1. MYP Personal Project
Narrowing Things Down
2014-2015 School Year
Carl Schurz High School
2. 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
3. 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.
4. 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?
5. 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.
6. Global Context Examples
Global context Examples
Identity 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 continents
Personal and cultural expression Perform a rap song for peers and have a question-and-answer
session
Global context Examples
Scientific and technical innovation Design a 3D model of a solar device with instructions for construction
Orientation of space and time Investigate how, in history, different cultures have made use of
energy for different needs
Globalization and sustainability Debate Herve’ Kempf’s ideas about “how the rich are destroying the
Earth”
Rap as a music genre
Solar energy devices
7. Statement of Purpose
I 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?
8. Statement of Purpose
I 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.”
9. 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?
10. 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?
11. 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.”
12. 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?
13. 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?
15. 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 8th!
• 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
16. 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…
