Independent Senior Project - Garrison Forest School, Inc.
Independent Senior Project
The Garrison Forest School Independent Senior Project (ISP) has been a Senior tradition since 1969. It gives the student a learning experience in a field of their choice. Project options include either an internship/job shadow experience or an independent research project.
The ISP Committee oversees the program and grants final approval of proposals. Each senior is assigned a GFS faculty mentor who supports the student throughout the project. For students taking part in an internship, they must also have an on-site mentor who supervises their daily work.
At the conclusion of ISP, seniors give a 10-minute presentation, with slides, to members of the Garrison Forest community summarizing their experience and what they learned.
The ISP Committee oversees the program and grants final approval of proposals. Each senior is assigned a GFS faculty mentor who supports the student throughout the project. For students taking part in an internship, they must also have an on-site mentor who supervises their daily work.
At the conclusion of ISP, seniors give a 10-minute presentation, with slides, to members of the Garrison Forest community summarizing their experience and what they learned.
Questions?
Contact Janice Bogdan, Associate Director of College Counseling, at
janicebogdan@gfs.org
or (410) 559-3159.
What types of projects can be done to fulfill the ISP?
What are some examples of previous ISPs?
What are the exact expectations of the ISP?
What is the ISP timeline?
For the
internship/job shadow
, a student can explore many different types of occupations or fields. Students have worked in finance, medicine/healthcare, the arts, the non-profit sector, and more.
For the
independent research project
, a student may explore just about any topic that is appropriate for an academic setting. They should take advantage of this opportunity to research a topic or learn a new skill they have been curious about but, until now, have not had the opportunity or time to devote to exploring!
In recent years, here are just some of the locations where GFS students have completed
ISP internships/job shadows
T. Rowe Price
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Everyman Theatre
Baltimore City Department of Equity and Human Rights
Aberdeen IronBirds
Baltimore City Police Dept. Forensic Science Division
BRPH: Architecture, Design, Engineering & Construction
Baltimore State's Attorney's Office
Marion DuPont Scott Equine Medical Center
Here are some recent examples of GFS students'
independent research project
topics:
Emotion Mimicking Nature, Shown Through Photography
Biodiversity in the Chesapeake Bay
Ethics of Exotic Animal Cafes
Imagineering Disney Hotel Architecture
Fiber Art in Fashion
Investigating Discriminatory Practices in the Field of Medicine
For 2026, students are expected to dedicate approximately 56 hours to their ISP, over the eight day period. This includes time for daily journaling as well as time to put together their final presentation;
Students will keep a daily journal reflecting on their activities and what they are learning;
Students cannot receive compensation for their ISP;
A student's on-site ISP mentor cannot be a parent/guardian or sibling;
It is suggested that students have a back-up plan in case their ISP falls through.
Fall:
College Counseling begins talking about ISP with seniors and their families.
January:
GFS Faculty Mentors are paired with seniors.
February:
Seniors should be securing their ISP's, with the assistance of College Counseling and their GFS Faculty Mentors.
March 27:
ISP Proposal is due to the ISP Committee
May 4:
Parent Agreement Form and ISP On-Site Mentor Form due.
May 18 - 28:
Seniors conduct their ISP's
June 3:
Seniors meet with their GFS Faculty Mentors to review their presentations.
June 4:
ISP presentations
US