Beginning in May, Class I students will go “on project,” spending the weeks before graduation exploring scientific questions, cultural practices, community engagement, career possibilities and artistic endeavors about which they are passionate.
“Senior Projects are an exciting way for students to really explore their passions and interests, or to learn something entirely new,” says academic dean Jackie Bonenfant. Often, seniors reveal interests that they hadn’t had the chance to display during their time at Milton.
Throughout the years, several parents and alumni have generously offered to mentor students during Senior Projects, and Jackie says she hopes to expand the available mentorship opportunities in the future. “To grow those relationships would be great for everybody involved,” she says. “We have so many parents who do such interesting and wonderful things. We would welcome interest from any parent who’d want to take on a student for those four weeks and give them a glimpse into their work.”
Over the winter, interested students develop their ideas for projects; they recruit a member of the faculty or staff as a project advisor; and submit their proposals to a committee of faculty who determine whether the project meets certain criteria for approval, or needs amendment. The faculty committee looks at the size of the group, how the students plan to divide the work, how many hours each week they’re likely to spend on their plan, and why they’re interested in this particular project. A full project requires 40 hours per week. Many students fulfill their project requirements through two half projects, committing 20 hours per week to each. Faculty and staff sponsors meet with students on campus at least once per week to check in on progress, or discuss any challenges that arise.
Topics chosen by the Class of 2018 include an internship in the Massachusetts State House; performing classical covers of pop songs; restaurant internships in Milton and Boston; shadowing physicians; creating visual art exhibits; building a go-kart; developing a resource guide for Milton’s robotics team; interning with a police department; observing genetic research and helping students in Lower School classrooms. They will write, create, translate, volunteer, observe, act, sing, construct, dance and experiment.
Two separate projects involve creating Milton-specific photo collections inspired by the book Harvard Works Because We Do and the blog “Humans of New York.” Students will interview and photograph School support staff for one project and feature faculty and staff of color in another.
“They will be a really exciting look into the people who make Milton what it is,” Jackie said.
Parents, families and other Milton students are invited to project performances and the third annual Senior Project Fair, where students will showcase their work. Project performances begin Tuesday, June 5 and will be held in various campus spaces through Thursday, June 7; the Senior Project Fair and Art Exhibition will be held on Wednesday, June 6, beginning at 1:30 p.m. in the FCC and the Arts Commons.
Parents and alumni wishing to serve as mentors to future seniors during projects should contact Jackie directly at jackie_bonenfant@milton.edu or 617-898-2570.