Skip To Main Content
advertisement

Frequently Asked Questions

Graduation Project Policy Review & Frequently Asked Questions

Which pathway should I choose?

Consider the purpose of your project to determine which pathway to choose.

 

For example:

  •  If you want to shadow a geneticist and participate in lab-based research on autism, then your project would fit best in the Health, Medical, and Human Services Pathway.

 

  • If you want to someday become a geneticist to research autism and decide to hold a fundraiser for a local charity benefitting autism research, then your pathway would be still be Health, Medical, and Human Services as autism resources and support are part of Human Services.

 

  • If you want to pursue a career in marketing and advertising and decide to hold a fundraiser for a local charity benefitting autism research, your pathway would be Business, Management, and Information Technology. Your project should focus on the event planning and advertising, which are skills within the Business, Management, and Information Technology pathway.

 

 

Another example:

  • If your goal is to learn piano, then the appropriate pathway is Self-Development, because you are bettering yourself by learning this skill and not pursuing it for professional knowledge/use.

 

  • If you have previously trained in piano and want to challenge yourself by performing a piano concerto with a local symphony, then your pathway would be Arts, Communication, and Media.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whom should I ask to be my mentor?

Select someone who meets the following qualifications:

 

  • Has specific knowledge or experience relating to your project
  • Age 21 or older
  • Non-relative
  • Easy to access/meet with frequently.

(You will meet with the mentor at least 3 times after the initial meeting.)

  • Note: Some projects may necessitate more than one mentor. Each mentor must complete a “Mentor Commitment Form” and “Project Verification Form”.

 

 

 

What is verification?

Verification is the proof that you did a project. It shows the Board that your project was completed and demonstrates the quality of your project.

 

  • Each graduation project will have verification specific to that project.
  • Verification may be in the form of emails, letters, notes, receipts, phone logs, pictures, videos or other media, but it may also be in the form of a physical object, performance, or product.
  • The Graduation Project is always a process, and you should document each stage of the process with items that fit your particular project.
  • When in doubt, always provide more documentation than you believe is necessary.

 

 

Can I work on my project in specialized areas of the school building to work on my project?

Yes, as long as . . .

 

  • Students completing graduation projects that require the use of specialized equipment (such as science lab/lab materials, editing software, or woodworking tools) may work during after-school hours with the permission and constant supervision of a faculty member.

 

  • The “Limited Facilities/Equipment Use Form” must be completed and submitted with the project proposal for classroom teacher approval.

 

  • Projects will be denied approval until the form is properly completed and submitted to the classroom teacher.

 

 

Can my project take place at a school building or facility if my project is part of a school sponsored activity?

Yes, as long as . . .

 

  • Students working on an event sponsored by the school or school affiliated organization must have a copy of the approved “Limited Facilities/Equipment Use Form” submitted by the school employee or organization in order to obtain the approval of their project.  
  • The “Limited Facilities/Equipment Use Form” must be completed and submitted with the project proposal for classroom teacher approval of the project.

 

  • Projects will be denied approval until the form is properly completed and submitted to the classroom teacher.

 

 

 

 

Can I advertise my Graduation Project in the school, or in other SV buildings?

All advertisements must be approved by the building administration before posting.

 

  • When creating fliers and posters for promoting your project, be sure to include the important details: when and where it will take place, who people should contact if they are interested in attending and a means by which to contact you, and what (if any) programs your project benefits.

 

  • Submit your advertising materials to the building administration of the facility in which you want to advertise. Each building may have different processes or requirements for advertisement approval.

 

 

Can I put out collection boxes or send out mailers at SV schools?

All collection boxes and/or fliers must be approved by the building administration before placement within any school building.

 

 

Can I work with other students to complete a project?

Independent project work is recommended. However, some exceptions may occur.

 

  • For example, multiple students have worked on large-scale events in the past provided that their particular portion or responsibility towards the event was worthy of twenty or more hours, and existed independently of the portions other students undertook.

 

  • Students should proceed with caution when choosing a project that depends upon the work of others. 

 

  • If you have questions as to whether your project might fall into this exception, please see the Graduation Project coordinators.

 

 

Can I earn money from my Graduation Project?

No.

 

  • Money earned through a Graduation Project cannot be kept for personal gain.

 

  • If a project has earning potential (ex: a business plan), students should consult with GP teacher as to how/when to appropriately conclude the project before profits are made.

 

  • Money can be donated to a cause selected at the proposal phase by the student. See fundraising policy for details.

 

 

 

Can I do a fundraiser for my project?

Yes!

 

  • Please see the fundraising policy before selecting the charity or organization you wish to benefit.

 

 

Can I use my job to complete my project?

No. A well-designed Graduation Project should push students outside of their comfort zones. The job a student already has does not present a challenge. Also, see question above about making money from a GP.

 

 

Can I volunteer as my Graduation Project?

Yes! There are many organizations in the SV community that could use extra hands to help in their work. Contact the organization you wish to work with before completing the project proposal.

 

 

Can I miss school to work on my project?

No.

 

  • Graduation Projects are to be completed outside of school hours.

 

  • Students are not permitted to miss school, come to school late, or leave early to complete project hours.