Graduation presentation exams
By Denise
@petatonicsca (7070)
Japan
June 1, 2020 2:15am CST
At my school, at the end of senior year (12th grade, the last grade of high school, age 18-19 kids) we have what we call "senior comprehensives" or "senior orals". Each student, at the beginning of the school year, chose a topic of some global problem (climate change, use of fossil fuels, unjust governments, orphans, nutrition...) and spend the year researching it, as well as doing their other studies. Their goal is to learn as much as they can and create a project that can help alleviate the problem.
This year, the project was somewhat interrupted by the coronavirus. The students who did projects where their solution depended on earning money by doing a dinner or presentation were not able to do that.
Tomorrow, each student will present their research to a panel of two faculty members, who grade them on a lot of different things, such as accuracy, data, Biblical perspective (we're a Christian school). workable solution, presentation skills. Usually we can hear them practicing for their friends in the weeks building up to this, and middle and high school students come and listen to the presentations. This year it will be the student presenting on Google Meets, the two faculty members, and possibly family or friends to whom they have given the Meets information.
I listen to two students tomorrow. One is new to the school this year because his mother came to teach at our school. The other I have taught since kindergarten, every year, so I know her very well. It should be an interesting day.
We are hoping for no technical glitches and for smooth presentations. This is usually both the hardest and most enjoyable day of the school year as our students show what they have learned.
In my opinion, this is very much like a PhD defense, only at a lower level. We didn't have to do anything like this at my high school or even my college (we had a summative 6-hour exam on music education). Even for my masters, we didn't have to present to anyone but our class. How about you?
4 people like this
4 responses
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
1 Jun 20
i am an instructor on nursing skills for the students that i handle in level 2 and 4. it is not easy; it is actually difficult, to teach my students on proper aspiration of medicine from a vial as a technique, because it should be hands-on and actual practice
1 person likes this
@petatonicsca (7070)
• Japan
1 Jun 20
Music is that way too. Writing music down on paper is not making music. You have to actually sing or play and make sounds in order to learn music. Reading notes is very important but that's not all.
1 person likes this
@Fa_Maverick (9491)
• Australia
1 Jun 20
I'm doing my placement right now for uni. I am working on gene reviews. At the end of the semester (2 days ago) I had to record an oral presentation on what we have done so far I have also written a report. At the end of the year, I need to do another to summarise and present my findings. I am very excited to present my hard work to my supervisors
@petatonicsca (7070)
• Japan
1 Jun 20
That's similar to us in age, but our exam comes after students have been accepted at uni. What genes are you studying? I like science and almost went into microbiology but opted for music education instead. Currently I am studying volcanology and other geology for fun.
1 person likes this
@Fa_Maverick (9491)
• Australia
1 Jun 20
@petatonicsca I'm studying genes that are associated with Cerebral Palsy. I am doing some geology as a filler as I needed another first-year subject I find it somewhat boring in some ways but also really interesting in other ways.
@petatonicsca (7070)
• Japan
1 Jun 20
@Fa_Maverick That's interesting. I always thought CP was caused by a birth injury or something. Geology gets more exciting as you get higher level and start to see how everything connects. I'm currently trying to understand the line of calderas in Kyushu. My "specialty" is the volcano Sakurajima because I visit there a lot. Nothing to get you excited like a volcano that erupts nearly every day!
1 person likes this

@JudyEv (381760)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Jun 20
This would all be a new experience for me. I hope it goes well for the students.
@Lavanya15 (12888)
• Chennai, India
1 Jun 20
This type of activities really helps kids thinking power and possible to show their talents too..
Hope this project complete successfully.. I am also waiting for your next about highlights of this project.. Hope soon I read this too.





