The Graduation Project affords students an opportunity to explore topics and areas of interest that may not have been available to them in a traditional classroom setting.  The purpose of the graduation project is to assure that the student is able to apply, analyze, synthesize and evaluate information and communicate significant knowledge and understanding.

It is the responsibility of each student to fulfill all requirements. The high school faculty will provide guidance and direction in the fulfillment of these responsibilities, if needed. Outside community resource persons may also guide and direct students.

Throughout the course of the project, students will demonstrate organizational, written, and public speaking skills as they present their work through a physical product, display or performance.

In order to graduate, each student shall complete career exploration activities using the Choices Program (during ninth and tenth grades) and then select and complete one of the types of projects listed below (eleventh grade).

 

Types of Projects

 

Students are to select one of the following three types of projects: 

Career Research, Community Service or Academic Extension--Creative/Cultural.

 

CAREER RESEARCH

1.      Shadow

·         Student must shadow a minimum of 15 hours.
·         Student must complete shadowing in blocks of one or more hours.

o  Student may not complete shadowing during school hours.

·         Student must shadow one or more professionals and complete the following:

o  Student Shadowing Record for each visit
o  Personal Reaction Notes for each visit

·         Student must obtain a signature from the shadowed professional for each visit.

2.     Interview

·         Student must conduct a minimum of 2 interviews.
·         Student must complete a Shadowing Interview Sheet for each person shadowed. 

(Note:  If a student shadows only one person, then the student must interview another employee of that business.)

3.     Written Component

4.     Oral Presentation (with a visual aid)

 

 COMMUNITY SERVICE

1.     Volunteer

·         Student must volunteer a minimum of 20 hours.

o  Excludes class assignments
o  Excludes personal employment

·         Student must perform the community service with an organization operating as a service to the community.

·         Student must complete the following:

o     Volunteer Hours Log with a supervisor’s signature verifying the number of hours accumulated for each visit
o    Personal Reaction Notes for each visit

·         Student completing community service hours while on court-ordered probation may not use those hours for his or her graduation project.  If a student wishes to keep volunteering at a community service location where he or she completed court-ordered probation hours, the student must provide proof that the court-ordered hours and the project-required hours do not overlap. 

2.     Written Component

3.     Oral Presentation (with a visual aid)

 

ACADEMIC EXTENSION - CREATIVE/CULTURAL PROJECT

1.     Project (See your advisor for approval)

·         Student’s ability or talent must be demonstrated by developing an original, complex product on a topic with personal significance.

·         Student must spend a minimum of 15 hours working on the project.

·         Student must have a mentor who has considerable experience in the focus area.

·         Student must complete the Creative/Cultural Project Log.

o  Student must record time spent on the project every time he/she works on the project.
o  Student must include materials/resources used.

·         Student must complete the Personal Reaction Journal.

2.     Written Component

3.     Oral Presentation (with a visual aid)

 

CAREER RESEARCH

·         Shadow/interview a professional in your career area of interest which could include the following:  member of your family; family friend; neighbor; or relative.
·         Search online or in the phone book (Yellow Pages) for someone to contact.
·         View the Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce Directory to find a local business or organization willing to provide a shadowing opportunity.
·         See Mrs. Dennis, School-to-Career Coordinator, for possible opportunities.

 

COMMUNITY SERVICE

·         Fundraising for a non-profit organization/cause
·         Volunteer suggestions:
Soup Kitchen / Sport Camp / Homeless Shelter / Codorus State Park / Elderly Home / Hospital / Library  Animal Shelter / Church / Blood Mobile / West Manheim Recreation Association / God’s Meal Barrel / YMCA Boys’ or Girls’ Clubs / Red Cross / United Cerebral Palsy / Boy or Girl Scouts / Habitat for Humanity / ROTC Community Service Projects

·         Organize a neighborhood clean-up program.
·         Campaign for a local, state or national candidate.

 

ACADEMIC EXTENSION - CREATIVE PROJECT                       

(Note:   The project must involve research and/or an extension of ability and recognized talent.)

·         Produce a film or documentary on a novel.    Analyze its value as a piece of literature.
·         Play a significant role in a community production.
·         Create a learning center for elementary or pre-school children.

 

ACADEMIC EXTENSION - CULTURAL PROJECT

(Note:   The project must involve research and/or an extension of ability and recognized talent.)

·         Personal genealogy – must include in-depth historical research and a family tree, not just a family album.  This is different from a research paper, as it may include personal anecdotal references.
·         Investigate the origin of a community or cultural event.
·         Investigate an icon, symbol, or some event/tradition/custom unique within a culture and explain its significance.  This icon may include music, cuisine, art, fashion, currency, religion, or myths.