The Senior Project

The Senior Project A step by step guide from beginning to end Click the Tiger to return home

Table of Contents • Click on the links below to learn about the different parts of the Senior Project • Part 1: “Help! I don’t know what I am doing…” • An introduction to the Senior project • Understanding the prior approval forms • Ideas for each type of project • Part 2: “I’ve been approved, now what?!” • Prior project steps • During the project steps • Part 3: “Approved? Check. Project done? Check…” • Finalizing your project • Organizing your papers Start Here Click the Tiger to return home

Congratulations! You are on your way to graduation. The senior project is just ONE piece of your final EHS Senior Experience. This PowerPoint is going to take you through the Senior Project process step by step. Good Luck! Click the Tiger to return home

The EHS Senior Experience • The Three Pieces of the EHS Senior Experience • Senior Portfolio • Showing what you have accomplished the last 4 years. To be completed during Careers class. • Senior Project • Participating in a hands-on project and connecting it to a possible future career. To be discussed and worked on during advisory. • Exit Presentation • Sharing who you are, what you have learned and where you are going. To be worked on during Careers class. Click the Tiger to return home

Step 1: What Do You Want to Do After High School? • The first thing you need to do is think about the following questions: • What career are you interested in having as an adult? • What skills do you have that you want to utilize in a career? • What could you do to help your community? Click the Tiger to return home

Step 2: Pick an Experience Type • Those questions are to help you decide what type of project you want to complete. • You have 3 choices, choose 1 of the following: 1. Job Shadow 2. Service Project 3. Performance or Skill-based Project Click the Tiger to return home

The Job Shadow • This is a good project to do if you have a career or two in mind for after high school. • During your project you will follow a person who has that job. • You will ask questions and get a feel for what that job entails on a daily basis. • There is an 8 hour minimum for the Job Shadow Project. Click the Tiger to return home

Service Project • If you want to do a project that helps your community, this is the one for you. • You will come up with a project to complete that benefits the community, and carry out that project. • You would be required to work with an agency or organization for this project • The time minimum for a service project is 8 hours. Click the Tiger to return home

Performance or Skill-Based Project • This is a very hands-on project. • You will demonstrate a skill your have (ex. rebuilding a car engine) or show your abilities in front of an audience (ex. a solo concert) • The minimum time frame for this project is also 8 hours, but it is very likely you will do more. Click the Tiger to return home

Project Do’s and Don’ts • DO: Venture out of your comfort zone • You may not job shadow anyone at Ephrata High School • Get out of the environment you are in everyday and see/do something new • DON’T: Wait until the last moment • It is hard to give something you full attention if you are constantly worried about deadlines and “just getting it over with” Click the Tiger to return home

Project Do’s and Don’ts • DO: Go big or Go home • Pick something that could be life changing for you, not just something you can get done in a weekend. • This project is meant to help you grow as a person and guide you toward a career you will love. • DON’T: Job Shadow/Work with a close family member • Again, this is meant to get you away from your comfort zone (school, work, family) and get you out there in your community. Click the Tiger to return home

Project Do’s and Don’ts • DON’T: Double Dip! • You may not use your time to accomplish two different tasks at once. • For example: • Timmy wants to be a carpenter. For his project, he is going to build an intricately carved canopy bed. He would not be allowed to use school time/class time to work on his project. He would have to work on it outside of the normal school day. • Bethany wants to be a dancer. She is going to put on a recital for her project. She would not be able to use the recital if it were already being put on by her ballet class. Instead, she would need to create a separate recital that she promotes, plans, and stars in. Click the Tiger to return home

Having Troubles? • If you are having difficulties choosing a focus, see one of the counselors in the counseling center. • They are full of great ideas (and have good community contacts). • There will also be ideas after the approval forms are described in this presentation. • Can’t wait that long? • Click here: Job Shadow Ideas • Click here: Service Project Ideas • Click here: Performance or Skill Project Ideas Click the Tiger to return home

Step 3: Make Some Phone Calls • Before you can start filling out the required paperwork for your project, you need to make some phone calls • Come up with a list of at least 3 businesses, agencies, or possible supervisors that you would like to work with for your project. • Then, call the first one on your list….. Click the Tiger to return home

Phone Calling Etiquette • Making professional phone calls can be scary. Here is a sample introduction to a conversation: • “Hi, my name is ________. I am a senior at Ephrata High school. In order to graduate I need to complete a senior project, and I was hoping to talk with someone about the possibility of me completing a _________ (job shadow, service project) with someone on your staff.” Click the Tiger to return home

Phone Calling Etiquette • Make sure to get names of contacts, contact information, and possible dates of your project. • If the business is not interested be sure to be polite and thank them for their time Click the Tiger to return home

Step 4: Paperwork • Before you can go out into the community for your experience YOU MUST BE PREAPPROVED for your project. • Download a copy of your approval form on the Ephrata website www.ephrataschools.org • Go to “Ephrata High School” and click on the link for “Senior Information” • There you will find the link to the approval forms. • OR click on the desired link below • Job Shadow Prior Approval Form • Service Project Prior Approval Form • Performance or Skill-Based Prior Approval Form Click the Tiger to return home

Step 1: Fill out the following information in the “Step 1” box Your Name Your Career Interest Information about your supervisor, business, agency, program Supervisor’s name (not your EHS advisor) Expected dates for your project The Prior Approval Form Click the Tiger to return home

The Prior Approval Form • Step 2: Signed Letter of Approval from Supervisor • At this point you probably have a verbal agreement with your supervisor that you will be working with for your Senior Project. • Now we need written consent as proof that your supervisor knows you are coming. • Have them write and sign a letter, then attach it to your “Prior Approval Form” Click the Tiger to return home

Step 3: Career/Service Research Paper This will be a typed paper showing the school that you have researched a career and know what you are getting in to. This is to be in bullet form, 12pt Times New Roman font The Prior Approval Form Click the Tiger to return home

The Prior Approval Form • Step 3: Career Research Paper • Please use spell check before you attach this form. If it is not done in a careful manner, it will be handed back to you to be redone. • Research the career using WOIS or Occupational Outlook Handbook (see EHS library Careers and Scholarships link) Click the Tiger to return home

The Prior Approval Form • Step 3: Career Research Paper • Click on the link below to see an example of a Career Research Paper • Job Shadow Example • Service Project Example • Performance or Skill Based Example Click the Tiger to return home

The Prior Approval Form • Step 4: Get it signed • Once you have contacted your supervisor, gotten a letter, AND typed and printed your research paper, get this form signed by your parent/guardian and your EHS advisor (the one from advisory). Click the Tiger to return home

The Prior Approval Form • Step 5: Turn it in • Turn in the following items to your advisor by the deadline • 1. Completed prior approval form • 2. Signed letter from supervisor • 3. Career Research information sheet Click the Tiger to return home

The Prior Approval Form • Step 6: Approval Committee • The approval committee will look over your plans for your project. • They will either approve it or ask you to reapply Click the Tiger to return home

The Prior Approval Form • Step 6: Approval Committee • If it is approved, they will give you the direction packet for completing your project • If not approved, there will be comments written for you to look over. You will then need to reapply. Click the Tiger to return home

The Prior Approval Form • Step 7: Keep it! • Keep the approved copy of the approval form, letter and research paper. • You will be turning this in again with your final project. Click the Tiger to return home

Job Shadow Ideas • How to begin • Identify a career you are interested in • Make a list of 2 or 3 locations where you think you could complete a job shadow • After you find a supervisor you should make a list of questions to ask as you complete your job shadow. • Your supervisor will be expecting you to be interested and ask questions- don’t let them down by being non-reactive and silent! Click the Tiger to return home

Job Shadow Ideas Click the Tiger to return home

Service Project Ideas • How to begin • Identify a need in the community • Contact an agency or organization that would assist you with your project • Example- If you wanted to collect socks for the homeless, you might want to work with a place like the food bank. • Develop an action plan (probably with the aid of the organization) to meet this need • Collect resources necessary to complete the project • Make a timeline and a schedule for completion Click the Tiger to return home

Service Project Ideas Click the Tiger to return home

Performance or Skill Ideas • How to begin • Identify a skill you have • Develop an action plan. How will you show off this skill? • Who is knowledgeable in this area and could be your supervisor • Collect resources necessary to complete the project • Make a timeline and a schedule for completion Click the Tiger to return home

Performance or Skill Ideas Once you decide what type of skill/performance you would like to do, contact a counselor in the counseling center. They can help you find a supervisor for your experience. Click the Tiger to return home

I’ve Been Approved! Now what?! Click the Tiger to return home

Pre-Project Steps • At this point you should have (1) submitted your prior approval form, (2) had it approved and returned back, and (3) received the last packet for the Senior Project. • Remember, You need to KEEP the approved form with all attached documents to be turned in with your final packet. Click the Tiger to return home

Pre-Project Steps Lost your final packet? No problem! Just click on the one you need below. Job Shadow Packet Service Project Packet Performance Based or Skill Related Project Packet Or go to www.ephrataschools.org, follow the links to the EHS page, then Senior Information. Click the Tiger to return home

Pre-Project Steps • Before you go out into the community to complete your project, you need to do a little prep work. • The prep depends on what type of project you choose to do. • We will follow the steps for the Job Shadow, but other projects will have similar steps. Click the Tiger to return home

Take a look at the Senior Project Packet No matter what project you are doing, each packet has very similar pieces. Pre-Project Steps Click the Tiger to return home

Pre-Project Steps Page 1: Cover page This form will be important after your project is complete. You will be turning it in with your final packet when you are done with the experience. But for now, turn to the next page Click the Tiger to return home

Page 2: Planning Your “Job Shadow” Begin by filling out the “information” section at the top of the page Pre-Project Steps Click the Tiger to return home

Page 2: “Planning Your Job Shadow” The “Before” Section These are things to do before you go on your project Make sure your project has been approved Review the appropriate dress list and question list Fill out and submit a parent permission slip if school will be missed Fill out and submit a pre-arranged absence request form if school will be missed Pre-Project Steps Click the Tiger to return home

Page 2: “Planning Your Job Shadow” The “After” Section These are things to do after/during your project Fill out the service log form Complete a student evaluation Give supervisor a supervisor evaluation Send a thank you card to your supervisor (if appropriate) Complete the reflection paper Pre-Project Steps Click the Tiger to return home

Pre-Project Steps Page 3: Questions List It is important that while you are completing your project, that you learn as much as you can about that career, regardless if you are doing a job shadow, service project or performance/skill. Click the Tiger to return home

Page 3: Questions List Try asking some/all of these questions while you are out in the community. Take notes and ask good follow up questions Pre-Project Steps Click the Tiger to return home

Pre-Project Steps Page 4: Remember that you are representing Ephrata High School when you are out in the community; therefore, you are expected to act and dress accordingly. Click the Tiger to return home

Page 4: Be one time! Showing up late tells your supervisor that you are not taking your project seriously It also wastes the supervisor’s time while they wait for you to show up Pre-Project Steps Click the Tiger to return home

Page 4: Professional Conduct Be professional! Be friendly, be confident Be respectful Watch your language- Avoid slang and most of all, cursing Pre-Project Steps Click the Tiger to return home

Page 4: Professional Dress Dress appropriately for the job you are doing A farmer may not need to wear a suit and tie. If shadowing a lawyer, do not show up in sweatpants after sports practice. And please, show as little skin as possible (think EHS dress code) Pre-Project Steps Click the Tiger to return home

The Senior Project