How to: Good Senior Projects

Choose a senior project that is important to you.

Each year, high school seniors from around the United States face a large task. They must complete a project that should leave an impact, whether on the community or certain individuals. It gives the students the opportunity to learn about service before they embark on life as adults after graduation. Choosing a topic is not always easy, but it should be something you deem important and worthwhile. Consider participating in a project that can continue after you graduate.

Instructions

1. Plant a community or school garden. Enlist the help of community members or other students to help raise funds and delegate responsibilities of caring for the garden. Create a plan as to how to divide the harvest among community members.

2. Create a program that connects elders in the community with young people. Contact a local retirement center and find out if you can create a type of buddy system. Older men and women will enjoy having visitors and it gives young people a chance to connect with someone outside their peer group.

3. Establish new recycling centers. If there are parts of your school or neighborhood that do not offer proper ways to recycle waste, talk to your principal or community council members to install new recycling containers.

4. Organize a cleanup. Choose a beach, park, lake or other public area in your town that needs attention. Gather the help of community members and students to participate in a trash cleanup. Consider planting more trees or painting old structures, such as benches or playground equipment, to enhance the public space.

5. Install a student art gallery. Request permission to display student art work on empty spaces in the school. Ask students to submit their work, whether paintings, sculpture, photography or any other form of expression. Rotate the exhibits every few months.

6. Start a tutoring and mentoring program with the local elementary or middle schools. Young students in need of academic help or a mentor can pair up with high school students to meet after school. The pairs can work on homework, study for tests, play games or just talk. Young students will enjoy having older companions to look up to.

7. Plan a health fair. Ask health care providers, nutritionists and trainers in your area to visit your school and set up a booth with information or give a demonstration. A blood drive can also be included as part of the health fair, as well as races, sports tournaments or a cooking class to encourage a healthy lifestyle.

8. Host a clothing and food drive. Coordinate with a local homeless shelter, place of worship or charity to find out how you can help donate clothing and canned goods to those in need. Designate a week during the school year when students and faculty can bring in items from home to donate.

References

• Shorecrest High School: Project Ideas List
• The Michigan Associations of Student Councils and Honor Societies: Service Projects