1. Senior Projects 2014
English IV

2. What is a Senior Project?
The Senior Project is an opportunity to investigate something of interest to you.
The project consists of three main parts:
a research paper that answers a question about a chosen topic
a physical project: something you do, or make, or become
and an oral presentation.

3. No, really, what is a Senior Project?
It is a five-month exploration of something that really interests you.
It could be related to a future career, but it doesn’t have to be.

4. Step One: Choosing an Interest
Choosing a Senior Project topic is like choosing a friend to take on a long road trip. You’ll want to pick… Someone you’re comfortable with – after all, it’s a long journey!
Someone you’re curious about. What do you want to learn about them along the way?

5. Step One: Choosing an Interest
Consider mining your “bucket list.” What’s something you’ve always wanted to do? Something you’ve always been curious about?

6. Step Two: Defining Project and Question
Your physical project is the thing you intend to do, or make, or become during the next five months.
“I want to become a ninja.”
“I want to completely rebuild a 1967 Corvette Stingray.”
“I want to recreate the environment in which the dinosaurs lived.”

7. Step Two: Defining Project and Question
Your physical project will help to answer a particular question about your project. You will also answer that question in a research paper.
“What was the role of the ninja in feudal Japan?”
“How can automobile repair serve as a kind of meditation?”
“Did a higher oxygen content in the atmosphere allow dinosaurs to grow so large?”

8. Step Two: Defining Project and Question
You may want (or need) to refine your project and question to ensure you will be able to complete it during the allotted time.
“How can I reach the rank of beginner in the study of ninjitsu?”

9. Step Three: Seeking Approval for the Project
Your Letter of Intent is how you will inform me and your family of your Senior Project plans. This letter first goes home for a signature by your parent or guardian, and then is returned to be approved by myself.
In approving Proposals, I will look to see that the project addresses a thoughtful question that is neither too broad nor too narrow and that the physical project offers you a clear challenge in light of your background.

10. Step Four: Creating a Commitment Poster
Your commitment poster is your chance to “go public” with your choice for a Senior Project.
The poster will allow the class to see what you are up to.

11. Step Five: Answering the Question
The first major component of the Senior Project is to plan and write a research paper that records your attempts to answer your thesis question.
Your paper must include information from interviews of at least two people who are experts in your subject. These interviews must be conducted in person.

12. Step Five: Answering the Question
Another requirement of the Senior Project will be to visit a place related to your topic. This visit should help in answering the question for your paper.

13. Step Five: Answering the Question
One of the most important parts of your paper will be the section in which you reflect on what you learned while investigating your topic.
Throughout the process of writing the paper, use your teachers (and your mentor) as guides and resources.

14. Step Six: Creating the Project
The second part of your senior project is to engage in a challenging activity related to the topic of your paper.
You will be assisted by a mentor from the staff or community who will provide you with expertise.

15. Step Seven: Presenting the Project
Before your presentation, you will prepare an attractive, culminating portfolio. Use whatever organizational means necessary to make a clean, attractive presentation.
When your paper and project are complete, you will give a presentation to the class. Presentations should be carefully planned to be fifteen minutes long, after which the class and I will conduct a two-minute question period before evaluation.

16. Frequently Asked Questions:
With approval, two students may work together to complete a mentored project (proportionally increasing the hourly requirement). Students must, however, submit a compelling rationale in their Proposals and complete separate papers and presentations. The proposals must be submitted together.
You may submit incomplete projects that represent sufficient quality and effort.
You are not permitted to legally miss school for any work on the project!

17. Tentative Calendar for Senior Projects
Assignments
Points
Page Length
Due Date
Letter of Intent
15 points
1 – 1 ½ pages
Oct. 31
Proposal Rough Draft
10 points
3 pages
Nov. 14
Proposal Final Draft
50 points
2 pages
Dec. 5
Mentor Letter

18. Tentative Calendar for Senior Projects
Assignments
Points
Page Length
Due Date
Interviews
30 points
2 pages each
Jan. 9
Jan. 30
Visitation
10 points
2 pages
Feb. 13
Research Paper
First Draft
15 points
10-12 pages with
Works Cited sheet
Feb. 27
Final Draft
300 points
Work Cited Sheet
April 3

19. Tentative Calendar for Senior Projects
Assignments
Points
Page Length
Due Date
SPRING BREAK
April 6-10
Product Log
and Product
100 points
Log minimum
of 15 hours
April 27
Presentation
200 points
10-15 minutes
with questions
Portfolio
Due the day
of presentation