Mount Si High School

Snoqualmie Valley School District 2013-14

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Guidelines

All seniors receiving a diploma from Mount Si High School must successfully meet the requirements of the Culminating Project.

The student must complete all four parts (Career Research/ Portfolio/ Reflective Essay/ Presentation) of the project in order to fulfill the graduation requirement.

The student must demonstrate that completing the project was a “learning stretch” for them.

The proposal must be approved and signed by the parent/guardian.

No projects that involve water or air activities are allowed according to Snoqualmie Valley School District Risk Management policy.

All Running Start, WaNIC and SVVA students will be required to complete the Culminating Project as outlined above with the exception of the project being completed within the classroom. Each Running Start/WaNIC/SVVA student will be individually responsible for the project and must arrange with the high school Principal and the coordinator for approval of the project and the presentation.

Exceptions & Exemptions Transfer Students Students who have transferred into the Snoqualmie Valley School District late in their senior year will be evaluated by the high school Principal and the coordinator as to the extent of the completion of the Culminating Project. Students transferring from another school district within the State of Washington that have a Culminating Project started can integrate their project into the Snoqualmie Valley School District project requirements. Students who transfer from out-of-state during their senior year will be evaluated on an individual basis by the high school principal and the coordinator.

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Timeline Assignments Due Date Class

1. Career Research Ongoing CWP

2. Informational Interview Completed Teacher Sign off ______ CWP

3. Project Proposal Teacher Approval ______ CWP and Parent Approval ______ CWP

4. Reflective Essay Draft ______ LA 12

5. Reflective Essay Final ______ LA 12

6. Presentation Outline Worksheet ______ CWP

7. Culminating Project Final Presentation ______ Assigned

Personal Action Plan Worksheet

1. What careers do you plan to research?

2. Why have you chosen these particular careers?

3. What skill, knowledge, experience, and personal qualities do you have that will help you complete this project?

4. What do you expect to learn from this project?

5. Exactly what steps will you need to take to complete this project? This portion of your proposal, in which you explain the steps needed to complete your project, is the most important part of your proposal.

6. Are there expenses that need to be considered for the project?

7. Consider what problems you might encounter in this project and what alternatives would be appropriate to solve them.

8. What might you use as a visual aide to support your presentation (beyond PowerPoint) that gives the audience an appreciation of what the job looks like, feels like, where you would work, what you would work with, who you would work with. This may include pictures, video, presentation board, physical objects of job (clothing, tools models etc.)

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Mount Si High School Culminating Project

Parent/Guardian Consent As the parent/Guardian of _____________________________ I/We understand that the Culminating Project is a graduation requirement established by the Snoqualmie Valley School District. The Culminating Project has four components: the career research project & informational interview, the portfolio, the reflective essay, and the final presentation. Students must meet minimum standards on each of the components to be successful in meeting the graduation requirement. Those standards will be explained in LA 12 and their Current World Problems (CWP) classes as part of their normal curriculum and grading requirements. I/We understand that our student’s failure to meet standard on any of the components or failure to meet any project deadlines may jeopardize his/her graduation and their LA 12, Current World Problems (CWP) grades and Credit. Further questions about the Culminating Project process may be directed to the Mount Si High School Counseling Center.

I/We understand that for his/her project, my student plans to explore the following career:

____________ _______

The District will provide no supervision to the student while he/she is working on this project when off school grounds. I/We understand that the District prohibits a student from undertaking any activity which may place the student at unnecessary risk of harm or injury. I/We understand that the District expects the parent/guardian to make the initial determination as to whether a Culminating Project places a student at an unnecessary risk of harm or injury. I/We understand that if either I/we or the District concludes the proposed Culminating Project places the student at an unnecessary risk of harm or injury, the District will not approve the activity as the student’s Culminating Project. I/We understand that while the District will periodically check to ensure the student is completing the project in a timely fashion, it is the responsibility of the parent(s)/guardian(s) to ensure that the son/daughter is 1) provided with a safe environment, and 2) following all necessary safety procedures. I/We understand and accept the conditions and expectations of the project phase of the Culminating Project, and I/we approve of our student’s project as stated above. (Continued on following page)

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(Culminating Project Parent/Guardian Consent continued) I/We agree, to the extent the law allows, to indemnify and hold the District, its agents, officers, employees, and volunteers harmless from and defend and indemnify the same against any and all claims, losses, and damages from every cause, including, but not limited to, injury to person or property, and related costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, arising directly or indirectly out of any act, or omission to act, in the performance of the terms of this contract.

My signature below indicates that I am aware of my son/daughter’s decisions, as stated above and approve of them.

Signature Relationship to Student Date

Signature Relationship to Student Date

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Project Proposal Name: _______________________________________________________ Career that you will research: ________________________ Student has required forms turned in:

Parent/Guardian Consent Form Proposal Action Plan

Final approval (CWP signature required) Proposal approved. Student may proceed. Proposal not yet approved. See comments for modifications. _________________________________________________________________ CWP Teacher Date

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The Four Components Career Research The student will research a career through a variety of sources and summarize his/her findings in a presentation. The career research project will include, but not be limited to information regarding education, professional responsibilities, ethical issues, salary, employment outlook and opportunities. Will the career area explored be a viable option to support the lifestyle the student wants and where he/she wants to live in the future? Students will complete an informational interview as part of their project and teachers will verify interview. Students will not be assigned a time to present without this completed. Step One: Choose a career or post-high school employment

Develop a proposal for choosing a career or post-high school employment and for acquiring a thorough understanding of what is required for success in this career or employment.

Step Two: Using a variety of sources conduct research into the following:

Required education, skill development, training and/or apprenticeship.

Professional responsibilities: dress, memberships, work hours, travel, confidentiality, behavior.

Salary: entry-level, increases, potential, opportunities, continued education

Benefits: vacation, health care, retirement investments, days off, bereavement days.

Employment: openings, future outlook, opportunities for advancement, possibility of outsourcing, location.

Tools of the Trade: What tools, technology, gadgets, are required in the day to day activities of someone in this career?

Portfolio The portfolio requires the student to apply information he/she has gained through conversations with the career counselor, guidance counselors, teachers, parents and family members that prepares them for their post high school experiences. Required elements include:

Transcript

Resume

Graduation Requirement Work Sheet

High School and Beyond Plan The portfolio could also contain a compilation of materials and resources that documents your journey through this culminating project from beginning to end. It could include the following:

Proposal

Project Timelines

Career Action Plan

Parent/Guardian Consent

Reflective Essay

College applications

Scholarships

Letters of recommendation

Awards

Community service documentation

Reflective Essay The essay will demonstrate your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and help you distinguish yourself in your own voice. Listed below are the 2013-14 Common Application essay prompts. Choose one prompt from the following to write about:

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See grading criteria sheet for further evaluation details. Presentation This will be multi-media 8 to 10 minutes in length presentation. The student will present his/her research to a class at Mount Si High School during the day. The presentation will need to include a visual and the student’s portfolio should be available to view and discuss. The presentation will be followed by a 3 to 5 minute question/answer period. Students must be prepared to answer questions about their career. Take some time to consider those who deliver great presentations. Was this person enthusiastic? Did he/she have mastery of his/her material and make eye contact? Did his/her vocal tone rise and fall to reflect the content of his/her presentations? Tips to assist you in delivering a great presentation:

Plan and practice your presentation so that you know the material without having to read from your notes.

Make eye contact with your audience. If you are unable to do this, focus on something and it will appear that you are making eye contact with the audience.

Stand up straight and don’t slouch. Use the podium to your advantage (try not to hold onto it with a death grip).

Relax, breathe deep and smile.

Avoid using filler words such as “uhm, like, and okay”.

Moderate the pitch of your voice. Speak loudly enough to he heard, but do not speak in a monotone.

Speak slowly and clearly and enunciate your words.

Create note cards to help you with your presentation. Your note cards should contain a brief outline of your presentation. Do not read your cards verbatim to the audience.

Dress appropriately (business attire, uniform, etc.) Hats should be removed. No gum chewing.

If you are distributing brochures, or other kinds of materials wait until you have finished your presentation to keep the audience focused on your presentation.

Create a PowerPoint or Multi Media presentation to support the visual and audio aspects of your presentation.

o Your presentation must include photo’s, products, or artifacts that help the audience understand the career you have choose, what a day in the life might look like, where you would work, how you would dress, or what tools you will utilize in this professional.

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Mount Si High School Culminating Project

Presentation Outline Worksheet

I. Introduction A. Introduce yourself and the career that you chose for your project. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ B. Summarize the following:

a. Career Choice & Why you chose it! ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ b. Education ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ c. Salary ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ d. Employment Outlook ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ e. Professional Responsibilities ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ f. Opportunities ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ g. Locations for a job ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ h. Benefits (Medical; paid vacation; personal days off…) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ i. Tools Utilized in the Career ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ j. Will the career support your desired lifestyle? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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II. Explain the Project A. Visual Aides: Physical products (can be photo’s) should be utilized in presentation. Use “props” to explain

what the career “feels” like, tools of the trade, how one dresses, models, artifacts of the career etc... B. Project Description

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

C. What is the goal of the project? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

D. Research (describe the sources you used and explain how your research helped you complete the project,

i.e. job shadow, interview, etc.) __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

E. Triumphs and Tragedies (describe what aspects of your project met your expectations; what exceeded

your expectations. What problems have you encountered and how did you solve them?) __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

F. Additional assistance (if others helped you, tell who they were and how they helped)

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

III. Reflection on Learning A. Will you pursue this career? Explain. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

B. What is your Career Action Plan? Discuss your post-graduate plans: Now that I am graduating, I will be _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ My long-term career related goals are to: (1st goal) _______________________________________________________________________________ (2nd goal)_______________________________________________________________________________ IV. Conclusion A. Based on what you learned in this project, and from your high school experience, what would you share with the audience that you would recommend more students do or what would you have done differently? What words of wisdom can you share because of this project? B Questions - Why this career? During your four years, how many times have you changed your mind? Were there careers you thought you wanted to do, but now you realize you don’t from this project? What advice do you have for me from what you have learned? If you could redo your high school coursework, what would you do differently looking back and why?

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Professional Contact—Informational Interview Form

Student Name: __________________________________ Date: Name of person interviewed: Name of business or employer: Interviewee’s contact information: Address____________________________________________________

City _________________________________________ State_________

Business Phone: or Business Email:

Interview Questions: Describe your career (hours, working conditions, good & bad features of the career). What are the requirements of your career (education/training, degrees, certifications, personal and physical requirements)? How do you use English, Math and Technology skills in your career? What other academic skills do you use in your career field? What are the advancement opportunities and what is the future outlook for your career (opportunities for other related employment)? What do you like best about your career and what do you like least?

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Mount Si High School Culminating Project

Presentation Scoring Sheet

Student Name: __________________________________________________ Date:___________________________

Teacher / Classroom: _____________________________ Career Researched: _______________________________

1. Introduction of Self (2 points) 2

Total ______

2. Summarizes the career research project (4 points each)

Career Choice 4

Why this Career 4

Education 4

Salary 4

Employment Outlook 4

Professional Responsibilities 4

Opportunities 4

Locations for a job 4

Benefits 4

Will Career support desired lifestyle 4

Total ______

3. Reflects on learning from project (4 points each)

Will student pursue the career? 4

Career action plan (what will it take for you to achieve?) 4

Offers audience thoughts from HS experience, research, what suggestion they have for underclassmen and preparation for career field-what they would have done differently.

4

Total ______

4. Physical product, artifacts or pictures (20 points)

Items are used to help explain what the career “feels” like or tools of the trade, clothing, etc. (photos, products, artifacts, model, brochures)

20

Total ______

5. Demonstrates good presentation technique (2 points each)

Eye contact 2

Clear speech/Correct volume 2

Professional dress (no hats/t-shirts etc.) 2

Total ______

6. Portfolio (5 points each) Please note if student DID NOT bring to presentation

Current Transcript (thru Spring of Junior year) 5

Current/Updated Resume 5

MSHS Credit Evaluation Worksheet 5

High School and Beyond Plan (typed 1 – 2 PP)* State Mandate/If student didn’t bring MUST show Mrs. Essig to complete this requirement-Verbally remind student 5

Total ______

7. Included additional information (i.e. student did an informational Interview) (10 points)

Total ______

Total Length of Presentation: _________ Grand Total (minimum of 70 point to pass) ______

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Reflection Essay

Culminating Project Final Draft Evaluation

Student Name _____________________________ Reflective Essay Title ___________________________________________________________ Did Student Meet the Requirement? Yes ____ No ____ If requirement was not met student must edit essay and resubmit. Did student meet the requirement? Yes ____ No ____ Students in 12th grade Language Arts will have their papers evaluated by their teachers. Those papers that have met the class requirements will be acceptable to submit as part of the culminating project. Students in Running Start/SVVA will be evaluated using the requirements below.

Minimum 600 word essay with an introduction and conclusion

Content of the paper answers the prompt, either directly, or indirectly. Yes/No

Organization makes sense. Yes/No

Conventions: Paper contains little or no errors in spelling, punctuation, or usage. Yes/No

Style and Word Choice: Tone is appropriate for audience. Yes/No

Students WILL upload essay to Turnitin.com. Students will be provided with log on information. Choose from the following 2013-14 Common Application essay prompts:

.

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Resource List for Career Research ONLINE Map Your Career Online www.mapyourcareer.org An online resource for exploring career options and mapping out your career and education pathways WorkSource www.go2worksource.com (Statewide) or www.worksourceskc.org (Seattle-King County) Washington Workforce Explorer www.workforceexplorer.com Career and economic information for Washington State. WOIS—The Career Information System www.wois.org Look under the More Resources Tab U.S. Department of Labor-Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm Click “Search Box” or “A-Z Index” Washington State Department of Labor & Industries http://www.lni.wa.gov/ Vocational Information Center http://www.khake.com/ America’s Career Info Net—Career Exploration (self-assessments, career information) www.acinet.org Education Planner.org www.educationplanner.org Careers in the Military http://www.careersinthemilitary.com/ Apprenticeship Info http://www.lni.wa.gov/TradesLicensing/Apprenticeship/

OTHER RESOURCES: Public Library * Informational Interviews * Job Shadows * Internships

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In

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More Sample Questions Informational interviews offer a way to explore a career field in a short amount of time. Select questions that are relevant for you as you prepare for your phone or in-person informational meeting. See the following page for

suggestions on arranging an interview.

What are entry level position titles in your career field?

What do you spend most of your time doing on the job?

What sort of environment do you work in?

What sort of people do you work with?

Does the salary provide for a comfortable lifestyle?

What kind of educational preparation do you need for this position?

How competitive is entry into your field?

What do you consider the most important college courses you completed as related to your

current position?

What hours do you typically work? Do you work on the weekends?

How much work do you take home with you?

Do you have comp-time or the option for flex-time?

How many days of vacation do you receive per year?

Can you describe your benefits package?

What is your next step along your career path?

What skills are necessary to perform your job activities?

How much variety is connected with your work routine?

What do you like about your occupation? Why?

What don’t you like about your occupation? Why?

What is the outlook for openings in your field over the next few years?

What qualities do employers look for in job applicants who want to enter your occupation?

Can you recommend the names of other people I can consult to find out more about your

field?

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Arranging an Interview

Job Shadow or

Informational

Interview? Job shadowing typically is observing someone at

work for a day or even a week. It may not be possible for a student to

manage this type of assignment—but an

informational interview can fit into anyone’s schedule.

Informational interviews are not job interviews but

are ways to increase your knowledge beyond a description in a book or on

a web page. Try to schedule a face-to-face

meeting for at least 30 minutes, at the person’s place of business.

Finding a

Contact Ask your family, friends and neighbors, former

teachers or coaches for a referral to someone who

works in a field of interest.

Schedule an

appointment Introduce yourself and mention the person who

referred you. If it would be more convenient for the interviewee, offer to call

back when he or she has 15 or 20 minutes

free. Interviews often last longer than 20 minutes. Many people enjoy

discussing their professions. Allow for

plenty of extra time.

Sample Request

Letter Dear [Recipient Name]: I am currently researching positions in the field of [industry or job field] and [name] suggested that you would be an excellent source of information. I would like to learn more about the types of jobs available in this field and the skills required for them. I hope that you can find 20-30 minutes to meet with me before the end of the month. I will contact you the week of [date] to set up an appointment. If you have questions, please contact me by phone at [phone number] or by e-mail at [e-mail address]. I appreciate your time in considering my request. Sincerely, [Your Name]

Prepare for the

interview After making an appointment, conduct

some basic research. Know, in general, what people in the position do.

Develop a list of good questions.

Keep the

appointment Dress appropriately. Be sure the professional understands you are there

for opinions and advice, not a job. Give a very

brief background history when you introduce

yourself. Take notes. Be sure to thank the person for his or her time and

information. Be sure to collect business cards,

they will come in handy when you send thank you notes.

Thank you Send or email your informational contact a

brief thank you message within a day or two of your meeting. It can be a

simple statement like this: “Thank you for taking the time to speak with me yesterday about your career path. It really helped me understand what my options would be in this field.