Senior projects in District One

The two high schools in Big Horn County School District #1 have a class entitled Senior Studies. The class includes career exploration, resume writing, mock job interviews, basic car and home repair, cooking and this year a senior project.

Sally Bernhisel, District Career Coordinator, explained that while looking at the Profile of a Graduate, a district group broke down the information and found gaps that they felt must be addressed. This led to the senior project.

The project was introduced to the students at the end of their junior year, in order to have the summer to think and plan. Each student was to choose a project that interested them, as long as it met the following criteria: 1. The project must be related to a skill, career or service; 2. They must be able to put at least 20 hours into the project; 3. They must be able to find a mentor for the project.

Students began by deciding on an appropriate project. They would discuss their idea with their project advisor, and if it was approved, they set out to find a mentor. Mentors could be from the school or community as long as they were willing to commit to the project.

Students would then develop a project plan and determine when and where the project would be completed. A time chart had to be kept to insure at least 20 hours were spent on the project. Most students, according to Bernhisel, went over the 20 hours.

Mentors and students developed a working relationship. However, students had to learn how to accept constructive criticism and directions from their mentors as well as ask questions to get the information they needed.

While completing the project, students were building their portfolio. The portfolio included a project overview, mentor agreement, resume, project hour log, project development and evaluations from student, and mentor and summary of the project. Upon completion, each student gave a presentation, using visual aids of varying kinds to show what they accomplished.

The projects were as varied as the students. They included: horse training, building a structure, repairing a flute, repairing and rebuilding engines, horse shoeing, learning about underwriting and other banking processes, creating a demo tape, learning to sew, taking and editing drone film for businesses, organizing a community sip and paint, forging steel into useful products and many more.

Students reported feelings of confidence and accomplishment. They learned to be patient with themselves and others. They learned that communication is essential in any successful endeavor. Soft skills that are so important to success.

Bernhisel expressed that staff learned a great deal this year, as well, and will be fine tuning the process for next year.