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 The Thoreau Project: Instructions

 “For if there is one thought I should like to leave you with as I come to the end of this speech it would be this; change is inevitable, problems will always exist, and if you are not part of the solution you are the problem.”  -- Henry David Thoreau

As I walk through the halls and around the campus all I hear most of the students talk about are all the bad things at our school. I do not see the school spirit that was once a staple here at Snowflake High School. We have problems but as Thoreau pointed out there will always be problems. Right now, all those students that are not doing something to make a difference are the problem. This project is designed to allow you to become part of the solution. 

You may have no more than four people working on the project as a group. To do this both you and your parents must sign a paper indicating that you all understand that certain conditions. If you want to work as a group see me for the paper. No one will be allowed to work as a group unless they have a signed paper from your parents and each member of the group.

Step One:       Look around the school and discover a problem you wish to affect and in 100 to 200 words describe the problem. 100 pts

Step Two:       Preliminary Research. You must in some way determine if it is just your perception or if others in the school agree with your idea of what exactly the problem is. You will  present your findings and if need be rewrite the problem statement in step one. You will save this as it will become part of your prospectus for the end presentation. (If your findings are that the problem does not exist or is not in need of a solution or is not solvable then you must start from the beginning.) 100pts.

Step Three:    Research possible solutions. You must have a minimal of five resources. For this step you will look at the problem and possible solutions. This will result in a report on the problem you propose to solve. This section of the prospectus is called a Review of Literature. In a paper of not more than 1200 words discuss the different solutions and any important information you have found concerning the problem and possible solutions. This section should include a work-cited page. 200 pts.

Step Four:       Formulate a possible solution. In 100 words not to exceed 500 words explicitly describe the solution your are proposing. You need not discuss how you will do this but you must describe the solution and make a case for how it will solve the problem. 100 pts Step Five:       The Plan. For this phase you will discover and outline every phase of the solution.This includes adherence to school rules or changes that might need to be proposed. You must comply with the law. You must provide a financial outline with prices if there is need for one. You must answer the who, what, where, when, and how for the proposal. You must discuss how it will be implemented and provide a time schedule. In short, we should be able to move form your prospectus to implementation of your plan. Failure to consider any aspect of the project would result in a bad grade. 800pts.

Step Six:         Abstract. You will need to write and abstract for the project. 50pts

Step Seven.    Putting together the prospectus. This is a book that will be given to each member of   the committee that will hear your project. The following order must be adhered to before a project will be sent to the committee for review. If the prospectus is not done by the time of your presentation deadline, you will not present and cannot receive an “A” on the project.  720pts.

Prospectus

                        Cover Sheet

                         Abstract

                        Table of Contents

                        The Problem

                        The Review of Literature

                        The Solution

                        The Plan

                        Conclusion

                        Work Cited

                        All Appendixes (charts, survey copies, etc..)

                        Must be double spaced

                        Pages number upper right hand corner

                        Must 12 pt Times New Roman Font

                        Must be bound in some way (can be done in copy center)

                        Should have a hard cover and hard backing (can be done in copy center)

                        Must have nine copies (one for me, five for each member of the committee, one for                                each of you).

                        Should be perfect in every aspect

Step Eight:      The Presentation. You will prepare a presentation complete with charts, visual aides, models, etc. for your presentation to a committee made up of members of the community, the school, and peers. Your final grade will depend on the grade given to you by those that are serving on that committee.  600pts. (You will receive a “O” if you do not present.)