Class of 2017 Senior Project Coordinator: Mrs. Christine Sharkey Senior Project Administrator: Dr. Christiana Smith

What is it?  The Senior Project is a graduation requirement that all students in Appoquinimink School District must complete  It is worth.5 credit

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 Major Components  Product (Service/Creative/Research)  Presentation  Portfolio

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

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.  You may not earn pay for your hours.  Job-shadowing is not volunteer service.

Organizations for volunteer work: Volunteerdelaware.org allows you to search with filters including your availability, distance and interests!

Research Product This is a 9-12 page research paper with a thesis and at least 9 reliable sources. You may propose a topic for your research paper, but will not receive final approval until you have met with an English teacher twice. This is verified by an between the teacher and Mrs. Sharkey. In these meetings, you will show the teacher your outline/plans and research, as well as discuss the process. Meetings must be completed by October 30 th.

Creative product  Creative products vary greatly! Many will require a conversation with staff before receiving final approval.  Consider creating something related to your pathway, or future career.  Examples:  Future teachers-a unit plan  Music- original composition  Science- new tools or technology  Ag- landscape construction plan

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 Forms Please check the website! There will be additional forms there for your to turn in WITH your Topic Approval form for creative products. We need to clearly define what your product will look like now, so there are no problems when you present in March. Depending on the complexity of your project, you may be approved for a partner. BOTH partners will need to submit the Partner Responsibilities form. You will share the PRODUCT only, and each senior will complete their own portfolio.

Events: If you would like to create/host an event, you will NOT BE APPROVED WITHOUT PRIOR BUILDING USE APPROVAL and EVENT CHECKLIST. Funds must also be available to pay for police and custodial fees (up to $1,500.)! See Mrs. Sharkey before submitting an Event Topic Approval form.

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. DEADLINE = SEPTEMBER 16, no exceptions! THINK-PLAN-ACT!

Topic Approval form  The topic approval form lets your teachers know what you are planning to research and hope to do for a product.  The Parent Notification Letter assures AHS that your parents/guardians are aware of the Senior Project that you need to complete.  Your Topic approval form and Parent notification letter is due May 13,  Topics submitted late are not guaranteed approval, therefore you may NOT work on it over the summer.

Due Dates If you are not up to date with items due throughout the Senior Project, you will be INELIGBLE for athletics.

UPDATE for Class of 2017 Your ENTIRE Senior Project will be submitted through SCHOOLOGY. You already have a Schoology log-in. Your password is ASD followed by your student ID. EX: ASD If you need your login information, your current teachers should be able to tell you, or Mrs. Sharkey.

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

Topic Approval and Parent Letter In Schoology, you will see a new course called, “Senior Project.” Click on the Topic Approval “quiz” and answer ALL questions. Your Topic is completely approved ONLY if you earn a score of 100 points. Anything less, and you are NOT approved. There will be comments regarding what you need to do to earn final approval. Parent Letter- Follow directions in the assignment to complete those requirements.

Written component  Your written component is several written pieces that are due at different times and then added to your portfolio.  You will submit ALL work to Schoology. Paper copies will NOT be accepted.  Please keep one copy of each assignment in a binder (your Portfolio) so you are prepared on Senior Project Presentation day (March 17 th ).

Intro and Background Research  You will turn in a ½ page introduction and 4-5 page background research paper on your topic.  Your report should be 4-5 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.  Due dates will be posted in the Fall.

Resume You will create and submit a resume for a part of the written component. The SSP will generate one for you, or you may use your own format. Keep it concise and professional. Include your Name and contact information Education Work and/or volunteer experience Personal References

Reflection and Results Paper This 3-5 page paper is due before Presentation day, once all your senior project work has been completed. There are questions available to guide you in writing this paper. It is NOT a research paper and does NOT require references. You MAY use “I” in this paper. The main points in this paper should also be the main points in your presentation.

Experience Log – ALL PROJECTS  If your product is service or creative, 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 may create your own log, or use the template on the website.

Presentation  On March 17, 2017, 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

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.  Your Schoology account will also show this information.  In order to be eligible for the WOW scholarship award, all components must be turned in by the due dates, and earn a 90% or greater.  Check the website to be sure of the dates at the beginning of the school year – under the senior project tab.

Each step has info Down -load Forms

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.

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).

Approximate due dates Topic approval/Parent Form: May 2016 Introduction to your topic: September 2016 Resume & Experience Log: December 2016 Reflection & Results Paper: January 2016 Background Research: Due in your Senior English class (Fall or Spring) Presentation and Portfolio: March 17, 2017 Dates are subject to change as of 4/27/15

Graduated seniors advise… “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.”

Continued… “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.”

REMIND Sign up now to receive text alerts and reminders regarding your senior project and due dates! The phone number: The Reply with your name, if prompted. Get off to a great start, and Good Luck!