1. Mr. Penza Senior Project Coordinator East Greenwich Public Schools

2. “I did not know” is not an excuse!
How do I stay informed?
“I did not know” is not an excuse!
Ways to stay informed about Senior Project
Mr. Penza directly
Senior Project Website
Stop by Room 243 and schedule an appointment

3. Why Senior Project? Because RIDE says so! RI Board of Regents:
Senior Project is part of the Proficiency Based Graduation Requirement mandated by the Department of Education
RI Board of Regents:
“…all high schools shall provide evidence of the manner in which they incorporate applied learning skills in communication, problem solving, critical thinking, research, and reflection/evaluation across all content areas…”

4. Core Components of Senior Project
Topic Selection
Letter of Intent
Mentor
Field Work
Research Paper
Product
Presentation
Portfolio

5. Senior Project Component * Topic Selection *
Students will select a topic about which they are interested
The best topics are those about which students have a real desire to learn more
The project must represent a “learning stretch”
Students may have previous skills or experience in the area which they are considering….
BUT
In order to fulfill Senior Project they will have to explore this subject in a genuinely new and challenging manner, not simply repeat what they already know or have previously learned.

6. Senior Project Component * Learning Stretch *
What is a learning stretch?
A learning stretch is defined as the demonstration of knowledge and research over and beyond previously learned material. 
Ex: A student may have been playing soccer all of his/her life but has never coached someone on how to play soccer.

7. Senior Project Component * Letter of Intent *
First Piece of Senior Project
Part of the final portfolio
Student outlines his/her Senior Project
Reviewed and assessed by the EGHS Faculty

8. LOI Presentation Logistics
Will be built in to the school day.
Seniors will present their Senior Project to a panel of three judges. At least one of the teachers on the panel will have had the student for a year in class.
Every senior must present, regardless of whether or not they are following the early or regular presentation schedule
Presentations will last two minutes with an additional two minutes given for judges questions
This will be a common task for English using the School Wide Oral Presentation Rubric

9. Senior Project Component * Mentor *
Who can be a Mentor?
Must be at least 21 years of age
Must be willing to give 15 hours of unpaid field work time with student
Can not be a family member or relative
Can not be a current employer
Can not be a teacher at EGHS

10. Senior Project Component * Mentor *
What is the role of a Mentor?
Advises student on field work
Signs off on field work log
The “teacher” of skills used to create product
Helps guide student in creation of product
Active guide for discussion and reflection on the field work process

11. Senior Project Component * Field Work *
Defined as documented hours of work a student will complete with his/her mentor during his/her senior year.
Must be done with a Mentor
Must represent a learning stretch
F.W. Log required to document hours
Field work process must equal Product

12. Senior Project Component * Research Paper *
Thesis driven
Five to eight pages in length
Must have a connection to Senior Project Topic
Will be taught/covered in Junior and Senior full-year English Classes
Can be written in student's junior year as well as senior year
PBGR Coordinator is teacher/ assessor for students taking elective English classes

13. Connecting the Research Paper to Senior Project
All students will include in their Senior Project Portfolios an abstract (summary sheet) of their Research Paper that conforms to the following Guide Sheet.
Abstract Guide Sheet
Paragraph One:
What is your Research Paper thesis?
Summarize the main points you use to support your thesis.
What kind of sources did you use to support your thesis?
What conclusions can you draw from your work writing your Research Paper?
Paragraph Two:
Explain how and why you became interested in your Research Paper topic.
Did you learn anything surprising while doing you research?
Did you change you point of view in the midst of the research?
What is the connection between the research paper and your senior project?
How was your paper related to your product?
Paragraph Three:
Describe your learning stretch.
How was your project a challenge for you and how did it “stretch” your skills and knowledge?
What types of problems did you have to solve?

14. Senior Project Component * Product *
The products require students to apply the knowledge gained during the fieldwork phase.
Products must have a clear “learning stretch”
The products must be completed on the students’ own time, must be challenging, and must require at least fifteen hours of work.
Mentors may work with students to develop their product during this phase of Senior Project

15. Senior Project Component * Presentation *
Delivered to a panel of judges (teachers, community members, etc.)
Eight to twelve minutes long
Students will have a clear outline to follow
Can be practiced after school in Room 112
Each student will explain:
Connection of Research Paper and Project
Learning Stretch of Project
Description of Product

16. Senior Project Component * Portfolio *
Given to Senior Project Panels before Presentation
Includes:
Letter of Introduction to Judges
Letter of Intent
Mentor Information/Parental Acknowledgement Form
Research Paper Abstract
Fieldwork Time Log signed by your mentor
Four Fieldwork Journal entries
Completed Product

17. Senior Project Example
Bob Smith
Playing acoustic guitar, woodshop, football, karate, band
Topic: Acoustic Guitars
Letter of Intent: Build an acoustic guitar
Mentor: Matt Brown (owns custom guitar shop)
Field Work: Bob will
learn how to put together a custom guitar
learn what types of woods and metals are best in making an acoustic guitar
learn how custom guitars are bought and sold from a small business owner
Research Paper: The use of Mahogany as the top wood in an acoustic guitar creates the best overall sound.
Product: A completed acoustic guitar with a price analysis that compares the price / benefits of making an acoustic guitar with the price/ benefits of buying one “off the shelf”

18. What should Juniors do NOW!!
Don’t Panic
Dates change but the timeline doesn’t
Talk to seniors about their S.P. experience
The dos & don’ts
Talk to Mr. Penza 
Look at your possible S.P. interests
Try to tailor your junior research paper around these
Keep EVERYTHING regarding your Research Paper
Rubrics, drafts, teacher-corrected pieces, electronic copies, etc.
Think about submitting your LOI early

19. Questions for Brainstorming Topics – S.P. & R.P.
Within the next five years what things do you hope to have accomplished?
What things would you like to be able to do better?
What do you wish you had more time for?
What things would you like to learn more about?
List some experiences that you really wish you could have.
What controversial issues do you really feel strongly about?
What is a profession you think about but have not seriously explored?
What is one thing you believe needs to be improved?
What classes have you taken and really liked?
What is one handcrafted item you wish you could own?
What do you wish would happen in your life?
What goal have you avoided?
What do you complain about?
What do you like to get others to do?
What is special or unique about you?
What community group do you belong to / wish you belonged to?
What can’t you do, but would like to do?
If you could earn $ an hour doing anything, what would it be?