Senior Projects
2008 Senior Project Overview
The purpose of the senior projects is for the student to depart from the conventional school day and to broaden their learning experiences outside the classroom. Students have two weeks to focus on furthering the pursuit of an interest they may already have, or gain have hands on experiences in new fields of interests.
The project should fit into one of the following categories:
- It may be oriented to the community, involving work for a non-profit service organization, whether cultural, political, or environmental.
- It may be an apprentice-type work experience such as a teacher's aide, lab assistant, hospital aide.
- It may be primarily academic in nature such as an independent interdisciplinary or in-depth study.
No senior may choose a project that requires he/she use a project as a job, for which he/she receives pay. Immediate family members may not be off-campus advisors.
Laguna faculty may assist in creating a worthwhile, individually tailored project; however, it is ultimately the senior's responsibility.
Nuts and Bolts of the Project
Information about the project will be presented to seniors during a special assembly on April 10. Seniors must secure a Laguna faculty advisor by April 18, and complete senior project proposal forms complete with all signatures for approval by April 25. The senior project committee will review senior project proposal for approval. Projects will be approved by April 29. The committee will also determine final grades. This year the committee includes: Trish McHale, Holly Haycock, Harry Sims, Katherine Pointer, and David Barndollar.
Projects begin on May 19 and end on May 30. Seniors are required to devote a minimum of 60 hours to their project. During that time seniors must confer with their Laguna advisor at least once.
The Senior Project Final Assessment
Each senior will submit a three-page, 1000-word paper (MLA format), due at the speech rehearsal. One third of the paper will summarize your activities, and the remainder will describe insights you gained and the project's possible impact on your future.
Each senior is expected to write a speech in preparation for senior project presentations on June 9 and 10. A rough draft of the speech should be reviewed with the advisor. Seniors have a mandatory presentation rehearsal with Ms. McHale the week of June 2-6 . Videos and Power Point presentations must be completed and approved prior to rehearsals. If planning to use Power Point, seniors must schedule an appointment with Ms. Remick for the week of June 2 - 6.
Grades for the project will be based on the following:
- Meeting deadlines: turning forms in on time, meeting with advisor/me on time.
- Level of involvement in project as reported by on-campus advisor in the Mid-Project Form, and the Project Summary Form.
- Evaluations of student's performance by off-campus advisor.
- Oral presentation: Written speech, delivery, appearance, use of media aides, handling of questions.
Grades appear on student transcripts. They are: Honors, High Pass, Pass, Low Pass, Fail
The Role of the Faculty Advisor
All professional staff members (teachers, counselors, and administrators) are available as advisors. Advisors should work with no more than three Seniors.
1. To act as a consultant to the student before the project proposal is submitted to the committee:
a. to assist in determining reasonable objectives for the available time,
b. to make sure signed proposals are submitted to Ms. Trish McHale by April 25, (keep copies for your records)
c. to complete the Project Summary Report by June 6.
2. To communicate with students via email, in person or by phone at least twice during the project.
3. To provide articulation between the student and the Senior Project Committee, particularly to inform the committee of individual students' abilities and appropriateness of goals and activities.
4. To contact the off campus supervisor prior to the project start in order to exchange necessary information.
