SENIOR PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Nathan Sharp is the President of the 2012 senior class at Fairfield Christian Academy. He is currently involved in drama, choir, media team, and serves as secretary of Fairfield Christian’s chapter of the National Honor Society. Also, Nathan was recently an exchange student in Ecuador during the 2010-2011 school year. For his Senior Project, as the capstone of his senior year, he decided to write a short novel. Nathan categorizes his book’s genre as “tragic fiction with an enlightening ending.” His mentor for this project has been Mrs. Denise Porter, FCA 8th grade Language Arts teacher.
“Writing allows me to express my thoughts and feelings in a semi-tangible way,” Nathan says as he described his love for writing. His future plans include attending college at Asbury University and majoring in Bible/Pre-Ministry.
Article and photography by Hannah Peterson, Junior
LISTING OF ALL SENIOR PROJECTS along with times and locations of presentations.
Senior Project Information
One of the expectations we at Fairfield Christian Academy have of our seniors is that each student completes the Senior Project Initiative. Its purpose is to not only challenge all students and raise expectations to improve achievement, but also to provide a culminating activity for seniors to demonstrate the essential skills they all should have before leaving high school.
Senior Project consists of three components completed throughout the year. The first component of the Senior Project is the actual physical project that relates to a research paper topic. Each student is required to work with a mentor who can provide expertise and guide, facilitate, and document the student's progress on the project. This project is to be done outside of class time requiring a minimum of 15 documented hours usually between August and January. Students are also required to maintain a portfolio and log to record their time, efforts and thoughts. while completing the process. Most students find this part of the project the most enjoyable, and it also is invaluable in developing and sharpening problem solving, communication, time management, and “hands-on” real-life skills. The project / mentorship / portfolio accounts for 40% of the final grade.
The second component of the Senior Project is a research paper. It will require the students to use specific skills – research, organization, written expression, and critical thinking. This paper will be completed in their Senior English class. The research paper, like the project, will count as 40% of the final Senior Project grade. 
The last part to the Senior Project is a 12-minute oral presentation of the paper and project that each student will make to a board of community members and teachers in May. This is when the students get to brag and show their pride in what they have accomplished and learned. Presenting publicly can be stressful, but oral communication skills are essential for any person to have no matter what career path is chosen. The presentation is worth 20% of the complete Senior Project grade.
The Senior Project develops and hones many important academic skills as well as many non-academic qualities. Students will be expected to meet deadlines, so they will have to learn to plan and budget time. They will often be required to overcome obstacles, move from their “comfort zones,” and learn to cope with the healthy stresses that sometimes occur. The students will have to learn to make contacts with other people and find information in places not traditionally applied in school. Everything learned from completing the Senior Project process will help a student become a more independent thinker, learner, and problem solver. In turn, it is our hope that he will then become an informed, responsible, passionate ambassador for Christ.
Senior Project Handbook
Click on the title to access handbook in the preferred format:
Senior Projects and Research - Class of 2007-2011
2011-2012 - Overview of Project Turn in requirements and due dates
2011-2012 Senior Project Handbook - MSWord file
2011-2012 Senior Project Handbook - PDF file
2012-2013 Overview of Project Turn in requirements and due dates
2012-2013 Senior Project Handbook - MSWord file
2012-2013 Senior Project Handbook - PDF file
Senior Project turn in forms - please download and use the forms below as a template. These can be printed and turned in or e-mailed to your Senior Project advisor. Please be sure to check the Project Handbook for the turn in dates and always keep a back up copy of your forms.
Senior Project Application Form - must be typed
Mentor Agreement Form - may be typed or handwritten depending on the mentor's preferrance. Please be sure to submitt to your mentor 2-3 weeks before the turn in date.
Senior Project Checkpoint Form - must be typed
Initial Portfolio Requirements
Letter to the Project Review Board - Overview and Sample letter
Senior Resume - Template - must be typed (Requirement added starting with the Class of 2013)
Student Log - Overview of the requirements
Student Log - Sample - must be typed
Project Abstract - must be typed
Project Self Evaluation Form - must be typed
Mentor Verification - may be typed or handwritten depending on the mentor's preferrance. Please be sure to submitt to your mentor 2-3 weeks before the turn in date.
GO! INFOhio resource tool breaks the research process down into three major phases: Asking questions, Acting by finding sources and taking notes, and Achieving a final product.
Each phase is broken down further with key research questions that link to INFOhio resources, forms, and trustworthy websites to help with that step. All resources in GO! INFOhio are free to Ohio students. While the site is designed for 6th-10th grade, it works for any student who can read and who need structure to stay focused during a long-term research process.
Research Paper Schedule and Turnitin Directions
Research Abstract - must be typed - 2012 Deadline changed to April 6th