1. Graduation Project Topic Selection and Proposal

2. Topic Selection Overview Choose Overall Topic of Interest Choose Overall Topic of Interest Choose Research Paper Topic Related to Overall Topic Choose Research Paper Topic Related to Overall Topic Choose Project/Practical Experience Related to Research Paper Topic Choose Project/Practical Experience Related to Research Paper Topic Find Mentor/Expert in the Field for Project Find Mentor/Expert in the Field for Project Complete Appropriate Graduation Project Forms Complete Appropriate Graduation Project Forms Complete Proposal Form Complete Proposal Form

3. Components of Graduation Project Overall Topic of Interest Overall Topic of Interest Choose Topic of Personal Interest i.e. Sports, Photography, Animal Welfare Research Paper Topic Research Paper Topic Must be Related to Some Aspect of Overall Topic Must be Argumentative (Pro and Con) or Research-Based

4. Components of Graduation Project Project/Practical Experience Project/Practical Experience Must Be Connected in Some Way to Paper 15+ Hours of Work Examples: Skill (i.e. Learn to play instrument) Production of Item (i.e. Design & build piece of furniture) Participation in Activity (i.e. CPR classes & certification) Volunteer Work (i.e. Coordinate fundraiser, Coach Special Olympics)

5. Components of Graduation Project Mentor/Expert in the Field Mentor/Expert in the Field Must be 21+ years old Cannot be Family Household Member Mentor May be Expert in Field Mentor May Help You Locate Expert and Coordinate Project

6. Sample Topics Overall Topic Research Paper Project/Experience Youth involved in sports perform better in school Coach a youth soccer team and track academic progress of team members Punk Music Punk music promotes politics Take guitar lessons and perform a song Sports Birth Defects Children with Down Syndrome benefit from Early Intervention services Volunteer at summer camp for children with Down Syndrome and coordinate an event

7. Topic Selection Inappropriate Research Paper Topics: How-to _______ How-to _______ History of _______ History of _______ Opinion papers Opinion papers Informational papers that do not prove a position through research Informational papers that do not prove a position through research

8. Proposal Form Briefly Describe Research Paper Topic Briefly Describe Research Paper Topic Briefly Describe Practical Experience/Product Briefly Describe Practical Experience/Product List Potential Mentor/Expert in Field List Potential Mentor/Expert in Field Parent/Guardian Signature Parent/Guardian Signature Resubmit if Research Paper Topic/Practical Experience Changes Resubmit if Research Paper Topic/Practical Experience Changes English Teacher Approval English Teacher Approval

9. Other Forms Parent/Guardian Consent Parent/Guardian Consent Mentor/Parent Consent Form Mentor/Parent Consent Form Recognition of Risk (if necessary) Recognition of Risk (if necessary) Recognition of Excessive Cost (if necessary-$75+) Recognition of Excessive Cost (if necessary-$75+)