- Columbus East High School
- Senior Project
Senior Project
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Senior Capstone Experience
Click to view Senior Project Brochure
Click to view Open House Informational Presentation
DOWNLOAD THE SENIOR PROJECT PROPOSAL FORM
Ideas from the community for Senior Projects can be emailed directly to Jaci Jones, Senior Project Coordinator, at: jonesj@bcsc.k12.in.us.
A BRIEF OVERVIEW
The Senior Capstone Experience/Senior Project is a student-selected exploration of a topic which results in a research paper, a project or a product, and a presentation. The Senior Capstone Experience moves students away from departmentalized learning toward a more interdisciplinary approach. This approach is one which allows students to use a variety of skills in the areas of writing, speaking, research, and documentation. Upon completion of the Senior Capstone Experience, students have learned more about their topics, their community, and, most importantly, about themselves.
THE PROPOSAL
As part of their English 12 class, students compose written proposals of their projects. Students present their project proposals to a Senior Project Proposal Approval Committee, made up of faculty members. The approval committee members ask questions of the students to clarify the proposal. During the proposal approval process students identify the academic and personal stretch the project will require.
THE PAPER
Following the time line established for their projects, students write research papers with the guidance of their English teachers. Along with secondary sources, students are required to use primary sources. Students conduct interviews, read research, prepare reports, and complete self-evaluations as part of the writing process. Students follow the documentation rules of Modern Language Association (MLA).
THE PROJECT/PRODUCT
The projects/products direct the students toward individualized learning. The projects/products require students to apply the knowledge gained during the research phase. The projects/products must be completed on the students’ own time, must be challenging, and must require from fifteen to forty hours or more of work. Mentors work with students during this phase of the Senior Capstone Experience.
THE PORTFOLIO
At the close of the Senior Capstone Experience, students assemble their electronic portfolios. The portfolios consist of the approved proposal, research paper, project log, journal entries, a letter to the judges, as well as artifacts displaying visual verification of the project. Judges read the portfolios before presentations begin to formulate questions which they will ask students during the presentation.
THE PRESENTATION
In the final step of the process, students design ten minute presentations of their complete Senior Project experience. Students are required to speak to a panel of judges and then are required to answer questions from those judges. Community members serve as panel judges.
Senior Project Information
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Senior Project Hall of Fame
Senior Project Hall of Fame
The SENIOR PROJECT HALL OF FAME was established with the Class of 2007 to recognize students who complete exemplary senior projects. To achieve Hall of Fame status students must be nominated by their English 12 teacher, and their project must meet the following selection criteria:
Selection criteria:
- The student made an exemplary effort to carry out the project.
- The project was a true learning stretch for the student.
- The project went beyond the student’s personal fulfillment to benefit someone or something else.
- The project was completed by the deadline.
- The project can stand as a model of academic and personal integrity in the true spirit of Columbus East High School’s standard for senior projects.
The names of the inductees are added to a perpetual plaque located in the Capstone display on gallery level.
CLASS OF 2019
Hailee Bott, Riley Coers, Madison Engelau, Olivia Fuel, Eduardo Garcia, Shelby Kelsay
CLASS OF 2018
Alec Burnett, Anissa Edwards, Elizabeth Frazier, Kyndal Gary, Lucyanna Henrichsen, Lam Duy (David) Phan
CLASS OF 2017
Harry Crider, Ben Elsbury, Reilly Jones, Camryn Morris, Lauren Schumacher, Rachel Stull
CLASS OF 2016
Sara Carmen, Shaunak Deshmukh, Bryn Eudy, Clayton Kroger, Austin Lewis, Ella Rohlfs, Andrew Thomasson
CLASS OF 2015
Dustin Carmer, Emma Dewhirst, Tyler Johnson, Jacob Katzenmeyer, Jacob Aaron Smith, Kylie Stattenfield, Kaitlin Wendel, Nicole Wheeler
CLASS OF 2014
Rachel Amlung, Jennaleigh Burgess, Taylor Hannasch, Andrea Hendrickson, Naveen Menon, Sydney Newell, Madel Presto, Caroline Smith, Jacob Villiger
CLASS OF 2013
Christine Awad, Connor Jensen, Allie Newell, Rebekah Nolting, Sarah Weaver, Joel Williams
CLASS OF 2012
Megan Bailey, Taylor Chitty, Anton Hopkins, Consuelo Jimenez Perez, Adam Kruchten, Meredith Lutz, Jessica Sung
CLASS OF 2011
Rachel Brown, Jose Burgos, Alicia Gosney, Sarah Katelynn Miller, Elizabeth Romanski, Taylor Shedd
CLASS OF 2010
Megan Agnew, Joshua Compton, Lizbeth Gonzalez, Ellen Henderson, Callum Morris, Lucy Moser, Mallory Reed, Abbie Schultz, Alison Sullivan, Kelsey White
CLASS OF 2009
Kaitlin Carnes, Micah Fischer, Freddie King, Ethan Miller, Kyla Stamper, Charlie Weikert, Alyse Zook
CLASS OF 2008
McKayla Barber, Bryce Fathauer, Charles Gillihan, Van Hoang, Matthew Whitlock, Jacob Wilson
CLASS OF 2007
Danielle Douglas, Esmeralda Marcos, Cassie Pitman, Julie Schneider, Raphael Schwartzman, Teresa Thigpen, Aubree Tuell
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Topic Past Students Have Completed
4-H Adventure Days
5K Walk for Breast Cancer
AARP Tax Aid
AARP Tax Aide Consultant
Adopt a Pet Weekend
African Entrepreneurship
Anti-Drug Flyers
Antique Tractor Show
Architectural Model
Art Show
Autism Education for Columbus Police Dept.
Baby Blankets for Columbus Regional Hospital
Beauty Makeovers
Benefit Concert
Benefit Dinner for Horizon house
Best Buddies
Bird Carriers
Blood Drive
Body Building
Breakfast with Santa
Breeding Show Pigs
Building a Bench
Building a Deck
Building a Guitar
Building a Race Car
Building a Sail Boat
Building Cat Condos
Building Coffee Table
Building Electric Bass Guitar
Care Packages for Riley Hospital
Caring Parents Translation
Carving a Bench
CASA Playhouse
Cat Condo for Humane Society
CEHS Band "Extravaganza 2008"
CEHS Swim Team Timeline
Chevy Truck Restoration
Child ID Cards
Children's Literacy
Church Restroom Renovation
Church Web Site
Coaching Basketball Team
Competitive Chess
Computer construction
Constructing a Trailer
Constructing Armor
CPR & First Aid
Crochet Teddy Bears for CRH
Culinary Arts Competition
Dance Recital
Diabetes Insulin Pump Program
Directing a Play
Diversity Unity Summit
Dog Grooming
Domestic Violence Documentary
Domestic Violence Education
Donner Pool Water Slide
Drum and Bugle Corps Try Outs
Elementary Lesson Plans
Elizabethtown Fire Department
Entertainment Center
ESL Tutor at Clifty Creek Elementary
ESL Tutor at Taylorsville
Etched Glass Mirror
Exercise Class at kidsCommons
Exercise Fence for Humane Society
Fantasy Novel
Fashion Show
Females in Law Enforcement
FFA Golf Club
FFY Self-Defense Class
Fire Safety and Prevention
Firemen's Cheer Fund Donations
Fitness and Strength Training
Fitness Club at Central Middle School
Ford F-150 Truck Restoration
Ford Mustang Restoration
Fostering Dogs
Freshmen Orientation Video
Fundraiser for "Just Friends"
General Contracting
Geometry for Pre-K
Gift Collection for Haitian Children
Girls Rugby Team
Goat Milk Soap
Gospel CD Recording
High School Scrapbook
Home Run Derby
Horseback Riding Therapy
Humane Society Toys
Indian Entrepreneurs
Indy 500 Mini Marathon Training
International Baccalaureate Program
Jazz Concert
Jazz Dance Instruction
Jeep Cherokee Restoration
Knot Blankets
Landscaping
Landscaping at CEHS
Learning Italian
Learning to Play Guitar
Learning to Play Guitar for Church Youth Group
Learning to Play Piano
Learning to Play Violin
Lifting Weights
Lighting for School Play
Love Chapel Enrichment Bags
Love Chapel Fundraiser
Making a Quilt
Making Fleece Blankets
Mammography Assistance
Marketing Photographer
Medical Career Choices
Mexico Mission Trip
Military Technology
Mini Marathon Training
Modeling Portfolio
Motorcycle Restoration
Motorcycle Safety
Mountain Biking
Mt. Healthy Cheerleading
Muay Thai Martial Arts
Muscatatuck Trails Clean-up
Musical Documentary
Nature Walk
Nutritional Guide
Original Song Recorded
PAAL Basketball
Paint Exterior of Home
Parkour Fitness Program
Penny Wars
Pet Care
Photography Calendar
Physical Fitness
Planning Children's Party
Planting Garden and Mural at Clifty Creek Elementary
Playing Drums
Playing the Ukulele
Positive Self-Esteem
Pottery Wheel Classes
Pregnancy Care Center Baby Blankets
Pregnancy Care Center Fundraiser
Pregnancy Care Center Garage Sale
Pregnancy Care Center Packages
Pre-School Child Care
Psychology Experiment
Publishing Book
Reading Partners at Fodrea
Rebuild Engine
Rebuilding a Motor
Rebuilt Chevy Blazer
Rebuilt Go-Kart
Re-doing a Room
Remodeling Basement
Renovating - Home Siding and Insulation
Renovating Bedroom
Restoration of 1850's Bathroom
Restoring Porsche
Restroom Restoration
Roasted Coffee
Role Model Video
Room Renovation
Running Marathon
Safety Driving Class
Sale of Central Gym Floor
Sans Souci Jewelry Auction
School Recycling
Scrapbook
Service Retreat
Sewing a Quilt
Sewing for a Toddler
Smith Elementary Dance Team
Soccer Goalkeeper Training
Sock Drive for Sans Souci
Soup Kitchen
Sprint Triathlon
St. Bartholomew Soup Kitchen
Stained Glass Bench
Steel Snare Drum Construction
Strength Training Program
Student Voice
Swimming Pool Deck
Tae-Kwon-Do
Teaching Piano Classes
Teaching Spanish Phrases to Dental Employees
Teaching Tap Dance Classes
Technical Direction of Four Plays
Tennis Classes
The Blessing Box
Therapeutic Horse Riding
Thyroid Cancer Info
Tile Kitchen Floor
Triathlon Training
Triathlon/Bike Club
Turning Point Dance Marathon
Tutoring Kindergarten Students
Upgrade Dirt Bike
Veterans History Project
Violin Class at Smith Elementary
Volunteer Coordinator at VIM
Volunteering in ESL Class
Walk for Transplant Patients
Warm-Up Exercises
Website for the ARC
Weight Loss
Welding a Tricycle
Western Horseback Riding
Wheels to Work
Wooden Toys for Fireman's Cheer Fund
Writing Children's Book
Youth Camp Lifeguard Chair
Youth Group Room Refurbished
Mentors
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Why Be a Mentor?
Why Be A Mentor?
- A mentor can provide a special caring or bond which may help to keep a student focused on school and learning.
- Mentors can act as advocates.
- Mentors have a role in supporting academic achievement by tutoring, developing time management habits, and assisting with projects.
- Mentors model and help students develop employability skills including reliability, dependability, communication skills, team work, and knowledge of proper dress and language.
- Mentors can help students set goals, make decisions, and resolve problems
- Mentors can provide youth with access to the values, customs, resources and experiences of different occupational and social worlds. At the same time, mentors gain direct knowledge of the challenges and experiences specific to the world of their protégés.
- It is a "stretch" for the mentor because mentoring requires commitment, patience, persistence, and giving without always receiving.
The best mentoring experience not only provides the student with an important relationship, but empowers the young person to use the experience to plan and work for the future.
It is the supreme art of the mentor to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.
-Albert Einstein
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Mentor Do's and Dont's
Dos and Don'ts of Mentoring*
Mentor Dos Mentor Don'ts Praise the student when deserved Don't judge the student or his/her family Share with the student and communicate Don't forget that communication means listening Appreciate any growth Don't think you can change the world overnight Ask questions and gather information Don't forget that confidence is built on trust Be punctual Don't disappoint a student that's counting on you by being late Be a good role model Don't use inappropriate dress or language (oral or written) Follow the rules of the school and of senior projects Don't allow students to talk you into things that are against school rules Show attention and concern by being a friend Don't try to be a parent Recognize the student's values and lifestyle Don't impose your beliefs or values on the student, but demonstrate your values Strive for mutual respect Don't tolerate rudeness or foul language Come prepared Don't come without a plan Be honest Don't think a student can't spot insincerity Assist the student as he/she does the project Don't do the project for the student Encourage Don't berate or belittle Be a coach, motivator, advisor, and teacher Don't serve as a social worker, playmate, financier, or professional counselor *Adapted from Smink, J. (1999). A Training Guide for Mentors -
Mentor Requirements and Guidelines
Mentor Requirements
- Have expertise in the field with significant experience in the student's selected topic;
- Be over 21 years of age, not the student's peer;
- Boyfriends or girlfriends of students may not be their mentor -- no matter the age of the boyfriend or girlfriend, parents of a boyfriend or girlfriend should not mentor a student;
- Not a relative of the student;
- Be available for consultation with the student on a regular basis;
- Verify hours and student work completed on the project;
- Have a valid, working e-mail address and ability to communicate electronically.
Mentoring Guidelines
- Act as a primary resource (be interviewed, provide information) for the student during the research paper phase;
- Suggest sources that the student can seek out for research;
- Share with the student any materials to which you have access that will help the students complete the paper or project;
- Meet with the student on a regular basis to check progress;
- Assist the student in establishing objectives and keeping a log of activities completed while meeting;
- Give the student practical experience in the area of the chosen topic;
- Listen to the student's practice speech and offer appropriate feedback;
- Encourage the student to perform at a maximum level.
Remember – a mentor is a guide.
It is not expected that you DO the project for the student, but GUIDE the student through the process. -
Mentor/Student Agreement
AGREEMENT FOR SENIOR PROJECT
STUDENT/MENTOR COOPERATIONStudent agrees to follow mentor instructions at all times. Student use of facility and equipment will be at the discretion of mentor. Mentor will help the student define specifically his/her senior project focus. Mentor will help the student accomplish/attempt a reasonable "learning stretch" Mentor will verify that the project has been completed/attempted and represents a learning stretch, a quest for quality, acceptable performance and meets or exceeds the time requirement. -
Mentor Listing
Mentors represent the following
community businesses, organizations and agencies:Allen Electric Alterations Alternatives to Health Day Spa American Cancer Society American Motorcycle Association Amos Hill Associates Apostolic Bible Church Audio Source Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. Bartholomew County Extension Office Bartholomew County Humane Society Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. (BCSC) BCSC (ret) BCSC Community Tranisition BCSC Transportation Beth's Dancenter Big Brothers/Big Sisters Brands Lumber Brown's Antiques & Furniture Restoration Central Middle School Central Middle School (Ret) Central Tech Solutions Ceraland Children, Inc. Circuit City Clifty Creek Elementary School Columbus Academy of Music Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce Columbus Christian School Columbus Container Columbus East High School Columbus Enrichment Program Columbus Enterprise Development Corp. Columbus First Assembly Columbus North High School Columbus Pal Boxing Club Columbus Pediatric Associates Columbus Philharmonic Orchestra Columbus Police Department Columbus Regional Hospital Columbus Runners Club Columbus Star Quilters Columbus Youth Soceer Association Comic Cave Common Ground Coffee Bar Creative Memories Crimson Lane Farms Cross Nine Ranch Cummins Child Development Center Cummins Inc. Cummins Inc. (Ret) Decatur County Court System E.R. Gray & Associates Eastside Community Center Eastside Veterinary Clinic Elsbury Greenhouse EPIC Coaching & Training Expert Eye Care First Assembly of God Church Fodrea Elementary School Forster Electrical Services Foundation For Youth Franklin College Gant Construction & Design Glass House Studio Glassworks of Louisville Green Tree Assisted Living Greenbelt Golf Course Guitar City Hamilton Center Ice Arena Hamilton Ice Center Hanner Financial Services, Inc. Heritage Fund Honeymoon Hauling Hope Vetinary Clinic Human Services Independent Consultant for State of Indiana Indiana Association of Soil & Water Conser Indiana Blood Center Irwin Financial IUPUC IUPUC Business Student Ivy Tech State College James Construction Handyman Joli Development Julianna Drerup Voice Studio Just Friends Adult Day Care Services Kenny Glass kidscommons Lag's Billiards Life Blood Studios Love Chapel March of Dimes Martha Erickson Piano Studio Master Gardener McDowell Adult Education Center Memorial Baptist Church Menard's Moose Lodge Mt. Healthy Elementary Nay & Son Trucking Neufelder Gallery Northside Middle School Northview Assembly of God Parker Portraits Parkside Elementary School Paws and Think Peterson Creative Art & Design Portraits by Cindy Poland Preferred Properties Pregnancy Care Center of Columbus Purdue University Vet. School Quilts of Valor Repp & Mundt Inc. Ret. Richards Elementary School Richards Elevator Rimar Construction Company Ritter's Frozen Custard Roadway Express Rockwell Automation Ryan Construction Sans Souci Self-employed Seymour Manufacturing Company Shriners Children's Hospital Smith Elementary School Snowflake Forge South Central Customs South Central Indiana Interpreting Southern Indiana Cheer & Dance Southern Indiana Orthopedics Southside Elementary School St. Bartholomew Catholic Church St. Peter's Lutheran School State of Indiana State of Indiana (Representative) Synapse Studios Taylor Brothers Construction Teresa's Dog Grooming The Republic This Old Guitar Tiny Tots Music School Tipton Lakes Athletic Club Tobacco Awareness Action Team Tom Pickett's Music Center Total Fitness Turning Point Turning Point Domestic Violence Shelter Viewpoint Books Volunteers in Medicine Walnut Ridge Golf Course Woodworkers For Jesus World Church of Pentecost