senior projects

[Barb B]

I know there are threads on this but if your dd/ds has/is doing a senior project can you share what it is? I am interested in ds doing one next year (starting in August - yes I know its only January!). He is interested in majoring in engineering so it will most likely go that way - some real hands on project. What did/do you require? I am thinking: research with a report, data (or some journal along the way if he is building something) as well as having him present the final thing somewhere. Also, I imagine that you put this on the transcript - where do you describe it (resume, or on the my class description page or maybe a separate place like a cd-for the computer?).

Thanks for sharing any experiences!
Barb

[TechWife]

I recommend that you explore FIRST programs. At his age, he can join an existing FRC team or FTC team. Not only is it great engineering experience, but it will have most of the components that you are looking for built in to it. Another advantage is that there are many universities that offer scholarships to FIRST participants.

If he is 18, he can coach an FLL team - either existing or starting a new one. If he is under 18, he can mentor an FLL team. With these roles, there is a lot of work and time involved. You would have to decide how you want him to document his work as well. Additionally, these hours would count as volunteer hours.

Check out this site for more information:
http://usfirst.org/default.aspx

[Kareni]

Here's an older thread that you might find informative:

For those of you requiring "Projects" for high school completion, what are you doing? (http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50718&highlight=project)

and another: projects?? What are your boys doing? (http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=105761)

I've tagged this thread and the older ones with the tag "senior project."

Regards,
Kareni

[Jane in NC]

Here's an older thread that you might find informative:

For those of you requiring "Projects" for high school completion, what are you doing? (http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50718&highlight=project)

and another: projects?? What are your boys doing? (http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=105761)

I've tagged this thread and the older ones with the tag "senior project."

Regards,
Kareni

Thanks for resurrecting these threads, Kareni. I did not have time yesterday to find them and I did not want to repeat my previous posts. So now I'll just provide an update.

As I mentioned in one of the threads, my son volunteered with a college archaeological field school held at a nearby historic site last May and June, clocking over 100 hours. He and the field director developed a great relationship--in fact, the field director is now supervising my son's senior project, research related to the dig.

To answer some of the initial questions: I have indicated the senior project on the transcript and am assigning a half credit for it. (I did not assign credit for the field school work--as far as I am concerned, that is community service.) In the course descriptions, I noted the topic and the credentials of the project supervisor.

Happy New Year!
Jane

[Barb B]

Wow, how interesting to read the older threads - how diverse the projects are. We are not really creative here, ds will do a science senior project - with research (and typed written report), data . . . very formal science like. Thankfully a wonderful science teacher (of homeschoolers!) in our area will be a mentor for this!

Barb