+ Durham Academy

Senior Projects 2015

lorem ipsum dolor sit amet Quisque vel justo eget felis sollicitudin adipiscing. Ut enim lorem, lacinia eget, tristique quis, feugiat eget, turpis. In hac habitasse platea dictumst. Morbi non dui ac risus sollicitudin auctor.

2

Guidelines for Senior Projects 2015 What is a Senior Project? A Senior Project is a 1.5-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 a different learning experience. Many well-planned projects can give you a feeling of confidence and satisfaction. Some projects have led to invitations for paid employment during the summer.

When do Senior Projects take place? The dates are Monday, May 11 through Tuesday, May 19, 2015. Some students may be able to design an extended project that could begin before the May 11 date, and you may start your Senior Project once your signed contract is submitted. See Mr. Cochran if interested.

Who supervises my Senior Project? 1. On-site supervisor: Each senior should identify and contact a professional who will

serve as the on-site supervisor for the specified time period. This person should be willing to discuss your proposal with you, answer your questions about his/her vocation 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.

2. 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 Mr. Cochran. During the weeks of the project, your advisor will be in touch with you to see that all is going smoothly.

+

3

You can do it!

What have former students done? Former students selected placements in the following areas.

• Communications: Durham Herald-Sun, WTVD, WRDU, WCHL, Carolina Cable, The Independent

• Graphic Design, Architecture, Art Studios/Afterschool Programs • Education - DA Pre, Lower and Middle School, Duke School for

Children, special education classes, ESL classes • NC Legislature; NC Museum of Art; NC Museum of Natural History,

NC Symphony • Eno River Association, the NC Nature Conservancy • Law - Traffic Court, District Attorney's Office • Durham Volunteer Services Bureau, Durham Rescue Mission • Animal Protection Society • Health Care - DUPAC, NC Memorial Hospital, Duke Medical Center,

American Heart Association, Lenox Baker Children's Hospital

What if I have no idea what I want to do? Start by talking with your advisor or Mr. Cochran. Both are happy to help! The details that explain previous projects are in our archives. In fact, Senior Project notebooks from many past years are available if you need them. You may look through them to get ideas and names and telephone numbers of contacts.

Do a little research into a possible major you may have declared on your college application. What kinds of careers do people with that major pursue after graduation? Maybe you can use your project as an opportunity to look at one of those career options. Finally, use the Internet to explore a field of interest.

If all else fails, talk to your parents, teachers or with a friend who has already done a Senior Project.

When should I start planning my project? 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.

+

Your proposal is due February 20th

4

+

Think globally, act locally.

All projects are intended to link you with some interest away from our campus but within our community. Staying within commuting distance helps accomplish this purpose.

Expectations , Guidelines and Rules

Your calling may be elsewhere.

On rare occasions, out-of-area Senior Projects occur. The list of criteria that apply for approval for an out-of-area project can be found on page 8 of this booklet. You will need to contact Mr. Cochran if you wish to pursue this option.

Target your passion while serving your community.

For those students interested in investigating the CavCorps program (an intensive, service-learning themed Senior Project), you can work with Mrs. McNamara to develop your ideas. Talk with Mr. Cochran to get started.

For two weeks, this is your job!

Students are expected to devote a minimum of 4-5 hours a day to their projects for 7 school days for a minimum of 25 hours. The new graduation date in 2013 has shortened the time for Senior Projects.

You are working strictly as a volunteer, not a paid employee.

You are not permitted to pursue something that you already do as a paid job, nor will you be able to accept wages for what you do during your project.

Working for your parents is not allowed.

Except in rare circumstances, you are not permitted to work directly for your mother or father or any family member or close relative. If your parents would like to host a senior, we would be eager to place another student with them.

Understand your supervisor's expectations.

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. Remember to dress appropriately at all times.

5

Exactly how do I set up my Senior Project? 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 1.5-week, unpaid internship), the time frame and your specific interests. Ask if the person if they would be willing to work with you. Answer any questions 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 should always plan to follow up.

After you have determined what you will do, fill out the Senior Project Proposal Form (on page 9 of this booklet) and submit to your advisor for a signature by Friday, February 20. You may also submit your proposal electronically on the DA web site. If you have any questions as to whether your project will be approved, ask Mr. Cochran first. 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 may realize that the project is not what you expected. Here is what you do...

What if I call someone and after talking to him or her, I decide I don't want to work there? 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.

What about time conflicts during my project? Because of the dates for Senior Projects, each year students have conflicts with AP exams and state tournament weekends for athletics. Check your exam and sports schedules ahead of time. Be honest with your employer and typically you can work around conflicts.

When I am working on my project, what should I do if there is a problem? Call Mr. Cochran asap. At DA: 919.489.6569 ext. 6306 Mobile: 919.260.9395

6

How do I find out what to wear, what my hours are, where to park, when I can eat lunch, etc.? Your proposal is due Friday, February 20. The more detailed calendar and contract are due Thursday, March 26. In early 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 with you, as it needs the signature of the on-site supervisor.

What if I am unable to complete my project before May 19? 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.

Satisfactory completion of a Senior Project requires you to:

1. Complete and submit all the preliminary project forms and follow all Senior Project guidelines.

2. Provide a daily project blog/diary entry to your advisor. You can also request permission to substitute a documented summary photo essay, performance or video.

3. Complete a self-evaluation form. 4. Make a 5-10 minute presentation to your advisory in the final wrap-up and evaluation

session on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 20 (small seminar format.) 5. Return the on-site supervisor's evaluation form (either by mail or hand-delivered to Mr.

Cochran).

Questions? Need Help? Express your concerns to your advisor or schedule a time to meet with me (ext. 6306). However, before asking for help, read through the Senior Project lists to get some ideas.

Julian Cochran, Senior Projects Director

7

Important Dates, Senior Projects 2015 Friday, February 20 Proposals Due

Thursday, March 26 Contracts 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 11 – Tuesday, May 19 Senior Projects

Monday, May 18 – Friday, May 22 Graduation Week

Wednesday, May 20 Senior Project Wrap-Up 5:00 pm Meet in Advisory

Please bring your self-evaluation form describing and rating your experience. We will debrief and discuss our projects by advisory only.

5:45 pm Head to Kenan Auditorium for all-class wrap-up 6:30 pm Program celebrating the Class of 2015

Kenan Auditorium (parents included)

After program ends Dinner, Upper School Quad (rain or shine)

Thursday, May 21 2:00 pm Graduation Rehearsal, Memorial Hall, UNC-CH

Pick up your cap and gown. Picnic before rehearsal. Friday, May 24

5:00 pm Senior Commencement Memorial Hall UNC-CH

8

Criteria that apply for approval of an out-of-area Senior Project:

1. The school attorney advises the school favorably regarding liabilities.

2. Parents/guardians must sign a release and indemnity form since the school will not have much, if any, direct supervision of an out-of-area project.

3. The proposal meets the standard guidelines for Senior Projects as listed in the Senior Project Handbook.

4. The project cannot be replicated locally and nothing that is similar can replace the proposal.

5. The proposal has parental approval.

6. The student has shown an abiding passion for the project and demonstrated ownership of the proposal.

7. The project is substantive and of such appeal that an alternative would be a distant second in consideration

8. 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).

9. The on-site supervisor (an adult) is available on location to trouble-shoot for the student when things are not going as planned.

10. The student’s advisor endorses the student’s ability to be responsible in a situation with no immediate school supervision.

11. 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 the Upper School Director.

12. It is expected that seniors attend graduation and Senior Projects should be completed prior to the ceremony.

13. The applications for an out-of-area Senior Project will be subject to: a. 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 the Senior Projects Director and the Upper School Director.

9

PROPOSAL DUE Friday, February 20

Proposal for Senior Project 2015 Your Name: ____________________________________________________________________ first last Telephone: ___________________________ (home) ___________________________ (cell) Email: ____________________________________________________________________

I. TITLE: Your title should be a good definition of your work. II. BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE: Why do you want to do this project? How has your interest in this area developed? Why do you think this project is worthwhile? III. SUPERVISOR(S): This form is a proposal. Once your project is approved you will need to

have an on-site-supervisor who will assist you with the final plans and contract. Who do you think this person(s) will be?

Name of Organization: ________________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________ Street ________________________________________________________ City State Zip Name of On-Site-Supervisor(s) __________________________________________________ Position/title ________________________________________________________ Supervisor's Telephone(s): __________________________________________________ Supervisor's Email: ________________________________________________________

10

IV. Projected Results of Project…. List several outcomes you wish to complete over the course of project: 1.

2.

3.

List any potential obstacles/concerns/worries with the project with which you would require assistance from the Senior Projects Director: SIGNATURES: Student: ______________________________________________ Date __________________ Parent(s): ______________________________________________ Date __________________ Advisor/Faculty Sponsor: __________________________________ Date __________________

11

CONTRACT DUE Thursday, March 26

Durham Academy Senior Project 2015 CONTRACT (All blank spaces on this sheet must be complete and legible. Thanks.)

Student's Name: ________________________________________________________________ (PLEASE PRINT) Telephone: ________________________ (home) _______________________ (cell) E-mail: ________________________________________________________________ Name of Organization: __________________________________________________________ Mailing Address: ________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________ City State Zip

Organization Telephone: ____________________ E-mail: ______________________ Name of On-Site-Supervisor(s): ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Supervisor(s) position/title: ____________________________________________________ Brief description of your project: Anticipated Schedule: Student's signature: ________________________________________________________ On-Site Supervisor's signature: __________________________________________________ Your respective signatures indicate that the work schedule has been discussed and

agreed upon. It is understood that each student is expected to work a minimum of 25 hours total during the Senior Project. Special situations may necessitate scheduling longer days or work on the weekend.

Please return this contract to Mr. Cochran on or before Thursday, March 26.