CENTRAL DAUPHIN SCHOOL DISTRICT GRADUATION PROJECT GUIDE STUDENTS

INTRODUCTION As mandated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Central Dauphin School District has adopted this project as a requirement for graduation from high school. As mandated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Central Dauphin School District has adopted this project as a requirement for graduation from high school. These guidelines emphasize that both PROCESS and PRODUCT are important components of the graduation project. These guidelines emphasize that both PROCESS and PRODUCT are important components of the graduation project. The project gives each student an opportunity for in-depth learning on a self-selected topic of interest. The project gives each student an opportunity for in-depth learning on a self-selected topic of interest.

INTRODUCTION (cont.) The Principal is responsible for the coordination of the Graduation Project. The Principal is responsible for the coordination of the Graduation Project. The project will be under the guidance of a faculty advisor who will provide direction and assistance, but the student carries primary responsibility for directing his/her learning. The project will be under the guidance of a faculty advisor who will provide direction and assistance, but the student carries primary responsibility for directing his/her learning. Any student who has not completed this requirement for graduation will not be permitted to participate in graduation ceremonies, nor will he/she receive a diploma. Any student who has not completed this requirement for graduation will not be permitted to participate in graduation ceremonies, nor will he/she receive a diploma.

Project Guidelines

GUIDELINES (refer to pages 4 and 5) ALL graduation projects, regardless of the category, require a portfolio which includes: research, at least 20 hours of activity, a reflection paper, and a final conference presentation to the advisor. ALL graduation projects, regardless of the category, require a portfolio which includes: research, at least 20 hours of activity, a reflection paper, and a final conference presentation to the advisor. Projects will be evaluated by the advisor using a set of rubrics. Projects will be scored as satisfactory or not yet satisfactory. Projects will be evaluated by the advisor using a set of rubrics. Projects will be scored as satisfactory or not yet satisfactory.

REQUIREMENTS – Portfolio Portfolios may be very simple (pocket folder) or very elaborate (3-ring binder with graphics, titles, etc.) STUDENT PORTION:  The interest card  The signed contract  Research Documentation  Activity Log  Reflection Paper  Extended Research items, if applicable The advisor will attach evaluation rubrics and the portfolio checklist.

REQUIREMENTS – Research All projects, regardless of the option chosen, require Research. All projects, regardless of the option chosen, require Research. You must include at least four pages of printed material. (pictures, interviews, computer searches, articles, brochures, etc.) You must include at least four pages of printed material. (pictures, interviews, computer searches, articles, brochures, etc.) Sources must be documented in MLA format. Sources must be documented in MLA format. You must provide a thoughtful description or reaction for each source you document. You must provide a thoughtful description or reaction for each source you document.

REQUIREMENTS – Activity Log All projects, regardless of the option chosen, require an Activity Log. All projects, regardless of the option chosen, require an Activity Log. You must use the document on pg. 12 to record the “who, what, when, and where” of all activities. You must use the document on pg. 12 to record the “who, what, when, and where” of all activities. You must complete at least 20 hours of activity. You must complete at least 20 hours of activity. This includes hours completing the project and hours completing the research related to the project. This includes hours completing the project and hours completing the research related to the project.

REQUIREMENTS – Reflection Paper All projects, regardless of the option chosen, require a Reflection Paper. All projects, regardless of the option chosen, require a Reflection Paper. This is a 2-3 page reflection of your project. (refer to packet for specific format) This is a 2-3 page reflection of your project. (refer to packet for specific format) You should define the goal, explain why you chose the project, and explain what you learned from the research as well as from the actual experience of doing the project. You should define the goal, explain why you chose the project, and explain what you learned from the research as well as from the actual experience of doing the project. Include what impact doing the project has on your future career or educational goals. Include what impact doing the project has on your future career or educational goals.

REQUIREMENTS – Final Conference Presentation All projects, regardless of the option chosen, require a Final Conference. All projects, regardless of the option chosen, require a Final Conference. The final conference presentation is the oral portion of the project. The final conference presentation is the oral portion of the project. The student provides a brief, informal verbal presentation to their advisor that includes a meaningful analysis of their project The student provides a brief, informal verbal presentation to their advisor that includes a meaningful analysis of their project

Project Options

GRADUATION PROJECT OPTIONS (refer to pg ) There are three categories from which the students may choose :  Career (Research or Job Shadow)  Service (Community or School)  Academic (Competition, Extension of Research, or Performance)

ALL graduation projects, regardless of the category, require ALL graduation projects, regardless of the category, require  at least 4 pages of research materials  at least 20 hours of activity  a reflection paper  a final conference presentation to the advisor

Project Timeline

GRADUATION PROJECT TIMELINE Spring Select an area of personal interest to be the focus of your project. (May 2014) 2. Complete and submit a project interest card. (by May 7, 2014) 3. Schedule an appointment (#1) and meet with advisor to discuss/confirm the proposed project. (May 12 – May 23, 2014) 4. Complete and return project contract to advisor. (by May 30, 2014)

GRADUATION PROJECT TIMELINE Summer 2014 (optional) You are encouraged to work on the Graduation Project during the summer months. You are encouraged to work on the Graduation Project during the summer months. Summer work must be discussed with the faculty advisor prior to completion or it may not be approved for inclusion as project activity. (contact principal if you are unable to reach your advisor) Summer work must be discussed with the faculty advisor prior to completion or it may not be approved for inclusion as project activity. (contact principal if you are unable to reach your advisor) Students choosing the job shadow option are encouraged to engage in this activity during non- school days. Forms for the job shadow option MUST be accessed from the website. Students choosing the job shadow option are encouraged to engage in this activity during non- school days. Forms for the job shadow option MUST be accessed from the website.

GRADUATION PROJECT TIMELINE Fall Schedule an appointment (#2) and meet with your advisor to present the preliminary plan of your project. (Sept , 2014) 6. Schedule an appointment (#3) and meet with your advisor to show evidence of progress. Continue to work on research and activity. (October – December, 2014)

GRADUATION PROJECT TIMELINE Spring Schedule an appointment (#4) and meet with your advisor to provide a copy of the activity log showing progress to date. (January – February, 2015) 8. Schedule an appointment (#5)and meet with your advisor to present rough draft of your full portfolio, and discuss completion of (By March 27, 2015)

GRADUATION PROJECT TIMELINE Spring Turn in completed project to your advisor. Schedule final conference presentation. (By April 10, 2015) Final conference presentation to advisor must be satisfactorily completed by April 24, 2015!

The project will be under the guidance of a faculty advisor who will provide direction and assistance, but the student carries primary responsibility for directing his/her learning.

Conclusion

GUIDEBOOK DOCUMENTS The Graduation Project Guide includes all documents necessary for completion of the project. (except job shadowing documents) The Central Dauphin School District website also includes these documents. Students choosing the job shadow option MUST access the website to obtain the required documents.

Reminder … Any student who has not completed this requirement for graduation will not be permitted to participate in graduation ceremonies, nor will he/she receive a diploma.

NOW WHAT????? Read Culminating Graduation Project Guide completely for deeper understanding. Ask questions. Read Culminating Graduation Project Guide completely for deeper understanding. Ask questions. Brainstorm areas of interest and discuss with your parent/guardian. Brainstorm areas of interest and discuss with your parent/guardian. Select project option and complete Project Interest Card on or before May 7, Select project option and complete Project Interest Card on or before May 7, Meet with your faculty advisor, and complete project contract by May 30, Meet with your faculty advisor, and complete project contract by May 30, 2014.

GOOD LUCK! The Central Dauphin School District Graduation Project Guide for can be found under Academics on the menu bar of the District website at

Quiz Time!!! (you may refer to the guide)

Who is responsible for the project’s completion? YOU – It’s your responsibility! What consequences (list 2) will result from failure to complete this project? 1. Can’t participate in graduation ceremony 2. Will not receive diploma How will your project be graded? Rubrics (in packet); Satisfactory or Not Satisfactory

What are the 5 REQUIRED items you must include in the ‘student portion’ of your project portfolio. The interest card The signed contract Research Documentation Activity Log Reflection Paper (Extended Research items, if applicable) What guidelines apply to the research portion of your portfolio? (i.e. length, format, content) 4 pages, MLA, Written reaction to each source

What may you record as ‘hours’ to complete your 20 Hour Activity Log? Anytime you spend working on the project (job shadowing, researching, writing your paper, meetings with advisor, etc…) How will you know the required format and content of your Reflection Paper? 2-3 pages; Specific paragraph by paragraph format in packet! List the following due dates: 1 st Assignment; 1 st Meeting, Final Presentation and Portfolio Check your resource!!! Don’t Procrastinate!!!

GOOD LUCK! The Central Dauphin School District Graduation Project Guide for can be found under Academics on the menu bar of the District website at