Julius West Middle School
and
Richard Montgomery High School
International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme
Personal Project
Student Booklet #1
Developing Your Topic
and
Writing the Proposal
Richard Montgomery High School
March 2012
What is a Personal Project?
Have you ever wanted to build a musical instrument? Do you have a secret passion to write a play? Now is
your chance! The personal project is your project to do what you want to do, to show the skills you have
developed over the years in your subjects and through approaches to learning (ATL), and to apply them to
the chosen goal that focus on dimensions of the area of interaction.
The personal project holds a place of special importance in the MYP, and so it should be clearly focused on
an issue or theme closely related to the areas of interaction.
Remember, you will be working on this project for an extended period of time, so it needs to be
something you really want to do.
Whatever type of personal project you decide on, it should:
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have a clear and achievable goal
be focused on one area of interaction
allow you to express a truly personal message
be the result of your initiative, creativity, and ability to organize and plan
reflect your special interests, hobbies, special abilities, or concerns about particular issues
deal with a topic or area to which you are committed
be entirely your own work – authenticity is very important and you may be required to sign a
document that the personal project is your own work.
Your project must not:
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be part of any assessed course work
take over your whole personal and social life, nor interfere with your studies, even though it will
involved many hours to work
be too closely linked to any specific subject.
Why do a Personal Project?
The personal project is a culminating event in your time in the MYP. During this time you will have
developed in many ways and learned about the areas of interaction. If you choose the right personal project,
it will give you the opportunity to share with others something that is of great interest to you as an individual
but that also shows some of what you have learned as a result of being in the MYP.
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What Type of Personal Project Can I Do?
Depending on your goal, you might choose one of the following types of projects:
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an original work of art (for example, visual, dramatic or performance);
a written piece of work on a special topic (for example, literary, social, psychological
or anthropological);
a piece of literary fiction (for example, creative writing);
an original science experiment;
an invention or specially designed object or system; or
the presentation of a developed business, management or organizational plan, that is, for an
entrepreneurial business or project, a special event, or the development of a new student or
community organization.
All personal projects must include a structured report, written or video.
Your grade will depend on the quality of your Personal
Project Report and that of your final product.
Your project may involve others (for example, if you are directing a play, organizing an exhibition, or
starting a new student/community organization). Remember, however, that your own contribution must be
central to the event, and clearly visible. It is your work that will be assessed.
BUY and USE a PROCESS JOURNAL!!!
The Personal Project Process Journal or Log Book
The Personal Project process journal (or log book) is required because it provides support to students. It
should be updated regularly during the development of the project, and should be used to record progress
honestly, containing thoughts, ideas, sketches (where applicable), decisions, feelings, and reflections. It
should be neatly presented, preferably in a black and white standard composition notebook or a spiral
notebook. You also have the option of keeping an electronic process journal.
The process journal or log book is a particularly useful tool for you because it will help you in the
organization of the structured piece of writing (i.e., the Personal Project Report), an important part of the
project.
You and your supervisor will use the process journal to assess your progress and to record decisions
regarding next steps, additional resources, and/or revisions needed.
So, go buy a journal. You can begin by recording what you learned today, what you learned from the
personal project fair, and everything you do in planning to submit your personal project report.
Well? What are you waiting for? Go buy your journal and write in it TODAY! 
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Since you began in the IB Middle Years Programme, you have participated in a variety of classroom, schoolwide and extra-curricular activities designed to help you develop the characteristics of an IB Learner. The
Personal Project is an opportunity for you to show us how well you can demonstrate these qualities. Please
think about this as you begin your Personal Project.
Inquirers – You are expected to select a topic about which you are curious and have questions. If you think
you already know everything you need to know in order to complete your project, then you do not have a
good idea. It may be helpful to list questions you have early on to be sure you are on the right track
Knowledgeable – You are expected to know where to find information to answer the questions you may
have about your topic and or your product. Remember, this is a research project and needs to include
primary and/or secondary sources
Thinkers- You are expected to use the knowledge you gain from your research to successfully complete
your project
Communicators – You will need to determine the best way to communicate what you have learned and
justify your choice. (e.g., scrap book, video, brochure, power point, piece of art, music, creation, event etc)
Caring – You may want to think about how your project can benefit other people and/or how it may benefit
the environment
Open-minded – You may want to think about how your project can present an opportunity for you or for
others to learn more about your own or other cultures
Risk-takers – You may want to think about how your project can present an opportunity for you to stretch
yourself and try something new or unfamiliar.
Principled – Remember that your project will provide an opportunity for you to take responsibility for your
own actions as you work to achieve your goal, as well as any consequences for the decisions you make
Balanced – Your project will definitely help you to see how well you can manage your time to be sure you
meet deadlines, while also taking care of other academic responsibilities, out of school commitments and the
need for “down time”
Reflective – Throughout your project, you will be expected to reflect on your progress, the need to make any
changes, and your personal strengths and challenges.
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The most important step you can take to assure a successful project will be to set an appropriate goal. In
fact, the majority of your project will be evaluated on the goal you select and how well you accomplish it.
The goal should clearly explain what you want to do and why you want to do it. Here are some guidelines
for you to follow.
One simple test of a good goal is to apply the A, B, C, and D’s of goal setting. Regarding the Personal
Project, here are some questions to ask:
Assessable
 How will you be able to measure whether or not you accomplished your goal?
 Is your goal specific enough to be able to measure?
Believable
 Is your project realistic?
 Can you accomplish your goal in the time you have available?
Controllable
 Do you have control over the factors required to make your project work or are you overly dependent
on others?
Desirable
 Is the goal of your project really important to you?
 Why is it important? What is the personal connection?
An Example
Use the A, B, C, D’s of goal setting to evaluate the following Personal Project goals. All are related to the
topic of tattoos. How would you rate these possible goals for a Personal Project?
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to learn about the history of tattoos;
to investigate what motivates people to get tattoos and how pleased they are with the results;
to investigate how tattoos affect others perceptions;
to learn about the health risks of tattoos and educate others by creating a brochure; or
to learn about various tattoo styles and design a tattoo for someone.
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Exercise #1:
List 3 topics you are considering for your personal project (in order of preference) and explain WHY you are
passionate about those topics.
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2.
3.
Exercise #2:
Using your topic, create two goals focused on two different Areas of Interaction, other than Approaches
to Learning. Through this exercise, you should be able to understand how your topic truly connects to ONE
area of interaction and perhaps connects to more than one. Remember: While your topic may connect to
more than one area of interaction, there should be one primary area of interaction.
Community and Service
Human Ingenuity
Environments
Health and Social Education
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Exercise #3:
Next, using the A, B, C, D’s of goal setting, assess which of the two goals best meets the criteria.
Assessable
 How will you be able to measure whether or not you accomplished your goal?
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Is your goal specific enough to be able to measure?
Believable
 Is your project realistic?
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Can you accomplish your goal in the time you have available?
Controllable
 Do you have control over the factors required to make your project work or are you overly dependent
on others?
Desirable
 Is the goal of your project really important to you?
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Why is it important? What is the personal connection?
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As you plan your project, you will need to decide which Area of Interaction will be your focus, given your particular
interest or goal. These descriptors are designed to help you connect your project and your chosen Area of Interaction
in meaningful ways. Once you determine the Area of Interaction lens you will be using, be prepared to develop this
connection in your Personal Project Report and throughout your project.
Community & Service
 How do we live in relation to each other?
 How can I contribute to my community?
 How can I help others?
Does my project connect to any of the following themes:
 an interest in today’s world;
 sensitivity to the needs in my community or the community of others;
 similarities and differences in communities;
 developing a sense of responsibility in yourself or others; or
 discovering if one person can make a difference?
Human Ingenuity
 Why and how do we create?
 What are the consequences?
Does my project connect to any of the following themes:
 the positive and/or negative consequences of creativity;
 the influence of men and women of genius;
 the impact of technology on society;
 the impact of art on society;
 the impact of literature on society;
 the impact of science on society; or
 the impact of inventions on society?
Environments
 Where do we live?
 What resources do we have or need?
 What are my responsibilities
Does my project connect to any of the following issues:
 the interdependence of humans and their environment;
 the consequences of human manipulation on or interference with the environment;
 local, regional, national or international environmental concerns; or
 pollution, conservation, population growth, water supply etc.?
Health & Social Education
 How do we think and act?
 How am I changing?
 How can I look after myself and others?
Does my project connect to any of the following topics:
 nutrition, exercise, personal hygiene, physical and mental health, leisure, alcohol, drugs, tobacco;
 emotions, adolescence, family relations, cultural identity, sexual issues, peer relations/peer pressure,
decision making, responsibility, respect for self and others;
 consumer issues, advertising, media; or
 health or legal services, safety, poverty, vandalism, delinquency?
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All projects will have an ATL focus, so it will not be the focus of your project. Speak with your supervisor
or Mr. Awono if you are confused.
Approaches to Learning
 How do I learn best?
 How do I know?
 How do I communicate my understanding?
Through completion of the Personal Project, what can I learn about my:
 responsibility - organizational skills, time management and positive attitudes towards work
 communication skills – creative writing, reading, speaking and/or listening;
 research skills – accessing information, selecting appropriate information, judging authenticity of
information, general understanding of the research process;
 reasoning skills – generating new ideas, considering issues from multiple viewpoints; or
 reflection skills – evaluating my performance realistically and using the information to change my
behavior?
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Personal Project Proposal
2012-2013
Name: _______________________________________ E-Mail Address: __________________________
Home Phone #:
___________________________________
Directions: Answer each question below as thoroughly and thoughtfully as space permits. Your answers
will be used to evaluate the feasibility of your proposed project and to pair you with a supervisor appropriate
to your particular subject area/interests. Your proposal is due to your English teacher on Friday, April 13,
2012.
1. Briefly describe the topic of your proposed project and what inspired you to choose this topic. (If
you cannot think of much to say about your inspiration for the topic proposed, please choose an
alternate one. You should be passionate about the topic proposed; otherwise, working on your
project will prove to be a burden instead of the satisfying experience that it should be).
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2. Indicate the Area of Interaction (Health & Social Education, Human Ingenuity, Environments or
Community & Service) that will be the focus of your Personal Project and explain why.
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3. What do you see the goal of your project to be? In other words, how do you hope to change or
how do you hope to change others by this experience? Remember that your goal must be assessable,
believable, controllable and desirable.
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4. Carefully describe what you intend your final product to look or be like.
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What information will you need about your topic and your product? List some resources where
you might find the information. If you do not need to do any research, then it is not a good project.
Remember: The Personal Project, though flexible in nature, does have an important research
component. You should include a balance of print and electronic resources and identify any
community services, organizations, or individuals you will contact or use in the development of your
Personal Project. A minimum of five (5) resources should be identified in your proposal:
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Student’s Signature
Richard Montgomery High School, Rockville, MD
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Parent’s Signature
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