Maynard High School seniors are all involved in a capstone project each year with multiple elements. The main objective is to help the next generation of workers develop some real workplace expectations and skills. Along with mock interviews and research project presentations, there is a requirement to complete a community placement of 20–25 hours. This placement should connect them with a professional environment, give a real-world challenge, and lead to a final project they can present and reflect on.

Sometimes placements in a job shadow environment or internships are difficult to get for all students. This year the school community based advisory group is looking to add a modified approach to making this a more immersive and achievable goal in the short time seniors have to accomplish their entire project. So the Senior Project Advisory group is asking for volunteers to partner with a student or two to help guide them on a placement plan to initiate and execute their chosen project, but with a template to help them hit periodic milestones.

Interested volunteers please email Jean LaBelle-Pierce at [email protected]

Core Idea

Every student community placement placement should:

• Connect to a professional environment (bank, hospital, nonprofit, school, business, trades, government, etc.).
• Collaborate with and establish working relationships.
• Give the student a clear challenge/project tied to that field.
• Require both preparation and follow-up (research, reflection, presentation).
• Produce a tangible deliverable (report, plan, presentation, prototype, or portfolio entry).

A Few Project Placement Plan Examples by student field of interest

Arts & Media

• Placement: Local newspaper, radio station, museum, gallery, or theater.
• Project Example: Create a short documentary or podcast episode on a local issue or highlight an artist.
• Deliverable: A 3–5 minute podcast/video or gallery exhibit write-up.

Healthcare / Human Services

• Placement: Local hospital, doctor’s office, community health clinic, eldercare center, or genetic counseling practice.
• Project Example 1: Shadow a healthcare worker, then design a patient-education pamphlet (e.g., nutrition tips, mental health awareness, healthy habits for teens).
• Deliverable 1: A health education resource for patients or peers.
• Project Example 2 (Genetic Counseling): Meet with a genetic counselor and role-play a session with a family whose child was recently diagnosed with a rare disease. The student researches the condition, practices explaining it in lay terms, and prepares supportive resources for the family.
• Deliverable 2: A written family-friendly information guide and a reflection on the counseling process.

Education & Youth Programs

• Placement: Elementary school classroom, after-school program, YMCA, or tutoring center.
• Project Example: Develop and run a 1-hour interactive lesson (science demo, art activity, sports clinic).
• Deliverable: Lesson plan + reflection.

Trades & Skilled Labor

• Placement: Construction company, mechanic’s shop, landscaping business, or local electrician.
• Project Example: Assist in a small build/repair, then create a safety protocol or a “how-to” project guide for future interns.
• Deliverable: Documented build process, safety checklist, or a visual portfolio.

And quite a few others

What the Project Should Look Like

1. Problem / Task: Mentor assigns or student defines
2. Research: Student gathers information, develops ideas, applies classroom knowledge
3. Execution: Student tests, builds, or drafts a solution
4. Presentation: Student presents to placement supervisor + class
5. Reflection: Student ties experience back to personal goals, “Vision of the Graduate,” and professional skills

Ways to Help Students Succeed

– Menu of placements: Provide a list of volunteer community partners by field (finance, health, trades, arts, etc.).
– Project templates: Give students a ‘Placement Project Plan’ sheet where they fill in:

• Placement site
• Mentor/community partner name
• Problem/Task to solve
• Deliverable format (presentation, paper, video, etc.)
• Timeline (20–25 hrs)
• Weekly or a mid-placement check-in with mentor as needed

Interested volunteers please email Jean LaBelle-Pierce at:

[email protected]