It’s not just about coming up with an idea; it’s putting that idea into something tangible, and then explaining it to not only teachers, but fellow students and the public.

And, just for fun, it’s an Idaho state requirement for graduation. Yes, it’s the senior project and ten students from Lake Pend Oreille High School presented their diverse assignments last week.

“Seniors have eight weeks to come up with their project, write a proposal and research paper,” explained social studies teacher, Luke Childers. “It’s open to what they want to do. We stress that it needs career scope but it should be something they’re interested in.”

Childers said that students are expected to reach out to the community to find resources, hold interviews, to shadow jobs and to utilize any resources available to them in order to put their best foot forward.

“This gives them exposure to many people they wouldn’t have met otherwise. It’s also about problem solving. I ask them, ‘how are you going to solve that?’” he said.

Students from other grades are expected to view the work of at least three students. The scorecard gives them the chance to give marks ranging from one to four in the following areas:

1. Presenter is dressed in business casual attire (slacks, or skirt, button up shirt, no hat or sweatshirt) or dressed to match their project.

2. Presenter’s presentation board is neat and orderly with pictures and wording which creates a clear picture of their project.

3. Presenter has spoken clearly with eye contact and refers to their presentation board and project to explain their project.

4. Presenter is well-prepared and has a deep knowledge of their project’s subject matter.

And, finally students are asked to judge their overall opinion of the presenter’s project and to make comments.

Subject matters varied greatly. There were presentations on creating happiness to prevent mental illness, all about aviation, a website designed to streamline online sales and shipping, becoming a diesel mechanic and all about horse training.

One student, Zeya Martin, learned all about the different types of wood necessary to make her Do it Yourself Skateboard. Working with her woodworking father as mentor, Martin learned how to ply seven layers of thin veneer into a form that would press them into the future board.

“I spent about seven weeks, one or two days a week, working on this,” Martin said. “I learned a bunch of power tools and all about glues.”

Leilani Henry’s presentation was about becoming a veterinary technician. “I have a passion for helping dogs and cats,” she said. “I want to pursue this after high school.”

Parenting styles and how they affect child development was a segment of Madison McNall’s project which was titled Early Development Psychology.

“I love working with children, and I’m interested in going into social work,” she said.

Everyone ate up Kendell Kurrus’ presentation. Literally. Her project, called Pastry Thru the Ages, not only displayed the history of baked goods, she prepared rolls with cinnamon and savory pasties for observers to enjoy. Perhaps a career in culinary arts is in her future.

Besides Martin, Henry, McNall and Kurrus, also presenting were Madison Abeyta, Micah Holub, Alixandria Lambert, Tucker Owens, X Peck and Kobe Tallon.