SV teens tackle Senior Projects

Completing a Senior Project is a ritual, and a graduation requirement, for every senior at Sonoma Valley High School. As part of the semester-long assignment, students are expected to write a related research paper and present a public presentation about the project. So how’s it going? The Sun’s Sarah Ford checks in.

Alyssa Schimm

How did you get the idea for your STEM-centered Senior Project?

Being part of the Engineering, Design, and Technology Academy at the high school exposed me to incredible opportunities in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. Sophomore year was really the first time I became familiar with these fields and all the resources that SVHS has to offer. I wanted my Senior Project to allow young students to discover their passion in STEM fields earlier that I did. If someone says they work in STEM they could be anything from a software engineer to a marine biologist.

Tell me about your Project.

It consists of advising the Girls in STEM Club at Adele Harrison Middle School. We meet twice a month and I organize fun, creative, and informative lessons. This spring, I’ll host three Saturday workshops open to all students in grade four through eight. Throughout these workshops the students will have challenges and will produce a capstone project using the resources in the SVHS Maker Lab.

Did you feel there was a need for this?

There is a blatant gender gap in STEM fields. In all the STEM events and programs I’m involved in, I’m often the only woman present. This problem has affected me first-hand. I want to inspire girls to continue with STEM fields in high school and beyond, in order to close this daunting gender gap.

Are you a STEM-oriented student?

Yes. I have always loved science and math. At first I enjoyed these subjects, but now I realize my passion is in these subjects. My interest deepened after my first year in the high school Engineering Academy.

Tell me about your research paper.

My paper was titled “Women in STEM: The Positive Impacts of Involving More Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Fields.”

Who is your Mentor?

Wendy Swanson, the Work-Based Learning Coordinator at SVHS. She is fantastic and so supportive in everything I do.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Sign-ups for the STEM Sessions will be available via Google Form at the beginning of March if anyone is interested!

Dominic Tomassi

Tell us about your Senior Project

My senior project is to help design the Dragon Haven in the empty classrooms of G5 and G7 at the high school. The Dragon Haven will be a safe space on campus where students can find emotional support from counselors, a place for forums and small groups to gather, and a location for all students to relax and find relief from the many stresses of life. I am designing the room with murals, student art, interactive elements, and mobile furniture to inspire relaxation and allow the room to serve multiple purposes for the benefit of students.

How did you get the idea?

I got the idea when Principal Hawing explained to me the possibility of an open room, and also from my mentor. I had experienced some tough times last year and I felt a room like this could benefit all students who confront so many obstacles in their daily lives. I hope this room will be that space for the many students to come.

What is your research paper about?

My research paper is on shock trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and their effects on the human brain, as well as the standard in treatment for these metal illnesses. I researched how first responders and military veterans are treated by counselors and the medical theory on Trauma Management Training.

Who is your mentor?

My mentor is Vanessa Rognlien, a very active and involved parent in Sonoma Valley schools. She has really helped me create the vision for the room.

What do you aim to accomplish through your Senior Project?

I hope to create a room that students feel comfortable in and want to spend time in. If I can help even one student get support, then I will have accomplished everything this room is meant to do. I want to learn how to design, to fundraise, to study human habits and interaction in order to make a space that naturally draws people in and is equipped with everything needed to be of support to all kinds of needs.

Anything else you’d like to add?

We will do a grand opening soon, date TBA.

Read more profiles from our continuing series:

John Rolston and Sebastian Acosta

Jensen Hedley and Noemi Martinez

Jenna Ebert and Miriam Nolazco

Luci Palmer, Harim Lopez, Kohana Bowman and Karen Torres