals There will be a deadline early in the Fall to resolve all conditional approvals. If your paperwork is turned in after the deadline, you will need to start over and create a different product. THINK-PLAN-ACT!

After my topic is approved  Start or continue working on…  your creative project.  your community service hours.  your specific research paper (Separate from the background research).

Important Dates  Topic Approval Forms/Parent Letters are due by June 4, Make a copy and submit TWO OF EACH.  If you are approved, you MAY NOT change your topic in the Fall. Choose wisely and start EARLY!

Approximate due dates Topic approval/Parent Form: June 2015 Introduction to your topic: November 2015 Resume & Experience Log: December 2015 Reflection & Results Paper: January 2016 Background Research: Due in your Senior English class (Fall or Spring) Presentation and Portfolio: March 24, 2016 Dates are subject to change as of 5/6/15

The class of 2015 advises… “Sweetheart, if you’re reading this it's too late. Senior project will stress you out. You’ll wish you were a freshman again. I’m not trying to scare you. But it’s scary. So make it less scarier by starting early, doing something you're passionate about and submitting everything in on time. I promise you, you'll live!” “If you don’t wait until the last minute, it’s really not that bad.” “It helps to pick a topic you feel strongly for so it motivates you to get it done!” “Start your senior project early and do something you’re passionate about.”

Tips from current seniors “Do NOT procrastinate.” “If you choose a research paper, pick a topic that interests you.” “Relax. Turn everything in on time and you’ll be fine.” “Start ASAP! Try your best.” “If you’re working with a partner make sure they do their part.” “DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE, TRUST ME!” “I stayed up till 4am writing a research paper the day I had to present. Make better choices, get it done early.”