The projects and products for this institute serve two purposes. First, they are your innovations that should be designed to better the education that your students receive in the coming years. Second, they should serve as models of excellent instruction that other teachers can adopt, adapt, or accentuate so as to better the education that their students receive. As such, your projects should be well grounded in educational theory and practice, as well as utilize the far-reaching potential of proven and/or emerging technologies. As Merit participants, you were selected among numerous applicants for your technical as well as instructional skills. The expectations on your projects and products is high, as is your potential. Likewise, the rewards, intrinsic and extrinsic are high as well.

The Big Two:
The following major projects are expected by day 10 of the summer institute (all may be "works-in-progress", but should reflect the hours of work-time invested):

1. A 'project plan', documented in a google site or pb wiki, that describes most-to-all of the aspects of the curricular project that you will be implementing.  This does not need to be complete, but should be extensive enough that you are fully invested in implementing the project during the school year, and that other teachers viewing your project plan will get a clear picture of what the project involves and teaches for purposes of replication.  Sections and contents are posted at http://sites.google.com/site/projecttemplate/
   
2. A project poster that describes, displays, and/or supports your project.  The audience of this may be your students, parents, or colleagues.

The Yearlong Requirements:
To further extend, enhance and support your utilization and integration of technology into instruction there are some post institute requirements.  Your completion of the following will earn you the $1500 stipend. 

1. Implement your project with students during the school year.
2. Submit your project to the California Student Media Festival (www.mediafestival.org)
3. Take three of the four specified FastTech classes during Fall quarter. 

4. Attendance at a professional conference, workshop, or training that involves technology. Total hours = 6.  Please log your hours here.
5. Take one class in Winter 2010
6. Serve as a mentor to other teacher(s), document your time together, and submit the mentor form (see attachment below).