1. The MYP Personal Project
Connect, Inspire, Challenge, Make a Difference

2. What is the Personal Project?
An independent, culminating project in the MYP in which students use skills in research, analysis, and reflection
An opportunity to engage in inquiry into a subject which is personally relevant

3. Objectives
A: Investigating
B: Planning
C: Taking Action
D: Reflecting

4. Objective A: Investigating
Students should
define a clear goal and context for the project, based on personal interests
identify prior learning and subject specific knowledge relevant to the project
demonstrate research skills

5. Objective B: Planning develop criteria for the product/outcome
plan and record the development process for the project
demonstrate self-management skills

6. Objective C: Taking Action
create a product/outcome in response to the goal, context, and criteria
demonstrate thinking skills
demonstrate communication and social skills

7. Objective D: Reflecting
evaluate the quality of the product/outcome against the criteria
reflect on how completing the project has extended knowledge and understanding of the topic and the global context
reflect on development as IB learner through the project

8. Components
The product
The process journal
The report

9. Choosing a topic and defining a goal
Pick a topic of personal interest!
Choose a global context
Define a challenging, achievable goal

10. Global Contexts: Igniting Student Inquiry
Identities and Relationships
Orientation in Space and Time
Personal and Cultural Expression
Scientific and Technical Innovation
Globalization and Sustainability
Fairness and Development

11. Consider these questions as you choose a global context:
What do I want to achieve through my personal project?
What do I want others to understand through my work?
What impact do I want my project to have?
How can a specific context give greater purpose to my project?

12. Identities and Relationships Raising awareness about bullying
Global Context
Topic/Project idea
Challenging Goal
Identities and Relationships
Raising awareness about bullying
Create a narrative film narrative about bullying
Show it to a class and hold a discussion forum
Personal and Cultural Expression
Hip Hop Dance
Choreograph a dance and teach a class
Globalization and Sustainability
Coral Reefs
Work with marine biologists studying the impact on coral reefs
product: ibook

13. Products Electronic: ibook, film, podcast, website, blog
Service oriented action: teach a class, develop a service project, coach a sport
Build/create something: Write a book, create an app, make a piece of art, build something
Live presentation or event: Organize a charity event, teach a class, make a presentation

14. Developing Criteria Aesthetics Function Cost Materials Size/Content
User/Audience
Impact
Environmental Considerations

15. More on Criteria Students will…
Develop a set of criteria
Make a rubric
Use the criteria to assess the product when complete

16. Research A research based project!
Variety of Resources: primary and secondary
Articles, interviews, surveys, books, films, etc.
Documentation is required and assessed
WAB library staff and teachers are ready to assist

17. The Process Journal
Documents the process throughout all stages of the project
Kept on the WAB grade ten blogs
A place to record reflections, ideas, problems, and successes
A record of research, images, sources, actions
A major part of the final assessment

18. Reporting the project Written or Oral (recorded)
Demonstrates the students’ learning and experiences throughout the project
Developed after the completion of the product

19. Approaches to Learning ATL skills will be documented throughout the project
collaboration
transfer
critical thinking
organization
creative thinking
reflection
information literacy
communication
media literacy

20. Submitting the Report
When submitting the report for assessment, students must include:
• the personal project coversheet
• the completed academic honesty form
• process journal extracts
• any supporting visual aids used during the presentation, if applicable
• MLA Works Cited

21. Personal Project Component How it is Assessed
Focus on a Product leading towards a product/outcome
Evident in the Presentation/Report
Process Journal
A selection of extracts in appendices of the report
Report
The content of the report assessed using all four criteria

22. Supervisors: student expectations
establish a weekly meeting time
always be on time
if you have to miss a meeting, notify the teacher in advance
communicate over and on the blog

23. The Role of the Supervisor
Advise and guide on the process (facilitate)
Meet regularly with you
Help you meet deadlines
Provide feedback throughout the process
Report on Gradebook
Mark the project (in conjunction with a team of teachers)
Not required to be an expert (you may contact others as well)

24. Timeline August-September : develop an idea, do preliminary research
September-October: write goal statement, develop criteria, continue research
November-January: take action, create product
Product due: January 22, 2015
Report due: March 6, 2015
Personal Project Exhibition: April 2015

25. Personal Project Help Sessions Mondays after school Thursdays at lunch Library Study Room Mrs Glittenberg Personal Project Coordinator