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Senior Project

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Introduction

This project is a comprehensive undertaking that includes: academic writing, research and presentation, and service learning.

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It is one of the graduation requirements of Academies at Roxborough, School District of Philadelphia, and PA Department of Education.

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Summary: The components of the Senior Capstone and Service Learning Project include:

  1. Career Research Paper and Abstract Critique
  2. Portfolio (i.e. personal essay/post secondary application essay, resume, cover letter, and other project artifacts)
  3. Service Learning Requirements
  4. Oral Presentation

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Getting Started:

Understanding the project:

Read all of the information being provided to you in the Senior Project Research Guide. Understanding these expectations and managing the deadlines is part of the process.

Get support from your guardian and teachers.

Sign the form at the end of the Senior Project Resource Guide acknowledging that you read & understand the assignment.

Choosing a Topic:

Select a topic that best suits your future endeavors.

Work with your mentor, English, and/or CTE teacher to select a topic that is best for you.

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Timeline

There are various components of the project, and therefore various deadlines will be given.

A Senior Capstone Project Timeline is given in the senior project resource guide to keep you on track. Additional pieces will have classroom assigned deadlines to also ensure you stay on track.

Senior Project closes March 31, 2024

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Career Research Paper:

  • The Career Research Paper and Abstract Critique is designed to help you explore your plans for your future, alongside prepare you for the essays you will write in college.

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Procedure

    • Complete each portion of the reference sheet. Take this information, in the order that you see it on this sheet, and turn it into a well written descriptive paper.
    • Use the Times New Roman font in size 12. You must use one-inch margins.
    • Attach a bibliography/works cited page written in APA format after your paper. You must have at least 3 sources. Tip: Use Citation Machine OR EasyBib.

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Abstract and Critique

  • The abstract critique assignment is intended to help you develop your ability to summarize the points of a given piece of reading, consider the merits and demerits of the material or evidence supporting the claims represented, and make connections to the information learned while researching your selected topic.

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Procedure

    • Select a scholarly article related to your topic.
    • Check the Abstract Critique Rubric to see descriptions of the level of quality that is expected for this assignment.
    • Review the sample abstract critique, and notice how the author meets the standards outlined in the rubric.
    • Write an abstract of 150-200 words and a critique of not less than 500 words. Your work must conform to APA format.

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Portfolio

  • This is simply a Google Folder with a final copy of your paper, your Google Slides, personal essay/post secondary application essay, resume, cover letter, and other project artifacts.
  • Individual components of the portfolio are due as assigned.

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Oral Presentation

At the end of your project, you will follow guidelines to present your project to a panel of evaluators.

Basic Public Speaking Tips

  • Know your material!
  • Do not read from your notes or PowerPoint
  • Make eye contact
  • Speak with confidence
  • Avoid fidgeting or any other nervous habits

(playing with hair, rocking back and forth, hands in pockets, etc.)

  • Practice, practice, practice!
  • Be prepared
  • Relax!

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Service Learning Project

  • A required ten (10) hours of approved service learning is required.
  • Service hours will be made available at The Academies at Roxborough High School. An Administrator/Academy Leader/Counselor must sign off and approve all hours completed on campus.

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Getting Started:

Step 1: Read & digest the information just shared with you.

Step 2:

Sign and Return:

  1. Senior Capstone Project Parent/Guardian & Student Agreement (10/6/2023)
  2. Academic Honor Statement (10/6/2023)
  3. Senior Capstone Project Topic Proposal Form (10/13/2023)
  4. Senior Capstone Project Mentor Sheet (10/20/2023)

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Looking Ahead:

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Resources

  • Senior Project Resource Guide: includes timeline, forms, resources, requirements and rubrics

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Below are a list of tools, resources, and rubrics to assist in completing your senior capstone project.

Abstract and Critique Resources

Library Resources and Research Guides

  • Plagiarism Checker by Grammarly. Grammarly’s plagiarism checker detects plagiarism in your text and checks for other writing issues.
  • Google Scholar. Google Scholar is a Web search engine that specifically searches scholarly literature and academic resources.
  • Scholarly Articles Database List of several scholarly articles databases to find research articles for your argumentative essay.
  • Library of Congress. Explore a vast collection of audio, video, and print resources.
  • Free Library of Philadelphia. Use this link to get access to F.L.P. online card catalog and databases.
    • Click HERE for how to access print and digital resources at Free Library of Philadelphia.
  • Power Library - Alphabetical Listing. PA Library Online Resources
  • Power Library - Listing b y Subject. PA Library Online Resources listed b y Subject

Oral Presentation Resources

  • See Oral Presentation Rubric for scoring guidelines that will be used to evaluate your presentation.

Portfolio Resources

  • See Portfolio Rubric for scoring guidelines that will be used to evaluate your portfolio.
  • Personal Essay Topics