Inspiration and Mini-Project Idea Critiques

STARTER
Inspiration! Action Project Inspiration from class of 2018
Pick 2-3 of the following model projects listed below then answer the questions further down. Ideally the projects you choose should be most related to the type of action project you’re considering or at least just sounds interesting. On the linked website above, find the student’s name, read about the student’s project description and the title of their thesis paper (read the abstract if you want/have time). Watch any videos that may be there.  

1. Economics: Ben Malone
2. Community Event/Experience: Lily Bisantz-Grace-Maya B.
3. Writing: Kaitlin Dunn
4. Buildy (Skate ramp) Lilah Gutt
5. Film: Will Klumpenhower
6. Art: Claire Leffler
7. Poetry: Quinn Luthy
8. Fashion Design and Branding: E. Rivera
9. Economic Internship: Izzy Simpson

STARTER: Answer these questions:

1. How closely linked is the thesis paper to the action project?
2. What stands out about this project that makes it a model project?
3. What questions do you have about the projects-- think about the process the students had to go through, not just the actual final product.

AGENDA
Opening Conversation (15 minutes) 
Share where you are with members of your group, have a quick discussion about each person’s ideas.  (This should take about 15 minutes or so)

1. What ideas do you have?
2. How confident are you about your…
   • Project idea
   • Research question
3. Where do you need feedback from Ashley and peers?
4. Share out some cool ideas from your group with the class- call someone out for their awesome research question or project idea

​Let's look at a couple example thesis research questions

1. TO WHAT EXTENT DOES THE SEXUALIZATION OF YOUNG GIRLS AND WOMEN IN WESTERN CULTURE PERPETUATE SEXUAL VIOLENCE?
2. HOW HAS MINERAL EXTRACTION ON THE COLORADO PLATEAU AFFECTED THE NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES WHO LIVE THERE?
   
3. WHAT ARE THE MAJOR THEORIES OF HAPPINESS AND WHICH THEORY LEADS TO A MORE FULFILLING LIFE? 
   
4. WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL FUTURE ROLES OF BLOCKCHAIN-BASED CRYPTOCURRENCIES IN THE ECONOMY?​
   

Critique Protocol (25 minutes)

1. 3 minutes: Write your research question and project idea on a piece of 8.5 x 11 paper.  Hang it on the wall, or put it on your desk.
2. 20 minutes: Go around with post it notes.  You need to comment on at least 5 other projects, but if you have time, do more than 5.  Use the whole 20 minutes that’s given. Post its can…
   1. Ask questions
   2. Share critical feedback
   3. Suggest revisions/changes
   4. Call out strengths
3. 2-3 minutes: Grab your project paper and feedback.  Sit down. On back of paper, jot down some thoughts based on the feedback you received-- where do you think you need to go with your research question and your project idea? What research do you need to do?

Work Time!

1. Senior Project TPS Report (DUE Monday, beginning of class)
2. If you’re solid with your ideas, start work on your presentation and slides
3. If you’re not solid, you could…
   1. Sign up for a conference with Ashley
   2. Get together with a group of other students and brainstorm/bounce ideas
   3. Talk to other students about what they’re doing, and see if that sparks ideas
   4. Talk to other teachers about cool projects they’ve seen before