Selecting your Project
After the pre-approval, creating a formal proposal is the first and most significant step. A solid proposal is more likely to be approved by the committee and more likely to be successful.
Considering you are about to invest several months in your project, selecting an appropriate topic of interest may feel intimidating. Keep the following recommendations in mind when narrowing down what your project will be:
1. Choose a topic you are passionate about. This may be the most important criterion. You will be spending considerable time with this project; your quality of life will be more satisfying if these hours are spent enjoyably. Additionally, the quality of your research, writing, and other work will be better if you feel genuine passion. Choose a project you find both fascinating and significant.
2. Consider picking a project that will be helpful in your career path. If your goal is an academic career, choose a topic that can be easily modified into journal articles or a book lending itself well to future research. If you want to be a teacher, consider a topic you can use in the classroom. If you are going into industry, select a topic that will make you more marketable. Ask yourself this, “How will my project sound when I discuss it at a future career interview?” Do your research and find a project that fits into the standards established by the state yet builds upon those standards and expands them.
3. Choose a project that is unique. Complete significant research to make sure this topic has not been done before. Be creative and choose an idea that is original and innovative. Think carefully before you choose a controversial project. This does not mean you should avoid areas that spark your interest. However, if you choose a controversial project, think carefully about how it may affect future employment or publishing opportunities.
4. Pick a topic about which you already have some expertise. Previously acquired knowledge will provide a foundation for your project, giving you an advantage in your research and project completion. Take related knowledge from your coursework and writing assignments that will reflect and contribute to your project.
5. Pick a manageable topic. This is a big project that requires devotion, but it is not your life's work. A good project advisor will help you narrow and refine your topic and encourage realistic timelines.
6. Consultation and approval of a topic with a teacher who is willing to act as your project advisor is required before moving forward. If you are not ready to make a definite project proposal, decide on a general area of interest in which you would like to pursue research. Within this area of interest, seek out people and research materials that provide direction towards a specific project.
The Project Proposal
Your proposal should be clear, concise and well-planned, avoiding misdirection. Project proposals are not open-ended. There must be a product, result, or accomplishment. Your proposal is the foundation of your entire project; the more thorough your plan, the fewer problems there will be in your process. As much as 50 percent of the total time you spend on your project will be spent planning.
Preparation of your research proposal should be subjected to constant revision. You should rely on constructive comment and criticism by your project advisor and committee members. Actively seek expert opinion on your proposal; it is far better to develop a viable project at the start than begin project that proves to be unrealistic after you put time and effort into it. You should continue with your research, discussions with experts and exploratory work until you are absolutely confident about your project. Your proposal should constitute a clear, crisp definition of your project, including your purpose of study, main objectives, and potential limitations.
The project proposal should contain a brief, precise statement of exactly what you want to do and how you propose to do it. Keep in mind that the proposal should be approximately 2-4 pages in length. Do not expect your project adviser and other committee members to consult any other documents to obtain a clear idea of your project. As you begin writing your proposal, ask yourself the following questions:
1. How can I develop a proposal that shows imagination and intellectual quality?
2. How do I state the problem clearly?
3. Can I write hypotheses or research questions that are clear, unambiguous and can be explored?
4. Are my objectives clearly stated? Can they be accomplished?
5. How will I show that my project accomplishes the goals I set and meets the standards I need for credit?
6. Is my project trying to do too much? If it is, what would make it more manageable?
Requirements
A project proposal provides your project advisor and committee a clear idea of what you intend to do. You need to demonstrate to your committee the significance of your project and the way you plan to meet school standards. Depending on the type of project you select, you may need to define exactly what you intend to do and when you plan to do it. You will also need to explain what kind of time and resources you will need to be successful. For a complete idea of what you will need to do, see the example templates and the samples proposals.
Your proposal should be a compelling and concise statement of your intended project. Limit your proposal to 2-5 pages.
Appendix B: Project Proposal form
Project Summary:
1. Write a brief, precise statement of exactly what your project will produce.
2. Write down exactly what you will do. Tell about your process.
3. Describe what you will learn.
4. List people who can help you. This should include all four of your committee members plus at least one other person.
5. Describe how you will prove what you have learned.
Project Readiness:
1. Describe what you have done in your life experience/academic career to prepare for this project.
2. List the academic classes have you completed that will make you successful in the academic activities that you are proposing.
3. Cite previous grades or tests scores that would give indication of your success on this project. Cite work that you have done in the past that shows your commitment to quality work.
4. List all resources that you will need to be successful. This should include all tools, books and other materials needed to complete the project. If you need money, supply an estimate of how much you will need and what you will buy. From whom are you planning to get funding?
Detailed project description:
Activities:
List and describe what you plan to do. Use a template like the one below.
List your activities and how many hours you plan to spend doing that activity. Use a table like the one below.
Learning Objectives and measures:
List and describe what you propose to learn in a table like this one (see full examples in Appendix C):
You can find state standards at: http://www.oregon.gov/ode/educator-resources/standards/Pages/default.aspx
Use Common Core Standards for Language Arts and Mathematics.
Share your time log with your project advisor and parents. Keep track with a table like the one below.