Shippensburg Senior High School

Graduation Project

Student Handbook

Fall 2012

GRADUATION PROJECT STUDENT HANDBOOK

Table of Content

Page

Student Letter ....................................................................................................................... 1

Student Responsibilities ........................................................................................................ 2

PA Public School Code Chapter 4 Requirements ................................................................... 3

The Graduation Project Criteria , Detail and Components..................................................... 3

Graduation Project Topical Guidelines ................................................................................ 4-5

Graduation Project Student Time Lines ................................................................................. 6

Graduation Project Proposal .................................................................................................. 7

Graduation Project Contract .................................................................................................. 8

Student Time-log Form and Journal ...................................................................................... 9

Project Check List................................................................................................................. 10

Request for Presentation and Explanation of Assessment ................................................... 11

Oral Presentation Evaluation Form ....................................................................................... 12

Written Process Self-Guided Questions for paper………………………………………………………………13

Written Process/Procedure Evaluation Form ....................................................................... 14

Written Research Paper Evaluation Research Paper Form ................................................... 15

Remediation .......................................................................................................................... 16

Tips for Using Effective Presentation Skills .......................................................................... 17-18

LETTER TO STUDENTS

Dear Students:

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Shippensburg Area School District require all

students to complete a Graduation Project. Shippensburg Area School District is requiring

each student to complete a minimum of 30 hours toward the project. This handbook will be

your guide through the process. Our hope is that you will select a project that will be both

enjoyable and educational. The Graduation Project is your opportunity to demonstrate your

ability to organize, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information.

You will be meeting bi-monthly with a designated faculty member who will help you begin

developing and organizing your project. We expect that you will begin your planning and

choose a topic for your project, write a proposal, and submit this proposal to your advisor. You

may work individually or with a team of one to three other students within your grade level.

The focus of the project is your choice, but subject to the faculty committee approval.

Whatever area of interest you choose, keep in mind that the project consists of two

components: a written portion and an oral presentation. Everyone must write the paper

whether you are in a group or not.

Your goal is to complete your project during your junior year, this allows time for revisions.

All projects must be completed and presented by your senior year in order to graduate.

Presentations will be made to at least three faculty advisors, (and/or community

members/career tech teachers), who will evaluate your written project and oral presentation

evaluation will be based on the rubrics established.

Good luck as you pursue this challenging and rewarding Graduation Project.

The Administration, Faculty, and Staff of Shippensburg High School

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Student Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of each student at Shippensburg Senior High School to complete a

Graduation Project that involves a minimum of 30 hours. Below is a list of student

responsibilities:

Familiarizing himself/herself with the project requirements

Determining whether he/she will work individually or as a member of a team

Developing an initial project proposal by completing the Project Proposal Form and

finalizing the project proposal and signing the Graduation Project Contract and returning

the form to the advisor

Submitting a Project Proposal with process/procedure to advisor

Submitting a Contract to advisor

Maintaining a Time-log and student journal to verify progress

Attending meetings with advisors as assigned

Presenting the graduation project to the project committee for evaluation

A Final Report Form using the Final Self-Reflection guided questions. Individual repors

must be completed. Group reports are not accepted?

Submitting a new plan to the project committee, based upon areas of remediation if

necessary

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GRADUATION PROJECT

Revision in Chapter 4 of the Pennsylvania Public School Code mandate the following:

"Each school shall specify requirements for graduation in the strategic plan. Requirements shall include course completion and grades, completion of a culminating project, and results of local assessments aligned with the academic standards. The purpose of the culminating project is to assure that students are able to apply, analyze, synthesize and evaluate information and communicate significant knowledge and understanding."

The graduation project will provide all students with an opportunity to demonstrate their cumulative skills and knowledge by completing an independent learning activity. The project is designed to demonstrate the district's standard of outstanding student performance. Students will have the opportunity to exhibit problem solving, self-directed learning, decision making and independent research while exploring a specialized area of interest. Students completing the project may use available expertise, both within and outside the school. Students can make use of any appropriate technologies and show creativity and originality. All projects are to reflect learning relevant to Shippensburg School District graduation standards and be a minimum of 30 hours.

The Graduation Project Criteria and Details

The graduation project:

Select an area to concentrate the project on: Academic projects; Community Service Projects; or Entrepreneur Projects (more details on pages 4-5. )

Complete all components of the Graduation project .

Do an oral presentation (Details on page 12)

After completing the project a written paper must be submitted. This paper must be a minimum of two pages. (Completed on word-processor) This paper will be evaluated on content, organization and grammar. It must state the importance, value and impact of the project. The paper must provide supporting information or data. (Follow the Self-Reflection Guided Questions for the Written paper and Rubric on pages 13-14.)

Components of the Graduation Project

1. Project Proposal Form and Project Contract 2. Time Log/Journal 3. Word processed process/procedure paper summary (minimum of 2 pages) Using the

Final Self-reflection Guided Questions for the written paper found on page 13. 4. Oral presentation (10-15 minutes) with visual and/or technical product 5. Students are required to present their project during their academic career at SASHS.

Students may be able to present beginning the spring semester of their sophomore year.

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Graduation Project Topical Guidelines

A minimum of 30 hours of project time must be completed and logged.

The following project ideas are to serve as EXAMPLES. Students are not limited to these

ideas.

To successfully complete the graduation project requirement, the student may design and/or

develop a project from one of the following areas or in any other area that is judged acceptable

by the advisor.

Academic Projects:

An academic project allows a student to actively acquire knowledge relevant to subject matter

in a discipline area. Students may extend the project beyond a concept completed in a current

or past high school course or select an original concept from a subject area.

1. Math/Computer projects

2. Foreign language software package utilization

3. Architectural design

4. Engineering project

Community Service Projects/Community Improvement Projects

To foster and maintain strong community and education relations, projects in this category

will strive to utilize the available educational resources to improve the lives of members of the

community. A major goal within this realm would be valuable interaction between students

and community members. Examples of community service projects that would be acceptable

as graduation projects include:

1. Coordinating a service project for a philanthropic organization

2. Volunteering at a homeless shelter

3. Volunteering at a soup kitchen

4. Volunteering at a hospital/nursing home

5. Volunteering for Habitat for Humanity

Other community service projects may be approved by the student's advisor/project

coordinator. The community service/community improvement projects cannot be the same as

the project the student is working on for community service class.

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Entrepreneur Projects

Students choosing to complete a project within this area will realize that in order to succeed in

business, mastery of a variety of skill, both social and academic, is required. Students must

plan, develop, and implement a prospective business plan (prospectus). The student will be

held accountable for sound business practices, record-keeping, etc. Examples of entrepreneur

projects that would be acceptable as graduation projects include:

1. Setting up business and keeping all records

2. Forming a company to develop and produce a product

3. Organizing a fundraiser (long term)

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Projected Student Time Lines for Graduation Project

Sophomore Year

September Orientation Meetings to student groups to introduce project concept

Student is assigned to a project advisor

Initial meeting with project advisor

October Explore possible topics (get advice from mentor)

Submit proposal form to advisor

November Graduation project contract signed and submitted to project advisor

December Begin project work January-May Project updates and progress checks in meetings with advisor

Junior Year

September Project update

October Submit a working draft of the process/procedures paper to project advisor

November Project update

December-January Submit the final copy of the process/procedures paper to project advisor

December-January Schedule a time with the project advisor to present the culminating project. The presentation must be completed

Project advisor informs Project Coordinator of incomplete projects.

February-March Remediation for students who have not completed the project.

April-May Submit the final copy of the process/procedures paper to project advisor

April-May Schedule a time with the project advisor to present the culminating project.

Senior Year

September-October Students with incomplete projects meet with project advisor for remediation.

December-January Schedule a time with the project advisor to present the culminating project. Continue remediation if necessary.

April Schedule a time with the project advisor to present the culminating project.

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Project Proposal

Student's Name ______________________________________ Date _____________________

If working with another student - name:_____________________________________________

Career Interest Area _____________________________________________________________

Project Title ____________________________________________________________________

1. Give a brief description of your project:

2. Summarize what you hope to learn as a result of completing and reporting on your topic.

3. List the procedures and materials you plan to use.

__________________________________ ______________________________ Student Signature Parent/Guardian Signature _____ Advisor approves proposal

_____ Advisor disapproves proposal

_____ Advisor refers the proposal to the Project Coordinator for decision.

_______________________________ ____________________________ Advisor’s Signature Project Coordinator Signature

This completed form will be given to the student’s project advisor.

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GRADUATION PROJECT

CONTRACT

Student's Name _________________________________________ Date __________________

Project Title ___________________________________________________________________

________________________________ ___________________________________

Advisor’s Signature Project Coordinator’s Signature

Type of Project (Circle One) (30 hours must be completed)

Academic

Community Service/Community Improvement

Entrepreneur

School

I hereby agree to accept the requirements of the Graduation Project as outlined in Shippensburg Senior High School Graduation Project Student Handbook. I further agree to complete all the requirements by the contract date to be determined by the Project Coordinator.

____________________________________ ______________________________

Student Signature Date

____________________________________ ______________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature Date

This completed form will be given to the student’s project advisor.

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Student Time-Log and JOURNAL

Students are required to keep a time-log and journal as part of the graduation project. The Time-

log and journal will contain the following information:

1. A time-log must be kept each time you work on the project.

2. The journal should show reflections on information learned, related experiences, people

interviewed, etc.

3. The journal could also address problems and questions on the development of the project.

4. The completed time-log needs to be signed by the adult with whom you completed the

project with. Example – person shadowed; organization where community service was

completed.

5. The time-log and journal will be submitted to the committee when the presentation is

done.

Sample Time-log and Journal:

Shippensburg Senior High School

Time-Log Graduation Project

Name:_______________________________________Project:__________________________________

Date: Hours Logged

Advisor Sign.

Journal/Reflection- Student Reflection, progress made; problem, encountered, etc

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Project Check List

Check Appropriate Areas when completed.

Student's Name _____________________________________ Date ____________________

Career Interest Area ____________________________________________________________

Project Title ___________________________________________________________________

DATE IN ITEM

_________ 1. Time Log/Journal

_________ 2. Request for Oral Presentation completed

_________ 3. Written Evaluation/Reflection Paper _______ 4. Oral Presentation Successfully completed _______ 5. Research Paper – If this is the project selected _____ 6. Obtain the proposal and contract from advisor ______________________________________ Student Signature ______________________________________ Evaluator’s Signature

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High School Project

Presentation Request

Student’s Name:____________________________________________________

Grade:___________ Block 1 teacher:___________________________________

Project:____________________________________________________________

High School Teacher Advisor:___________________________________________

*******************************************************************

For Administration Only:

Date Schedule:___________________Time:____________ Location: __________

Explanation of Assessment

All students must successfully complete the oral and written part of the Graduation Project. There are 13 categories for both the written and oral components. Each category will be rated either SUCCESSFUL or UNSUCCESSFUL by each evaluator. If 2 or more of the evaluators score the category as SUCCESSFUL, a point is awarded for that category. Papers and oral presentations receiving 12 or more points will be designated EXEMPLARY. Both the process/procedure and the oral presentation require a minimum score of 10 out of

13 possible points to successfully pass the components.

Both components must be successful to fulfill the graduation project requirements for the

diploma from the Shippensburg School District.

If the score for the process/procedure, research paper or oral presentation is 9 points or below, the component is UNSUCCESSFUL and remediation is necessary.

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Date _______________________ Student's Name _____________________________

SHIPPENSBURG SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

ORAL PRESENTATION EVALUATION RUBRIC

GRADUATION PROJECT

Content Successful Not Successful Introduction: captures, motivate, previews to promote audience's interest.

Body: Explains the importance, value or impact of the project.

Body: Explains the goals and objectives of the project.

Body: Explains the plan of action pursued to complete the project.

Body: Explains the experience, including problems encountered, solutions to problems, supporting information or data.

Conclusion: Statement about how the project is successful and evaluates what has been learned by doing the project.

Delivery

Clear articulation, speaking pace, and pauses.

Demonstrates appropriate physical poise (posture, eye contact)

Audio/Visual Supporting Information

Materials relate directly to the project.

Materials were of good quality and easily seen.

Materials were presented at the proper time.

Student Response

Accurately responds to the panel's questions.

Student meets the time requirement? (10 minute minimum)

Evaluator's Name _________________________________________________________

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Written SELF-REFLECTION Guided Questions

This is to be done individually. Group papers will not be accepted!!

(Questions to use to help write the Written Evaluation) Must be submitted when doing the Oral Presentation!

On the cover Page: (this does not count as part of the two pages)

1. Student's Name 2. Date 3. Project Title

Body of Paper: Respond in writing to the following questions. The paper must be a minimum of two pages.

1. What knowledge, skills, or abilities have you gained as a result of your graduation project?

2. What do you consider to be the major strength of your project?

3. Which part of the project proved to be the most difficult for you?

4. In the future, how will you apply what you have learned?

5. Any other information you want to share…

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Student's Name ____________________________ Date:_________________________

SHIPPENSBURG SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL WRITTEN EVALUATION/REFLECTION RUBRIC

A Paper must be submitted by Everyone Only one team member needs to evaluate the paper

Introduction Successful Not Successful

Provides information necessary to understand the topic.

Contains a statement that identifies the project.

Body

Project Rationale: at least one paragraph explaining why you chose the project.

Goals/Objectives: at least one paragraph explaining what you have attempted to accomplish.

Plan of Action: explain the steps you developed to accomplish the goal of the project.

Actual Experience: use your journal/log to summarize the sequence of steps used to complete the project.

Resources: explain the resources you found to be helpful in completing the project.

Mechanics

Punctuation and Capitalization (3 errors or less)

Spelling (3 errors or less)

Sentence length/structure (3 errors or less)

Grammar usage (3 errors or less)

Conclusion

Provides a clear statement that summarizes the project.

The remainder of the conclusion evaluates what you have learned by doing this project.

THE PAPER MUST BE A MINIMUM OF TWO PAGES

Evaluator's Name ______________________________________________________________

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Student's Name ____________________________Date:_________________

SHIPPENSBURG SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL RESEARCH PROJECT RUBRIC

*Only to be used if the Research Paper is the project selected GRADUATION PROJECT

Structure and Organization Successful Not Successful

Effective introduction, clearly stated analytical thesis

Effective conclusion, proves thesis

Format (follows SASHS Research Guide)

Correct MLA manuscript form

Citations, all sources cited in MLA format

Works Cited page in proper format

Language Usage

Spelling / Sentence Length / Structure

Grammar Usage (i.e. tense, agreement, etc.)

Content

In-depth research (minimum of ten sources, from at least four different types of sources)

Accuracy and quality of information/reasoning

All non-original thought cited in context

Critical Thinking

Thesis supported through adequate research

Evidence of evaluation and comparison of research

Evidence of original ideas supported by research

THE PAPER MUST BE A MINIMUM OF TEN PAGES COMPLETED IN 12 POINT TIMES NEW ROMAN FONT

Evaluator's Name ______________________________________________________________

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REMEDIATION

When remediation is necessary, the following steps will be followed:

1. Student submits a new plan to the advisor, based upon areas of remediation.

2. The advisor approves the new plan and provides the student with feedback on why the plan is not acceptable. 3. Student implements the new plan with revisions based on the advisor's feedback, as necessary. 4. The advisor approves the new presentation and provides the student with feedback on how to improve the presentation. 5. The advisor reevaluates the new presentation. If the student has not completed the project by the end of the junior year: 1. Documentation will be provided to the parents/guardians on their student's status. 2. It is recommended that the oral presentation be scheduled with the original panel no later than the final day of the first oral presentation date of their senior year. 3. The final chance for presentation will be scheduled May date during their senior year. REMEDIATION FOR WRITTEN PAPERS Students may submit a revised paper one time between the stated graduation project paper deadlines. In addition, students are permitted to submit a paper on the date of the stated graduation project paper deadline. Any senior with two failed written attempts during his/her senior year, will be granted one additional opportunity to complete the written requirement . The requirement must be completed at least two weeks before the published graduation date. REMEDIATION FOR ORAL PRESENTATION Any senior with two failed oral presentation attempts during his/her senior year will be granted one additional opportunity to complete the oral presentation requirement. The requirement must be completed at least two weeks before the published graduation date. Students must reach or exceed the requirements for both the written and oral components of the project to fulfill the graduation project requirement for a diploma from Shippensburg Area School District.

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Tips for Using Effective Presentation Skills

Use Eye Contact

Position your body to face the audience.

Continually scan the audience with your eyes.

Avoid extended eye contact with any one person.

Transition smoothly from looking at your notes to looking at the audience.

Be Aware of Voice Tone and Inflection

Vary your inflection to emphasize important words and messages.

Raise your voice when asking questions.

Lower your voice when completing a thought.

Speak Using Clear Sentences

Do not run words together.

Vary your rate of speed to avoid sounding monotonous.

Avoid um's and uh's. If you feel you are about to say um or uh, take a breath.

Pay Attention to Vocabulary

Be clear - match the language to understanding level of the audience. Be colorful - use imagery

to create a vivid picture of your imagination.

Be correct - use consistent terminology and avoid slang.

Pace Your Delivery

Use an appropriate pace.

Estimate how much time you need and then add 25 percent.

Maintain a Comfortable Stance

If using a podium, make it work for you by:

Resting your hands on the podium

If using a table or overhead projector:

Stand by the overhead

Don't block the audience's view

Avoid: Rocking and Slouching

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Controlling Nervousness

Understanding Nervousness

Understanding that several situations can activate nervousness including:

Standing up in front of people Having people look at you while you present Using visual aid equipment Recognizing the consequences of the nervousness if you do not control it. They include: Knees start to shake Heart starts to beat faster Hands shake Controlling Nervousness Rehearse until you feel comfortable with your presentation. Practice the words you will be saying during the first part of the presentation. Check your materials, and practice using visual aids in advance of the presentation. Accept nervousness as an energizer that helps keep you alert and performing at your best.

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