overview
The Senior Project is open to all students as an elective credit course. However, it is also a Board of Education requirement for students planning to graduate with honors and receive a Board of Education (BOE) special recognition diploma. A Senior Project includes four essential components that revolve around a single topic chosen by the student.
The Four Senior Project Components
1. An argumentative or problem-based position paper,
2. A culminating activity resulting from completion of 20+ project hours,
3. Development of a learning portfolio
4. An oral presentation in front of a panel of community members and/or Leeward District teachers and staff.
The Four Senior Project Components
1. An argumentative or problem-based position paper,
2. A culminating activity resulting from completion of 20+ project hours,
3. Development of a learning portfolio
4. An oral presentation in front of a panel of community members and/or Leeward District teachers and staff.
Senior Project Purpose
The intent of the Senior Project is for students to strive to earn a diploma that has a more rigorous curriculum. Consequently, students who desire to complete a Senior Project as a Self-Directed Learner (GLO #1), must demonstrate proficiency in all of the four essential components of the Senior Project (Paper, Culminating Activity, Portfolio, and Presentation) to receive credit for Senior Project completion.
BOE Recognition Diploma Requirements
The following are the minimum requirements to qualify for the BOE Recognition Diploma:
-- Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0+
-- 4 English credits
-- 4 Social Studies credits
-- 4 Math credits (w/ no courses below Algebra 1 and must pass Algebra 2 End of Course exam)
-- 3 Science credits (at least 2 credits must be in Biology, Chemistry, and/or Physics)
-- 1 Senior Project credit
-- Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0+
-- 4 English credits
-- 4 Social Studies credits
-- 4 Math credits (w/ no courses below Algebra 1 and must pass Algebra 2 End of Course exam)
-- 3 Science credits (at least 2 credits must be in Biology, Chemistry, and/or Physics)
-- 1 Senior Project credit
Project Choices
Service Learning Project
The student completes a service-learning project that makes a concrete and visible impact in the school or community.
• The service-learning project must be related to the research paper's thesis or essential question. The
research thesis will be developed from possible solutions and the student will have to act on this thesis. For
example: A problem in a government course might be to persuade the Legislature to pass a student's
recommended legislation, or a problem in a science course might be to use scientific research to study and
potentially impact or change a recognized problem within a community.
• Problem-based learning begins with a problem or issue. Using research, the student will come up with
some solutions.
• Examples are to organize an event, demonstration, charity event, voting and/or clothing drive. This must not
be related to any pre-existing or organized club/school activity.
Student Personal Interest-Project / Product and Action
The project/product and action associated with the student's personal interest must be related to the essential question and project thesis. There are two types of personal interest projects:
Performance-based: Demonstrate an authentic skill, talent, and/or ability that has an impact on the
community. Only performances within the Senior Project year will be credited, no past related activities will be
accepted.
Examples:
• Assist in teaching a course or class (i.e., at an elementary school, or after-school program)
• Coach or assist in coaching youth sports
• Produce or assist in the production of a play or music concert
Problem-based (inquiry-based): Student begins with a problem or issue and will come up with possible
solutions. The research-driven thesis will be developed from the possible solutions and the student will have
to act on this thesis.
Example:
• Conduct a problem-based research project
Career Focus: Job Shadowing / Internship
The student works with a community mentor one on one, in a specific area related to the student's desired goals and interest.
• Internship must be related to the overall project (clearly related to research papers' thesis)
• Internship must include hands-on activities where the student actually takes part in tasks related to the
career (not just observations).
• It must be personally relevant and genuinely connected to a specific career
Examples:
• The student could volunteer at a medical facility to work with a doctor, nurse, or other medical practitioner and
help perform various duties related to the field, like preparing the examination room for patients, performing
office duties, and the like.
• Giving a presentation, or conducting a survey, on a specific demographic of people, and reporting on the
effects of your study and effort.
The student completes a service-learning project that makes a concrete and visible impact in the school or community.
• The service-learning project must be related to the research paper's thesis or essential question. The
research thesis will be developed from possible solutions and the student will have to act on this thesis. For
example: A problem in a government course might be to persuade the Legislature to pass a student's
recommended legislation, or a problem in a science course might be to use scientific research to study and
potentially impact or change a recognized problem within a community.
• Problem-based learning begins with a problem or issue. Using research, the student will come up with
some solutions.
• Examples are to organize an event, demonstration, charity event, voting and/or clothing drive. This must not
be related to any pre-existing or organized club/school activity.
Student Personal Interest-Project / Product and Action
The project/product and action associated with the student's personal interest must be related to the essential question and project thesis. There are two types of personal interest projects:
Performance-based: Demonstrate an authentic skill, talent, and/or ability that has an impact on the
community. Only performances within the Senior Project year will be credited, no past related activities will be
accepted.
Examples:
• Assist in teaching a course or class (i.e., at an elementary school, or after-school program)
• Coach or assist in coaching youth sports
• Produce or assist in the production of a play or music concert
Problem-based (inquiry-based): Student begins with a problem or issue and will come up with possible
solutions. The research-driven thesis will be developed from the possible solutions and the student will have
to act on this thesis.
Example:
• Conduct a problem-based research project
Career Focus: Job Shadowing / Internship
The student works with a community mentor one on one, in a specific area related to the student's desired goals and interest.
• Internship must be related to the overall project (clearly related to research papers' thesis)
• Internship must include hands-on activities where the student actually takes part in tasks related to the
career (not just observations).
• It must be personally relevant and genuinely connected to a specific career
Examples:
• The student could volunteer at a medical facility to work with a doctor, nurse, or other medical practitioner and
help perform various duties related to the field, like preparing the examination room for patients, performing
office duties, and the like.
• Giving a presentation, or conducting a survey, on a specific demographic of people, and reporting on the
effects of your study and effort.