MYP Personal Project Narrowing Things Down

2014-2015 School Year

Carl Schurz High School

At this point…

• You provided three potential topics.• Based on those topics, we paired you up with

a mentor.• You received your Process Journal. Entries 2-

3 times a week. Ideas, questions, reflections• Reviewed(and signed) the entire Personal

Project Student Handbook

Moving Forward• Personal Project Topic Notification Form• DUE WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8th (or sooner) to

Ms. Stefl and Mrs. Casanova via English classes (Ms. Dunlea) for a grade.

• You CANNOT choose a completely different topic after submitting this form!

• Mrs. Casanova and I will be reviewing, providing feedback, and giving you FINAL approval.

Proposed Topic

• Why did you select this topic?• Personal connection?• Something you want to study in college?• Something you want to try or experience at

some point your life?

Global Context• Starting point for inquiry! Provides the real world

connections.• Consider the following before making this selection:

– What do you want to achieve through your project?– What do you want others to understand through your

project?– What impact do you want your project to have?

* Take some time to look through all of the Global Contexts and SELECT ONE and explain the connection.

Global Context Examples

Global context ExamplesIdentity and relationships Examine the question, “Why does rap speak to me?”Orientation of space and time Explore the development of rap as a style of music across continentsPersonal and cultural expression Perform a rap song for peers and have a question-and-answer

session

Global context ExamplesScientific and technical innovation Design a 3D model of a solar device with instructions for constructionOrientation of space and time Investigate how, in history, different cultures have made use of

energy for different needsGlobalization and sustainability Debate Herve’ Kempf’s ideas about “how the rich are destroying the

Earth”

Rap as a music genre

Solar energy devices

Statement of PurposeI want to learn about…

• To write a statement of purpose, think about and answer a couple of these questions as best you can:– What is my real interest in the topic?– What knowledge do you hope to acquire?– What skills do you want to develop?– What do you specifically want to learn about my

topic?

Statement of PurposeI want to learn about…

Too general…

“I want to learn more about recycling and earth friendly materials.”

Much better…

“I want to learn about how earth friendly materials are used in surfboards.”

Purpose Driving Question

“I want to learn about how earth friendly materials are used in surfboards.”

•Driving question:

What materials can surfboard designers use to ensure that the future surfboards are friendly to

the environment?

Therefore…

Product:

A newly designed surf-board

Paper:

What materials can surfboard designers use to ensure that the future surfboards are friendly to the environment?

Another example…Statement of Purpose

Too general…

“I want to learn about AIDS.”

Much better…

“I want to know how close we are to a cure for AIDS.”

Purpose Driving Question

“I want to know how close we are to a cure for AIDS.”

•Driving question:

How close are we to the cure for AIDS?

Therefore…

Possible Product:

An information packet on AIDS and strategies people can use to lower their chances of getting the disease.

Paper:

How close are we to the cure for AIDS?

Personal Project Products

So now what???• Complete the Topic Notification Form! You cannot drastically change

your topic once this has been submitted and approved!• Turn into Ms. Dunlea on or preferably before October 8 th!• You will be getting a grade in Literature class for the completion of this

form.• Ms. Dunlea will dedicate SOME time in class if you have questions about

the topic notification form.• Keep using your process journals! • Start doing some background research. Use the Schurz website!• Oct. 2nd will be your meet and greet day!• Oct 9th you will be in the auditorium during advisory to get info on

research and how to use technology

How are you feeling?

• Please put your name on a post it note and place it on the thermometer scale to indicate how you are feeling at this point.

• Remember…