CENTRAL DAUPHIN SCHOOL DISTRICT

GRADUATION PROJECT GUIDE2013-2014

STUDENTS

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

As mandated by the Commonwealth of As mandated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Central Dauphin School Pennsylvania, Central Dauphin School District has adopted this project as a District has adopted this project as a requirement for graduation from high requirement for graduation from high school.school.

These guidelines emphasize that both These guidelines emphasize that both PROCESS and PRODUCT are important PROCESS and PRODUCT are important components of the graduation project.components of the graduation project.

The project gives each student an The project gives each student an opportunity for in-depth learning on a self-opportunity for in-depth learning on a self-selected topic of interest.selected topic of interest.

INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION (cont.)(cont.)

The Principal is responsible for the coordination The Principal is responsible for the coordination of the Graduation Project.of the Graduation Project.

The project will be under the guidance of a The project will be under the guidance of a faculty advisor who will provide direction and faculty advisor who will provide direction and assistance, but assistance, but the student carries primary the student carries primary responsibilityresponsibility for directing his/her learning. for directing his/her learning.

Any student who has not completed this Any student who has not completed this requirement for graduation will not be requirement for graduation will not be permitted to participate in graduation permitted to participate in graduation ceremonies, nor will he/she receive a ceremonies, nor will he/she receive a diploma.diploma.

Project GuidelinesProject Guidelines

GUIDELINESGUIDELINES(refer to pages 4 and 5)(refer to pages 4 and 5)

ALLALL graduation projects, regardless of graduation projects, regardless of the category, require a portfolio which the category, require a portfolio which includes: includes: researchresearch, , at least 20 hours of at least 20 hours of activity,activity, a reflection papera reflection paper, and a, and a final final conference presentation conference presentation to the advisor.to the advisor.

Projects will be evaluated by the advisor Projects will be evaluated by the advisor using a set of rubrics. Projects will be using a set of rubrics. Projects will be scored as scored as satisfactorysatisfactory or or not yet not yet satisfactorysatisfactory..

REQUIREMENTS – PortfolioREQUIREMENTS – PortfolioPortfolios may be very simple (pocket folder) or Portfolios may be very simple (pocket folder) or

very elaborate (3-ring binder with graphics, very elaborate (3-ring binder with graphics, titles, etc.)titles, etc.)

STUDENT PORTIONSTUDENT PORTION:: The interest card The interest card The signed contractThe signed contract Research Documentation Research Documentation Activity LogActivity Log Reflection Paper Reflection Paper Extended Research items, if applicableExtended Research items, if applicable

The advisor will attach evaluation rubrics and the The advisor will attach evaluation rubrics and the portfolio checklist.portfolio checklist.

REQUIREMENTS – ResearchREQUIREMENTS – Research

All projects, regardless of the option chosen, All projects, regardless of the option chosen, require research.require research.

You must include You must include at least four pagesat least four pages of of printed material. (pictures, interviews, printed material. (pictures, interviews, computer searches, articles, brochures, etc.)computer searches, articles, brochures, etc.)

Sources must be documented in MLA format.Sources must be documented in MLA format.

You must provide a thoughtful description or You must provide a thoughtful description or reaction for each source you document. reaction for each source you document.

REQUIREMENTS – Activity REQUIREMENTS – Activity LogLog

You must use the document on pg. 12 You must use the document on pg. 12 to record the “who, what, when, and to record the “who, what, when, and where” of all activities.where” of all activities.

You must complete at least 20 hours of You must complete at least 20 hours of activity.activity.

This includes hours completing the This includes hours completing the project project andand hours completing the hours completing the research related to the project.research related to the project.

REQUIREMENTS – Reflection REQUIREMENTS – Reflection PaperPaper

This is a 2-3 page reflection of your project. This is a 2-3 page reflection of your project. (refer to packet for specific format)(refer to packet for specific format)

You should define the goal, explain why you You should define the goal, explain why you chose the project, and explain what you chose the project, and explain what you learned from the research as well as from learned from the research as well as from the actual experience of doing the project.the actual experience of doing the project.

Include what impact doing the project has on Include what impact doing the project has on your future career or educational goals.your future career or educational goals.

REQUIREMENTS – REQUIREMENTS – Final Conference PresentationFinal Conference Presentation

The final conference presentation is the The final conference presentation is the oral portion of the project.oral portion of the project.

The student provides a brief, informal The student provides a brief, informal verbal presentation to their advisor that verbal presentation to their advisor that includes a meaningful analysis of their includes a meaningful analysis of their projectproject

Project OptionsProject Options

GRADUATION PROJECT OPTIONSGRADUATION PROJECT OPTIONS((refer to pg. 6 - 8)refer to pg. 6 - 8)

There are three categories from which the There are three categories from which the students may choose : students may choose :

Career (Research or Job Shadow)Career (Research or Job Shadow) Service (Community or School)Service (Community or School) Academic (Competition, Extension Academic (Competition, Extension

of of Research, or Research, or Performance)Performance)

ALLALL graduation projects, regardless graduation projects, regardless of the category, require of the category, require

at least 4 pages of research materials at least 4 pages of research materials at least 20 hours of activity at least 20 hours of activity a reflection paper a reflection paper a final conference presentation to the a final conference presentation to the

advisoradvisor

Project TimelineProject Timeline

GRADUATION PROJECT TIMELINEGRADUATION PROJECT TIMELINESpring 2013Spring 2013

1.1. Select an area of personal interest to be the Select an area of personal interest to be the focus of your project. (May 2013)focus of your project. (May 2013)

2.2. Complete and submit a project interest Complete and submit a project interest card. (by May 10, 2013)card. (by May 10, 2013)

3.3. Schedule an appointment (#1) and meet Schedule an appointment (#1) and meet with advisor to discuss/confirm the with advisor to discuss/confirm the proposed project. (May 13 – May 24, 2013)proposed project. (May 13 – May 24, 2013)

4.4. Complete and return project contract to Complete and return project contract to advisor. (by May 28, 2013)advisor. (by May 28, 2013)

GRADUATION PROJECT GRADUATION PROJECT TIMELINETIMELINE

Summer 2013 (optional)Summer 2013 (optional) You are encouraged to work on the Graduation You are encouraged to work on the Graduation

Project during the summer months. Project during the summer months.

Summer work must be discussed with the Summer work must be discussed with the faculty advisor prior to completion or it may faculty advisor prior to completion or it may not be approved for inclusion as project not be approved for inclusion as project activity. (contact principal if you are unable to activity. (contact principal if you are unable to reach your advisor)reach your advisor)

Students choosing the job shadow option are Students choosing the job shadow option are encouraged to engage in this activity during encouraged to engage in this activity during non-school days. Forms for the job shadow non-school days. Forms for the job shadow option option MUSTMUST be accessed from the website. be accessed from the website.

GRADUATION PROJECT TIMELINEGRADUATION PROJECT TIMELINEFall 2013Fall 2013

5.5. Schedule an appointment (#2) and meet with Schedule an appointment (#2) and meet with your advisor to present the preliminary plan of your advisor to present the preliminary plan of your project. (Sept. 16-27, 2013) your project. (Sept. 16-27, 2013)

6.6. Schedule an appointment (#3) and meet with Schedule an appointment (#3) and meet with your advisor to show evidence of progress. your advisor to show evidence of progress. Continue to work on research and activity. Continue to work on research and activity. (October – December, 2013) (October – December, 2013)

GRADUATION PROJECT TIMELINEGRADUATION PROJECT TIMELINESpring 2014Spring 2014

7.7. Schedule an appointment (#4) and meet with Schedule an appointment (#4) and meet with your advisor to provide a copy of the activity your advisor to provide a copy of the activity log showing progress to date. (January – log showing progress to date. (January – February, 2014)February, 2014)

8.8. Schedule an appointment (#5)and meet with Schedule an appointment (#5)and meet with your advisor to present rough draft of your your advisor to present rough draft of your full portfolio, and discuss completion of (By full portfolio, and discuss completion of (By March 28, 2014)March 28, 2014)

GRADUATION PROJECT TIMELINEGRADUATION PROJECT TIMELINESpring 2014Spring 2014

9.9. Turn in completed project ot your advisor. Turn in completed project ot your advisor. Schedule final conference presentation. (By Schedule final conference presentation. (By

April 11, 2014)April 11, 2014)

Final conference presentation to Final conference presentation to advisor must be advisor must be satisfactorilysatisfactorily completed by April 25, 2014!completed by April 25, 2014!

The project will be under the guidance The project will be under the guidance of a faculty advisor who will provide of a faculty advisor who will provide

direction and assistance, but direction and assistance, but the the student carries primary student carries primary

responsibilityresponsibility for directing his/her for directing his/her learning.learning.

ConclusionConclusion

GUIDEBOOK DOCUMENTSGUIDEBOOK DOCUMENTS

The The Graduation Project GuideGraduation Project Guide includes all includes all documents necessary for completion of the documents necessary for completion of the project. (except job shadowing documents)project. (except job shadowing documents)

The Central Dauphin School District website The Central Dauphin School District website also includes these documents. Students also includes these documents. Students choosing the choosing the job shadowjob shadow option option MUSTMUST access access the website to obtain the required documents. the website to obtain the required documents.

Reminder …Reminder …

Any student who has not completed Any student who has not completed this requirement for graduation will this requirement for graduation will not be permitted to participate in not be permitted to participate in graduation ceremonies, nor will graduation ceremonies, nor will he/she receive a diploma.he/she receive a diploma.

NOW WHAT?????NOW WHAT????? Read Culminating Graduation Project Guide Read Culminating Graduation Project Guide

completely for deeper understanding. Ask completely for deeper understanding. Ask questions.questions.

Brainstorm areas of interest and discuss with Brainstorm areas of interest and discuss with your parent/guardian.your parent/guardian.

Select project option and complete Project Select project option and complete Project Interest Card on or before Interest Card on or before May 10, 2013May 10, 2013..

Meet with your faculty advisor, and complete Meet with your faculty advisor, and complete project contract by May 24, 2013.project contract by May 24, 2013.

GOOD LUCK!GOOD LUCK!

The Central Dauphin School District Graduation Project Guide for 2013-2014 can be found under

Academics on the menu bar of the District website at www.cdschools.org