Youth Outreach IB Project
Risa Jackson
Oberlin High School
2019
Table of Contents
The Goal
The Goal
Introduce what project goal you chose…”My goal for the personal project was….”
Explain how you created a highly challenging goal and explains how it would challenge you
My goal is to help and encourage students to make the right decisions in life. To create my highly challenging goal I first looked at myself and then connected it to my community. For instance, I have had concern for myself on whether I would someday fall through the cracks. I thought since I was pressured to be a “good” kid all the time and sheltered by those who care about me, that I would snap. Yet I realized that the people who are there for me just want me to make good choices, and not everyone is as fortunate as me. So my goal is to encourage as many youth to get on the straight path. This would challenge me because there is a large number of students at my school, not all methods are successful, and I have to find a way to successfully move at least one person.
The Goal - my inspiration
Explains what inspired you to personally to pick this goal
Identifies and explains prior learning/knowledge that you had that is relevant to your goal
The goal - Global Context
Explain your global context and how it fits into your goal for the project
My global context is identities and relationships. I planed to learn and explore the topic that is the growing number of violent crimes committed by juveniles in the United States and how this affects the community. I will tie in the criminal justice system as a way to show the outcome of these violent crimes. This ties into the category because crime and especially juvenile crimes is a community issue The definition for this global context includes communities. Often relationships within a neighborhood or family is the root for future offenders. Yet we may lower the rates and better guide youth on the right path if we have a better understanding of personal identity. What motivates us? Do we act out as a way to define ourselves? These are topics that should be reflected through my speakers and thus tie in with my goal.
Selection of Sources
Selection of Sources
Explain how you kept track of your research and how you choose credible sources
Most of my sources were people, who I had meetings and conversations with. I kept a folder of notes and bullet points of these conservations. I saved the links to my online sources on a separate document along with journal #3. To determine the credibility of my sources I first examined the sources background and whether the info was elevant. It helped if the source was government run or from a trusted provider. For my human sources I made certain that they were people I trusted and had a history of being honest.
Source 1 - Dope is For Dopes Youth Outreach Pamphlet
Demonstrate with specific examples of how you used this source to finish your project
Show your results of your sources in your project
This source provided an overview of the program itself. For instance, the topics that could be discussed, inspirational quotes given by a few inmates who have and/or are still in the Dope is For Dopes program, and disclaimers, such as “this is not a scared straight program”. I used the overview give in the pamphlet as my inspiration for my proposed program summary in the permission slips. I took the idea of making good choices and actually taking things away from these men and incorporated it in my flyers and it coincided with my goal to base my presentation on choices before I read it.
Source 2 - Mr Ronniger
Demonstrate with specific examples of how you used this source to finish your project
Show your results of your sources in your project
Mr Roniger was the main source from which I had my questions answered and he provided me with insightful comments, advice, and suggestions during my project’s course. For example, he helped me edit my to-do-list as well as proofreading, and giving suggestions for possible edits. The day of my presentation he gave me a pep talk and tried to relax me before it’s start and my speech. I can confirm that he helped attribute to my success that way.
Planning
Planning
Explain/show the expectation that you you gave yourself BEFORE you created product/outcome and how it is related to your goal
Here you can talk about if you changed your personal project and why you changed it
My expectation was to have a large turn out of open-minded students gathered to hear my presentation. I expected it to be almost a couple hours long with plenty of time for discussion. My goal was to inform people on the impact our choices can have and the benefits of staying on the right path. My expectations relate to my goal by the fact that I wanted enough time for discussion, time that could be used to discuss choices and futures.
Planning - The Plan I created
Explain and show the plan you created with detailed steps
I ended up not needing the majority of the materials I originally needed. For instance, pencils, a computer, and notecards. I met deadlines well I’d say. For instance, I successfully scheduled my meetings and other things relating to my project within my schedule.I just turned in some of journals a little late. I managed my time by means of organization. I kept note of every meeting, either with my supervisor or people vital to my project’s success. I also kept a to-do list that I updated regularly. These lists provided me with the opportunity to set time aside time to complete what I needed to accomplish. I managed my time by looking at my priorities and estimating how much time it would take to meet them.
My Plan
Step 1 - Talk to Officer about formalities (who the contact, # of inmates, etc.)
Step 2 - Find out exactly what I want to do for my project. Develop goals and my expectations
Step 3 - Discuss my idea proposal with Principal Scott
Step 4 - Get set dates and time
Step 5 - Develop and design flyers to advertise my event
Step 6 - Create permission slips, more specifically write a disclaimer / full desc. of proposed event
Step 7- Get complete Board Approval as well as Superintendent’s
Step 8- Write Speech and agenda
Planning
Hardships
The hardships were found in the step involving dates & times. I had a solid date, yet it wasn’t till the day before did I know the time. It wasn’t even 24 hrs before the presentation. My hardship was found in the lack of communication from the principal since the idea of being on assembly schedule was not discussed with me.
Triumphs
A triumph was when I developed my speech, flyers, and order of events. When I had everything I needed to be completed complete. Especially, when I had dates, number of speakers, and my location all marked on my to-do list. My triumph was accomplishing what needed to be accomplished.
Taking Action
Taking action
The assembly/presentation matched up pretty well with my goal. Except I wanted there to be discussion of the crime rates of juveniles and juvenile offenders. The quality was very good but I wanted more audience participation. The topic of choices was greatly discussed which was my goal. It went better than I expected. The speeches were well executed and the audience was so well behaved. The topic I most wanted to be discussed was exhausted, but they didn’t speak about juvenile offenders as I expected. It was moving and very impactful. I can honestly say that it made a difference in more than one person including me. In short it exceeded my expectations because it was really moving and an excellent opportunity.
Taking action - problem solving
Originally I didn’t have any problems because I was prepared for any well into advance. For instance, I wrote out my plans and ideas early, including a date, location, and permission slips. Yet I had originally I wanted ia 90 minute long presentation, or roughly 2 class periods. But kinda without my knowing it was shortened to an hour and we were put on assembly schedule. Even though I wanted it between 8:15 to around 10:00 am. So I had to make minor edits to my speech. Like “Good Morning” to “Good evening/afternoon”. I also had to prepare during 8th period, one of my core classes. In the end I adjusted my plans accordingly and all worked out.
Taking action - communicator
Give specific examples of how you had to communicate with others (supervisors, mentors, sources)
I had to get in touch with the person in charge of the Dope is For Dopes program, Vandersommen, and I did so via email. I got appointments to meet with the principals Mr Scott and Mr Frank in their office. One of my sources, Officer Neadham, I just caught in the hall and I talked to my supervisor in class.
Reflection on Learning
Reflection on learning
Was your goal more or less challenging than you thought in the beginning? Explain
It was less challenging than I thought. Because it was relatively easy for me to achieve the main goal I had for my goal. Which was to encourage an amount of people to think about their choices and to potentially make better choice from now on. My presentation/ program did have an affect on a few people and it did provide encouragement. I didn’t expect it to be so effective on me or others.
Reflection on learning - Global Context
Explain how you have a better understanding of the global context
Explain how your goal reflected your Global Context
I understand more about the impact a single choice can make. The effects it can have on relationships, your community, and ultimately you as a person. Getting to hear the inmates tell their stories about their bad choices in life and everything their choices negatively impacted their lives and their communities they lived in, taught me more than stories and media. Because it was more personal because they were the faces of many people, people who live in my community. My goal to get people to know the impact of their choices reflected my global context because it deals with your identity. Because our choices define us and forever are a part of our identity.
Reflection on learning - Learner Profile
Explain how you developed using using examples from the Learner Profile (pick 2)
I developed my learner profile throughout the course of my projects. Two of these were that I became more knowledgeable and open-minded. My project included discussion of an issue that had local and global significance. So I was knowledgeable when I explored the issue of incarceration, crime, and drugs. I developed my own understanding and thoughts on these topics that made up my project. I demonstrated being open-minded during the actual speeches given by the presentators. The inmates spoke about their choices and past crimes, yet this included some controversy. Normally I would have been tempted to break up what they said and focus more on their faults, instead of the message. But I didn’t. I made an effort to look at what they said from their point of view and to see both sides. I opened up and saw this experience as a chance for me to grow as a person. This was an experience that I would say reshaped how I felt about certain things.
Reflection on learning - ATL
Listen actively to other perspectives,ideas, suggestions, and criticism. For example, my parents,, especially my mom provided insight for my initial idea, before npp was announced. We had a few good conversations discussing the pros, cons, and possible scenarios. This was very beneficial for me because it provided me with the opportunity to hear more ideas from a different perspective. It also stabilized me since I was very one sided initially and didn’t really benefit from previous feedback. My supervisor and Officer Neadham also communicated different ideas and I actively listened.
I also learned to worked effectively with experts / supervisor
I formed connections with My Supervisor, Principal, Mr. Vandersommen, and Officer Neadham. This benefited me because I had someone to turn to, which i did, during my project. For instance, I turned to Officer Neadham repeatedly for clarification and for guidance involving next steps. I made sure I scheduled appointments and met with my superior. In most of the cases this was Mr. scott and I made sure I arrived promptly, using appropriate language. I effectively communicated with my supervisor, making sure if something was unclear that I went and discussed it with him.
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