Class of 2015 Senior Project

1. Class of 2015Senior Project Link to Senior Project Website: http://bshs.usd204.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=70381&pageId=1322706

2. What you need to know to get started… • Choose a topic which really interests you: A. Community Service B. Vocational or Career Exploration 2. Fill out Form 1 and get mentor to sign the back of Form 1. Get topic approved by your Approval Team BEFORE YOU BEGIN please!!

3. Mentor—Find Early! 1. Mentor information is filled out completely on Form 1 and give him the “Mentor Specification Form.” • Find someone with training or expertise in the area. • CANNOT be a relative. • Must be over the age of 21. • If willing, a staff member of BSHS can be a mentor, but each staff member can only mentor 1 senior. • MUST get a SIGNATURE on Form 1 BEFORE you begin! • NEW 2015: Must be willing to take pictures/videos of you completing your project.

4. The Product—Due February 26, 2015! • Must spend 15+ plus hours on project (25+ hours must be logged to qualify for Honors). • Must be done outside of school hours only. 3. CANNOT log time for working on forms or research project or travel time. 4. You may count phone and e-mail time.

5. The Forms—Forms Box! 1. Forms are always turned into the Forms Box outside Mrs. Baker’s Room 224. 2. Make copies and give Mrs. Baker the copies!! Keep originals for your portfolio. 3. Always thoroughly complete & TYPE FORMS—bold answers, please!! • Lose points on product score when forms are late. • All forms can be downloaded from the senior project website.

6. The Research Project—First Semester: Due December 16, 2014! 1. Must relate to your product. 2. Completed with your English teacher. 3. Guidelines given by your English teacher.

7. The Portfolio—Work on ALL year: Due May 2, 2015! 1. Displays your senior project “journey.” 2. Includes forms, evaluations,research project, and extras. 3. Set aside a binder for collection of all important items and documents.

8. The Boards Presentation—May 8, 2015! 1. Start planning early. 2. Must speak 6-10 minutes. 3. Create a portfolio with all forms, research project & extras that help “explain your journey” through your senior project. 4. Must use a visual aide—something besides your product! Should use technology to enhance presentation: PP, Prezi, IMovie, etc. 5. Committee consists of three staff members and two/three community members.

9. So… What can you do for a senior project?

10. Organize a fundraiser or charity event such as… • Relay for Life • Walk for Autism • A Book Drive for a school or library • A Food Drive for Vaughn Trent or Harvesters (Outside of School) • Invisible Children Charity • American Red Cross • March of Dimes • Any charity you want to help

11. Start a new program… • Mentoring Programs at BSE, DRE, EDW or CMS—(outside of school) • Chess Club or a similar hobby-type of club at DRE, EDW or CMS • Environmental Club in the community • Any club that you think would be helpful or beneficial to others

12. Promote the arts in the community… • Design a themed art show • Design a mural for a local business • Conduct a theatre workshop • Direct a musical or play for children • Stage free performances for the community • Organize a multi-cultural fair

13. Promote character through leadership… • Help/Coach with a kids club/team • Help with Special Olympics • Hold an athletic event for kids with special needs • Develop adult ESL classes • Coordinate computer training at retirement centers • Attend a leadership conference • Enroll in a summer class at a community college or university

14. Give back to the community throughworking with animal organizations… • Ani-pals Pet Resort • KCK Humane Society • Prison Dog Program • Ernie Miller Nature Center • Deanna Rose Farm • Bonner Springs Animal Rescue • SPCA Animal Shelter • Any other animal activist organization

15. Give back to the community or explore a medical career by… • Volunteering at Nursing Homes, Hospitals, Crossroads Hospice, Assisted Living Centers • Attending a medial conference • Shadowing a professional in a medical career. • Taking a college course in the medical field.

16. Give back to the community by volunteering with children… • Get involved with autistic or other special needs children organizations • Help at McDanield Learning Center • Provide after school tutoring or summer school tutoring (in an approved environment) • Donate and create gifts for children at Children’s Mercy Hospital • Tutor ESL students at elementary schools

17. Give back to the community in other ways… • Bonner Springs Library • Bonner Springs/Edwardsville Education Foundation • Vaughn—Trent • Bonner Springs Public Housing • City of Bonner Springs • City of Edwardsville

18. Other Possibilities… • Shadow a professional in a field of interest for you • Adopt a “grand-friend” • Design, propose and complete a public landscaping project • Create “New Kid Survival Kits” for elementary students or “I Care Kits” for the homeless • Make gift baskets for senior citizens If you are preparing for your future or serving the community the possibilities are endless…

19. Recommendations from the Class of 2013: • “Do your project over the summer!” • “Keep everything and write down everything! Sort later! Remember YOU NEED PROOF that you actually did yor project!” • “Challenge yourself and do something you are PASSIONATE about!!” • “Do something you actually WANT to do! You’ll have more fun it reflects your interests and try to do something that will help you in your future because it allows you to see in action the career you have in mind for yourself.” • Do NOT pick a project, just to get it done! It creates more problems in the end! • “Make sure you set aside a specific time to do your project.” • “Find a reliable and helpful mentor and stay in contact with him/her all year long!” • “Take plenty of pictures/videos and make sure YOU’RE IN SOME OF THEM!”

20. Bottom Line… Get approval… Stay committed… Get started NOW!!!