reflection brainstorm what if... stepping stones choosing a topic essential question getting feedback letter of intent learning agreement You have brainstormed ideas and considered them from different angles. Now it’s time to finalize your topic by crafting a letter of intent to submit for approval by your seminar advisor. Below are guidelines for the content and format of your letter. You should plan on word processing your letter.
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SAMPLE LETTER OF INTENT.
Date Focused Program of Study Senior Seminar Advisor’s Name Dear (Senior Seminar Advisor’s Name): Paragraph 1: State the topic of your Senior Seminar Experience and the essential question framing your work. Explain why you chose this topic. Explain how you will conduct an experiment or other in-depth research, seek to solve a problem, design or invent something original and/or make a contribution to society Paragraph 2: State how this Senior Seminar Experience will challenge you. Describe the skills you bring to the SSE and the new skills and knowledge you expect to acquire. Explain your preliminary research and your plan for researching the topic further. Paragraph 3: Describe how your Senior Seminar Experience will connect to your Focused Program of Study and your next steps after high school. Also, include how you plan to work with adults in the community. List the adult(s) in the community who have agreed to consult with you on your SSE and describe their role in your work. Paragraph 4: Explain your understanding of the requirements and components of the Senior Seminar Experience. Your full name Your signature
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reflection brainstorm what if... stepping stones choosing a topic essential question getting feedback letter of intent learning agreement
ORIGINALLY, NEL
THOUGHT SHE WANTED TO ANALYZE WATER SAMPLES FROM A STREAM IN THE COMMUNITY FOR HER
October 15, 2001 Natural Resource Systems Mr. Rick Neiland Dear Mr. Neiland: The topic of my Senior Seminar Experience is water pollution and the role local residents can play in improving water quality. The essential question framing my SSE is: What are effective strategies to raise public awareness among students about water pollution and increase civic action? I chose this topic because I am interested in both the scientific and political aspects of environmental conservation. I believe my work will benefit society by helping make students more politically and socially active. The goal of my SSE is to make students aware of water pollution issues in our area and inform them on how to make change happen. I have strong communication and writing skills and some knowledge of environmental issues. I look forward to learning about specific issues in my community, especially how to lobby my congressional leaders. This SSE will challenge me to make my opinions on the environment public and inform students in my school. I have done some preliminary research on the major sources of pollution in our local river systems. I located articles in the Oregonian and a more general article in Newsweek that discussed the problem nationally. I have only scratched the surface of the research I need to complete. I have a number of government reports to read and numerous interviews to conduct. I need to learn more about water quality as well as political strategies that have been successful in influencing others and creating change. My SSE relates to my Advanced Biology class and ties in with my CRLE project with SOLV. I will work with Herb Smart, Fish and Wildlife Extension Specialist, State University and Tara Austen, Focus Session Facilitator, Media Corp. Mr. Smart will help me understand the science of water issues in the community and Ms. Austen will help me devise a public awareness campaign in the school. I am very interested in Biology and after obtaining my college degree hope to become a researcher. I understand all the requirements and components of the Senior Seminar Experience and realize that the SSE is a requirement for graduation. I understand I will receive credit based on the quality of my work and not based on how long I spend on my Senior Seminar Experience. Nel Gonzales
SENIOR
SEMINAR EXPERIENCE
ON WATER POLLUTION.
AFTER HER BRAINSTORM
AND “WHAT IF..” ACTIVITY, SHE DISCOVERED THAT SHE WAS MORE INTERESTED IN TRYING TO MAKE OTHER STUDENTS AWARE OF AND ACTIVE IN WATER POLLUTION ISSUES.
Nel Gonzales
NORTH CL ACKAMAS SCHOOL DISTRICT / SSE STUDENT GUIDE