1. Annapolis High School Parent Information Meeting March 22
Personal Project
Annapolis High School
Parent Information Meeting
March 22

2. By the end of our meeting I will:
Explain the basics of the Personal Project
Clarify the new timeline and deadlines (calendar)
Explain how you can support your IB student
Preview upcoming digital/hard copy resources

3. What is the Personal Project?
The aims of Personal Project are to encourage and enable students to:
participate in a sustained, self-directed inquiry within a global context
generate creative new insights and develop deeper understandings through in- depth investigation
demonstrate the skills, attitudes and knowledge required to complete a project over an extended period of time
communicate effectively in a variety of situations
demonstrate responsible action through, or as a result of, learning
appreciate the process of learning and take pride in their accomplishments.

7. What does that look like?
an original work of art or showcase
a written piece of work on a special topic
an original science experiment
an invention
a developed business plan
a special event
develop a new student or community organization
organizing and running a fundraiser for a local charity/church/organization
designing a website
Explain to parents that there is no limit on student choice, but the goal is that whatever their student chooses to pursue it will challenge them, make them think, question and grow as a global learner.

8. How will your student get started?
They will choose a topic or something they are very interested in
They will find a Personal Project Supervisor (someone who is NOT a family member or friend, preferably a teacher at AHS, but it can be someone related to their P.P. interest)
The will create a Process Journal. (This can be digital or hardcopy.) The PJ will be a place where they capture their brainstorming, planning, research, drafts, images, sketches, calculations, reflections, notes, etc.
They will need approximately 15 FULL PAGE process journal entries.
They will begin brainstorming/planning their Personal Project
They will conduct initial research to better understand their PP topic, gather more information needed, find contacts/experts and other necessary resources.
Explain to parents that the majority of this can start now at home and at school with their help, but that at the beginning of April when the PP is kicked-off they will have time in their English class to work through some of these initial steps.

9. Personal Project
Process Journal Examples

10. Revised Timeline Kick-off/Launch
mi-April (initial class time, approx. 2-3 class periods)
Pre-Summer Check-in (late May/early June)
We will check in with students to ensure they have done the following
Chosen a topic
Found a supervisor
Conducted initial brainstorming/planning and research
Created a plan of action
Summer
Students will be asked to use as much of their summer time to work on their Personal Project. Because each student needs to tackle their PP in their own way, they will need to devote time and energy to working on their product/outcome over the summer.
Continue creating Process Journals
If at all possible, meet with their supervisor.
Back to School
We will check-in with students again to see what they accomplished over summer break and to review their Process Journals
Students will be encouraged to meet with their supervisors to go over what they completed and work on next steps
Late Fall/Early Winter
Up until Thanksgiving Break, students will have time to continue working on their PP (actual product/outcome, Process Journals, begin their Written Report). Ideally, students should be done with their project by the end of October.
WINTER BREAK – From Nov. to Dec., students will have time (and need to) create their Written Report. This comprehensive packet will be what is submitted to IB and is due the WEEK BEFORE Winter Break.
Revised Timeline
Explain to parents that everything will be housed on Google through a Google Classroom, Website and Drive. Through the Google Site, parents will have access to all resources and documents and calendar their students will. Explain to parents that students will be working primarily through Google so they can work on their project wherever they are and they are less likely to lose the files. Additionally, tell them everything will be submitted digitally to me through Google at the time of final submission.

11. How can you support your IB student?
Time Management
Review timelines
Make additional reminders, calendars, etc.
Help provide and find time to your student to work on their Personal Project
Become knowledgeable
Ask questions!!
Review all materials (digital and hardcopy) with your student
Google site
Personal Project Packet
Google Calendar
Be their cheerleader!
Offer your help and support whenever you can
Check in with them throughout the process
Go into more detail for those bullet points.

12. Questions? Angela Speach, IB MYP Coordinator aspeach@aacps.org
ext. 327
AHS Personal Project Google Site
project/home