1. CLASS OF 2016

2.  No longer a research paper component  Research papers are still required for Junior English classes, but are no longer part of the Graduation Project requirement  You are now permitted to complete all or a portion of your project over the summer  You must submit a Project Proposal by May 20  Hours will not count for projects that aren’t approved

3.  As part of the Seneca Valley School District policy, a graduation project must be completed in order to receive a diploma.  The Graduation Project consists of three parts:  Project  Portfolio  Presentation

4.  Should express a CLEAR and DEFINABLE PURPOSE  Represent a CHALLENGE to you  Produce a product and/or clear record of verification  Minimum 30 hours OUTSIDE of school hours  You must choose a mentor – over 21 and not related to you

5.  Fundraising  Careers  Product Outcome  Volunteer work (specific responsibility)  Engineering Certification

6.  Must be for a recognized non-profit charity  Local charities would be most beneficial but not mandatory  Must be able to earn $1000 for your charity  $1000 shows proper planning and time management  If you don’t think you could reasonably raise that amount, you should look to another project  Must be able to show a plan before approval

7.  Perfect if you’re thinking about a specific occupation or just find something interesting  Job shadowing – must get approval from the company/business BEFORE approval  Cannot be related to business owner  Must show that you will have a responsibility while you are shadowing  Something that you can offer this business

8.  You are manually creating something  Great for those who like to work with their hands  Whatever you create YOU MUST DONATE  To rebuild a car engine that you bought is self serving.  You could rebuild that car engine and donate the car to a non-profit organization

9.  Many organizations need your help  You must undertake a responsibility for that group  You cannot volunteer at the Humane Society and play with dogs and call it a project.  You could volunteer for Habitat For Humanity and help build houses or a senior citizen home and be responsible for Activity Night.

10.  Food drives are limited!!!!  Too many students/volunteers oversaturate the market  Contact places early  Stay in the area in which you live  Cranberry Municipal Building will require clearances AT THE TIME OF SUBMITTING REQUEST FOR USE OF PROPERTY

11.  Specialty board  You need to see Mr. Walker about qualifications

12.  Creation of a Seneca Valley School District App  A 67 mile motorcycle run as a benefit  A spaghetti dinner that raised over $3000 for a special needs school  Published children’s book

13.  What is something in which I have an interest?  You’ll be spending a good portion of your senior year dealing with this in one way or another  Is it a challenge for me?  Making a cd of your music isn’t a big challenge if your parents own a recording studio  Can I get 20+hours devoted to this?  An ice cream social for senior citizens is a nice idea, but wouldn’t reach minimum hours  Would this activity/event occur without me?

14.  Does my success depend on something out of my control?  Weather  Another person (their priorities might not be the same as yours)  Availability of equipment/venue?  Can I make a specific step-by-step plan to accomplish this goal?  Necessary for validation of project

15.  You will submit a portfolio of all of your work including resume, time cards, reflections, evidence of work, and other items  Judges evaluate your portfolio as well as your English teacher  Must contain ALL required items in order to receive full credit

16.  You will present your project to a panel of 4-6 judges next year  Friday, May 20, 2016  Don’t plan events for that morning  Presentation must be between 8-10 minutes and show panel what your project was and what you learned from it  Judged solely by board judges  PROOF!

17.  If any of these three components are not submitted or completed satisfactorily, you will NOT receive a diploma  Summer School after your senior year

18.  Take time to pick your project. Again…you will be spending a lot of time on this  If you make it interesting for yourself, it isn’t really “work.”  Once you pick it….it’s yours. Do your due diligence NOW  Do not procrastinate  You get stressed thinking about just your project and all other classes suffer  Plan accordingly – Murphy’s Law  Don’t leave things to chance. Plan for any contingency  Plan for the worst, hope for the best!

19.  You should take away a new knowledge from the completion of this project….something that you can take with you after you leave  Don’t look at it negatively  Take pride in all of your work…your name is attached to it!  Aim High!