The Senior Project is a year-long research and hands-on project students must complete as part of their graduation requirements. The project is designed to polish students' research skills and to give them real-world knowledge about a subject of their choice. The research paper is compiled and submitted during the fall semester; the product and presentation are revealed during the spring semester.

Four Components of Senior Project

Paper
The paper must be seven pages (minimum) to twelve pages (maximum) - not including Works Cited or Works Consulted. The paper explores some aspect of the issue-based topic, and it must include an interview with someone in the topic field. The paper requires a MINIMUM of four secondary sources (books, magazines, etc.) and one primary source (in-person interview).

Product
The product requires students to have a mentor (an "expert" in the field who can guide a student through his/her learning). The mentor cannot be a family member, an employer, under the age of 21, or a high school faculty/staff member. The mentor must have experience in this area and be at the grading of the product except in emergency situations.

The product may be a physical object created or worked with (a sculpture, car engine, china cabinet), and issue-oriented project where a student takes action (survey, teaching a lesson, holding an assembly, or putting on an event), or a skill learned (learning karate, playing an instrument, decorating a room in a specific style).

The product must represent a minimum of 15 hours of work outside of class time.

Portfolio
The portfolio includes all paperwork, forms, letters, and any other paperwork associated with and reflective of the Senior Project.

Other Important Tasks

Board of Commitment
The Board of Commitment is a poster board that contains the student's first and last name, research paper topic, and product information. It is displayed for the majority of the year.

Sign of Commitment
The Sign of Commitment is a portfolio cover that contains the student's first and last name, research paper topic, and product information - much like the Board of Commitment but smaller in size.

Tri-Fold Display Board
The Tri-Fold Display Board is a presentation board that contains the student's first and last name, research paper topic, and product information. It must contain visuals illustrating progress during Senior Project. Students must refer to their display boards during their presentations.

For additional information about Senior Project email Tobi McMillan.