Have you ever wanted to build a musical instrument OR learn to cook signature dishes from your family's culture?

Do you have a secret passion to write a play OR train for a half marathon?  

Do you want to learn more about a social justice problem and share information to make the world a better place?  

Now is your chance! 

The Personal Project is an opportunity for you to undertake an independent and age-appropriate exploration into an area of your own personal interest.  It is your project to do what you want to do and to show the skills you have developed during  your years of learning both inside and outside of school.  

The Personal Project is a piece of individual work required of all 10th grade students at Decatur High School. You will work on this project for an extended period of time (about 25 hours), so it needs to be something you really want to do.

The Personal Project is an opportunity for you to: 

• explore an interest that is personally meaningful 

• take ownership of your learning by undertaking a self-directed inquiry 

• develop and apply skills in pursuit of a learning goal and the creation of a product

• recognize and evidence personal growth and development

Whatever type of Personal Project you decide on, it should:

• be based on a topic to which you are committed

• reflect your special interests, hobbies, special abilities, or concerns about particular issues

• include two interrelated goals: a learning goal and a product goal

• be the result of your initiative, creativity, and ability to organize and plan

• be entirely your own work—authenticity is very important and you will be required to sign a document stating that the Personal Project is your own work.

Your project must not:

• be submitted as an assignment or project in any of your other classes

• take over your whole personal and social life, nor interfere with your studies