 | A Senior Project is a two-week, unpaid internship designed to give you an opportunity to explore a career option, learn more about a work or volunteer setting that interests you or apply talents that you may not have used in your academic classes. During the project you will report to your "employer" rather than come to school.
The general purpose of the Senior Project is to provide you with another kind of learning experience. Almost all well-planned projects give you a feeling of confidence and satisfaction. On occasion a successful project has led to an invitation for paid employment during the summer.
I will be happy to help you with the selection process, but be sure to look through the hundreds of projects that have been documented as a first step in finding YOUR Senior Project.
Best of luck~
Bobbie Hardaker
Coordinator for Senior Projects
bobbie.hardaker@da.org
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| Q. | When are Senior Projects? | | A. | Monday, May 17 through Friday, May 28, 2010. Some students may be able to design an extended project that could begin the week of May 10 and continue through May 31. |
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| Q. | Who supervises my Senior Project?
| | A. | A. On-site supervisor: Each senior should identify and contact a professional who will serve as the on-site supervisor for the time period involved. This person should be willing to discuss your proposal with you, answer your questions about his/her profession or field and assist you in arranging your activities while on the off-campus site. The on- site supervisor will be asked to complete an evaluation of your participation and of the Senior Project itself. This evaluation form is included in this packet for your information, but a confirming letter and an evaluation form will be mailed to your on-site supervisor in early May.
B. Faculty sponsor: Your advisor or any willing faculty member serves as your faculty sponsor. He/she may be able to help you refine your ideas for a project and assist you in making contacts. Final approval of all projects must come from Mrs. Hardaker. During the weeks of the project your advisor will be in touch with you to see that all is going smoothly.
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| Q. | What have former students done for Senior Projects? | | A. | Former students selected placements in the following areas, just to name a few:
Communications - Durham Herald-Sun, WTVD, WRDU, WCHL, Carolina Cable, The Independent
Graphic Design, Architecture, SeeSaw Studio
Education - DA Pre, Lower and Middle School, Duke School for Children, special education classes, English as a Second Language
NC Legislature; NC Museum of Art; NC Museum of Natural History
Eno River Association, the NC Nature Conservancy
Law - Traffic Court, District Attorney's Office
Durham Volunteer Services Bureau, Durham Soup Kitchen
Animal Protection Society
Health Care - DUPAC, NC Memorial Hospital, Duke Medical Center, American Heart Association, Lenox Baker Children's Hospital
car maintenance, bike repair
Duke Gardens, landscaping
Small Businesses - Oxbow Music, NOW Audio
Click here for a comprehensive list of Senior Projects for the classes of 2006-09.
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| Q. | What is the timeline for planning and executing my project? | | A. | Wednesday, March 3 Proposal Due
Wednesday, March 31 Contract Due
The contract, including a detailed description of the project and your anticipated daily schedule, should
be filled out by you and signed by your parent(s) and your on-site supervisor.
Monday, May 17 – Friday, May 28 Senior Projects
Tuesday, June 1 Senior Picnic 1 p.m.
Senior Project Wrap-up 2- 4 p.m.
Kenan Auditorium
Please bring your written summary statement describing your experience and your YELLOW student evaluation form.
Wednesday, June 2 Blue Grass and BBQ
6 pm Moylan Field
8 pm Program celebrating the Class of 2010 in Kenan
Thursday, June 3 Graduation Rehearsal
3:30 - 5 p.m. Kenan Auditorium
Friday, June 4 Senior Commencement 10:00 a.m.
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| Q. | What if I have no idea what I want to do for my project? | | A. | To see the list of people and placements for the Classes of 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 click here. The details that explain the projects are in notebooks in the Library. In fact, Senior Project Notebooks from the past 20+ years are available in the Library. Please look through them to get ideas and names and telephone numbers of contacts.
Do a little research into the major you have declared on your college application. What kinds of jobs do people with that major end up in? Maybe you can use your project as an opportunity to look at one of those career options? USE the INTERNET to explore a field of interest.
Talk to your parents, other teachers or friends who have already done a Senior Project. |
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| Q. | When should I start planning my project? | | A. | It is never too early to start. Many businesses and employers will work with only one student during the project time period, so you are in competition with other students in your class as well as college and high school students from other schools.
You must have your proposal ready on March 3!
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| Q. | What exactly are the expectations/"rules" that apply?
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- All projects are intended to link you with some interest away from our campus but within our community. Staying within commuting distance is necessary to accomplish this purpose.
- On rare occasion a faculty committee has approved an out-of-area Senior Project. For out-of-area “rules” please see question below. Please contact Mrs. Hardaker if you wish to learn more about this option.
- Students are expected to devote a minimum of 6 hours a day for an equivalent of 10 school days to their projects (60 hours).
- You are NOT permitted to pursue something which you already do as a paid job nor will you be able to accept wages for what you do during your project.
- You are not permitted to work directly for your mother or father or any family member. If your parents are interested in working with a senior we would be eager to place another student with them. We also discourage you from seeking a placement with more distant relatives or close friends.
- Rules and procedures will vary from site to site, but all students are expected to abide by the guidelines set out by the on-site supervisor as deemed necessary. For example, if you are accompanying a physician on rounds at the hospital, it may be appropriate to dress in a manner completely different from the classmate who is interning at Bull City Bikes.
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| Q. | Exactly how do I set up a Senior Project?
| | A. | After you identify a potential contact, call them on the telephone. Do not be intimidated. Explain who you are and why you are calling. Tell them the general purpose of Senior Projects (a two-week, unpaid internship), the time frame and your specific interests. Ask if the person would be willing to work with you. Answer any question the potential employer has and offer to come by and talk in person. In some cases they will ask you to put your request in writing. If you get a positive or semi-positive response, be SURE to get the details of what your next step should be to ensure your placement. You may need to call a second time or you may need to schedule an interview.
After you have determined that you want them and they want you, fill out the Senior Project Proposal Form and submit to your ADVISOR for a signature. If you have any question as to whether the project will be approved, ask Mrs. Hardaker immediately! Generally speaking, if the project follows the "rules" and has an appropriate on-site supervisor, there is no reason to be concerned. Sometimes, however, when you are finalizing the details and completing the contract and calendar, you realize that the project is NOT what you expected. Here is what you do...
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| Q. | What if I call someone and after talking to him or her, I decide I don't want to work there?
| | A. | It is OK for you to explain politely that your plans for Senior Project have changed and express thanks for the time they spent talking with you. If you feel uncomfortable saying this directly, simply write a short note or email saying that your project focus has changed and thank them for their time. No details are necessary.
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| Q. | When I am working on my project, what should I do if there is a problem?
| | A. | Call Mrs. Hardaker (489-6569 ext. 6143). If you are unable to reach her call Mrs. Peterson (489-6569 ext. 6333 or Mr. Cochran 489-6569 ext 6306).
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| Q. | How do I find out what to wear, where to park, when I eat lunch, what my hours are? | | A. | Your proposal is due Wednesday, March 3. The more detailed calendar and contract is due Thursday, April 1. In mid-March you should make an appointment to visit your employer to verify ALL THE DETAILS! You need to do this even if you have already had an interview with someone in the workplace. Remember to take the contract and calendar (at right) with you as it needs the signature of the on-site supervisor. |
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| Q. | What if I am unable to complete my project before June 1?
| | A. | If, because of unforeseen circumstances, you do not finish your project, you WILL be allowed to participate in graduation exercises, but your transcripts will not be mailed to any college until you have completed the project.
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| Q. | What are the requirements for satisfactory completion of a Senior Project? | | A. | 1. Submit a written summary statement describing the experience (300 word minimum) or request permission to substitute a comparable summary photo essay, performance or video.
2. Complete and submit all the forms and evaluations that are referred to and are included in the pages of this manual.
3. Make an 8 - 10 minute presentation in the final wrap-up and evaluation session on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 5 (small seminar format with other seniors and representatives from the faculty).
4. Return the on-site supervisor's evaluation form (either by mail or hand-delivered to Mrs. Hardaker).
5. Provide a daily blog/diary entry to your advisor.
6. Follow ALL Senior Project guidelines.
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| Q. | Questions?? Need Help??
| | A. | Express your concerns to your advisor or schedule a time to meet with me (ext. 6143). However, before asking for help read through the Senior Project lists to get some ideas.
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| Q. | May I do an out-of-area project? | | A. | Criteria that apply for approval of an out of area Senior Project:
1. The proposal meets the standard guidelines for Senior Projects as listed in the Senior Project Handbook.
2. The project can not be done in the area and nothing that is similar can replace the proposal.
3. The proposal fits with the student’s history and has parental approval.
4. The student has shown an abiding passion for the project and demonstrated ownership of the proposal.
5. The project is substantive and of such appeal that an alternative would be a distant second in consideration
6. An on-site supervisor is available who is thoroughly trustworthy and understands the philosophy of the Senior Project program. This individual must be approved by the Senior Project coordinator and by the parents (in writing).
7. The on-site supervisor (an adult) is available on location to trouble-shoot for the student when things are not going as planned.
8. The school attorney advises the school favorably regarding liabilities.
9. The student’s advisor endorses the student’s ability to be responsible in a situation with no immediate school supervision.
10. The responsibility for completion of evaluation forms and a final presentation is understood, and, in the event that the person is not returning for closing activities at the completion of the senior project, a comparable alternative evaluation is substituted and approved by the Senior Project coordinator in consultation with a committee of the faculty.
11. It is expected that seniors attend graduation. However, this is not a criterion for project approval.
12. The applications for an out of area Senior Project will
a. be subject to a strict deadline for submission of materials (make your deadline 1-2 weeks ahead of the actual deadline to avoid this issue)
b. require the submission of a calendar of project activities during the Senior Project period
c. be subject to approval by a faculty committee |
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