Professional Documents
Culture Documents
2 PROJECT CHANGE
FOUNDER’S MESSAGE
FOUNDER’S MESSAGE
As a high school teacher, I have quickly realized that my students shatter every mischaracterized
description about them. They are by no means shallow or apathetic. In reality, they have hearts
and ambitions naturally disposed towards making a positive impact in their community. They
hold on to hope against all odds, and own vibrant curiosities undergirded by a desire to see
this world transformed for the better. Unfortunately, many of them have not been given the
opportunity to blend rigorous critical thinking, and their passion for progress in a meaningful
venture. That is why I developed Project Change.
This proposal contains a complete description of Project Change and its initiatives
accompanied by practical ways for community members to get involved. I know my students
are capable of achieving at the highest levels if given due expectations, tailored instruction,
and comprehensive assistance. I need your help to provide this necessary support. If you have
any questions, feel free to contact me via e-mail at mark@projectchangehawaii.org or over
the phone at 808-386-0266. Thank you so much for partnering with me in providing a quality
education for my students. Together we can convince them that they have what it takes to
change the world.
Sincerely
Mark McDonald
3
4 PROJECT CHANGE
PROJECT CHANGE
CONVINCING STUDENTS
THEY HAVE WHAT IT TAKES
TO CHANGE THE WORLD.
5
6 PROJECT CHANGE
PROJECT CHANGE
CONTENTS
7
“ EDUCATION IS WHAT REMAINS
AFTER ONE HAS FORGOTTEN
„
WHAT ONE HAS LEARNED IN
SCHOOL.
- ALBERT EINSTEIN
8 PROJECT CHANGE
PROJECT CHANGE
9
OVERVIEW: WHAT IS PROJECT CHANGE?
Project Change is the culminating project for Mr. McDonald’s English III class at Aiea High
3CHOOLÒ'ROUPSÒOFÒFOURÒORÒµVEÒSPENDÒTHEÒENTIREÒYEARÒDEVELOPINGÒAÒVIABLEÒANDÒCREATIVEÒSOLUTIONÒ
to a self-chosen global/national/ or local issue. These groups engage the beginning process
OFÒSTARTINGÒTHEIRÒOWNÒBUSINESSESÒORÒNON
PROµTSÒ4HISÒENTAILSÒRESEARCHÒCREATIVEÒBRAINSTORMINGÒ
STRATEGIZINGÒMARKETINGÒPROFESSIONALÒWRITINGÒANDÒCOMMUNICATIONÒREµNEMENTÒ
4HOSEÒWITHÒTHEÒBESTÒµNALÒPROPOSALSÒWILLÒBEÒCHOSENÒTOÒPARTICIPATEÒINÒTHEÒ0ROJECTÒ#HANGEÒ3UMMITÒ
Judged by a panel of local business leaders, educators, and politicians, the winners of the
Project Change Summit will be awarded monetary funds to enact their proposals during their
senior year.
DREAM. PLAN.
EXECUTE.
10 PROJECT CHANGE
OVERVIEW
The Project Change curriculum encompasses all of the benchmarks and standards required by
the Hawaii Department of Education for English III. Through a curriculum that cultivates the
disposition necessary for success in the 21st century—collaborative, familiar with ever-evolving
TECHNOLOGYÒRE¹ECTIVEÒADAPTABLEÒANDÒCREATIVEl0ROJECTÒ#HANGEÒAIMSÒTOÒAIDÒINÒSTUDENTgSÒIDENTITYÒ
DEVELOPMENTÒANDÒTOÒINSTILLÒHOPEÒANDÒEFµCACYÒALLÒTHEÒWHILEÒENCOURAGINGÒSTUDENTSÒTOÒLOOKÒBEYONDÒ
themselves.
In order to provide meaningful experiences and individualized support, Project Change includes
µVEÒSPECIµCÒINITIATIVES
Design Initiative
Unearth Coffeehouse
Final Summit
Advisory Network
11
“ EDUCATION IS NOT FILLING
„
A PAIL BUT THE LIGHTING
OF A FIRE.
- WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS
12 PROJECT CHANGE
PROJECT CHANGE
13
THE NEED
Project Change has been created believing that the old systems of teaching have been
inherited by a generation that lives in a world years beyond those traditions. Amidst a system
of ineffective methods, Project Change aims to challenge students to engage a learning that
is their own and has particular relevance to them and the larger world they are moving into
…
taking hold of
…and moving forward.
Below are collected statistics displaying the current state of public education.
NATION:
Ò 4
Ò HEÒTWENTY
µVEÒFASTEST
GROWINGÒ
professions have literacy demands
that are far greater than average,
while the fastest-declining
professions have lower-than-average
literacy demands.
14 PROJECT CHANGE
THE NEED
HAWAII
More than 6,200 students did not In 2002, 11 of 41 Hawaii’s High
graduate from Hawaii’s high schools schools were considered “dropout
in 2009;; the lost lifetime earnings factories.” These are schools in
in Hawaii for that class of dropouts which 60% of incoming freshman
alone total more than $1.6 billion. are no longer enrolled at the time of
their senior year. That was 16,280
If Hawaii’s high schools graduated students, 31% of the total students.
all of their students ready for
college, the state would save
almost $13.7 million a year in
community college remediation
costs and lost earnings.
While we at our Project Change care immensely about the academic status of our students,
our larger concern is the development of students as people. Beyond grades, statistics, and
performance metrics, we recognize that our students are people with the potential to learn,
ACHIEVEÒANDÒLIVEÒFULµLLEDÒLIVES
15
“ MY IDEA OF EDUCATION IS TO
UNSETTLE THE MINDS OF THE
„
YOUNG AND INFLAME THEIR
INTELLECTS.
- ROBERT MAYNARD HUTCHINS
16 PROJECT CHANGE
PROJECT CHANGE
17
OUR APPROACH
GOAL: Project Change seeks to convince students that they have what it takes to change the world.
OBJECTIVE 1
Provide a curriculum that encompasses the common core standards for 11th grade English and
the Hawaii Core Content Standards for English III.
OBJECTIVE 2
Provide a curriculum that seriously encompasses the 6 General Learner Outcomes (GLO’s) as
directed by the Hawaii Department of Education:
Self-directed Learner (The ability to be responsible for one’s own learning)
Community Contributor (The understanding that it is essential for human beings to work
together)
Quality Producer (The ability to recognize and produce quality performance and quality
products)
Effective and Ethical User of Technology (The ability to use a variety of technologies
effectively and ethically)
OBJECTIVE 3
Provide memorable experiences for students—experiences they can be proud of, where their
VOICESÒAREÒVALIDATEDÒANDÒHEARDÒTHEIRÒIDEASÒAREÒAFµRMEDÒANDÒFUELEDÒANDÒTHEIRÒWORKÒISÒTRULYÒADMIRED
18 PROJECT CHANGE
OUR APPROACH
OBJECTIVE 4
Provide the students with mentors who respect their individual identity, aid their studies, and
encourage them in their goals and dreams.
OBJECTIVE 5
Highlight the relevance of English skills to the “real world”.
OBJECTIVE 6
Provide students a culture where they can develop their emotional, cultural, and spiritual identities.
/URÒBIGÒGOALÒANDÒµVEÒOBJECTIVESÒAREÒDIRECTLYÒACCOMPLISHEDÒVIAÒµVEÒCLASSROOMÒINITIATIVES
V. Advisory Network
19
I. HOLO I MUA FORUMS: MOVING FORWARD.
DESCRIPTION
The Holo I Mua (Progress) Forums are weekly held discussions that allow the active participants of
Project Change to interact with and hear the experiences of accomplished, local leaders. Schools
often make little effort to display the translation of applicable skills learned in the classroom toward
life after graduation. Holo I Mua Forums hope to highlight the practical importance of high school
STUDIESÒANDÒALSOÒSTRIVEÒTOÒFOSTERÒSELF
EFµCACYÒAMONGSTÒ0ROJECTÒ#HANGEÒSTUDENTSÒ6IDEOÒFOOTAGEÒOFÒTHEÒ
Holo I Mua Forums will be promptly posted on the Project Change website.
PURPOSE
To make clear to students the connection between skills learned in the classroom and
the application of those skills to the outside world.
Ò 4OÒCONNECTÒSTUDENTSÒTOÒRELEVANTÒLOCALÒLEADERSÒINÒTHEIRÒINTERESTEDÒµELDS
Exposing students to a diverse group of professions and pursuits.
Ò &ULµLLSÒOBJECTIVESÒÒÒÒ
LOCATION
Aiea High School
98-1276 Ulune Street
Aiea, HI 96701-3598
TIMETABLE
February 2, 2011-
February 9, 2011- Luitenant Governor Brian Schatz
February 16, 2011- Dr. Patricia Espiritu-Halagao
February 23, 2011-
March 2, 2011-
March 9, 2011-
March 16, 2011-
March 23, 2011-
March 30, 2011-
20 PROJECT CHANGE
OUR APPROACH
We are also collecting sponsors for the forums. Sponsors will receive name mention, name on
printed promotional materials, and be listed on www.projectchangehawaii.org.
21
II. UNEARTH: EMPOWERING STUDENTS TO UNEARTH THEIR VOICES
AND OWN THEIR PASSIONS.
Description
5NEARTHÒISÒAÒNIGHTÒµLLEDÒWITHÒUNINHIBITEDÒEXPRESSIONÒ(OSTEDÒBYÒAÒLOCALLYÒOWNEDÒCOFFEEÒSHOPÒ
Fresh Café, students are encouraged to take to the stage and creatively portray their thoughts
ONÒTHEÒTOUGHÒISSUESÒTHEYgVEÒSETÒTOÒTACKLEÒ4HISÒBENEµTÒCONCERTÒWILLÒBEÒPRECEDEDÒBYÒAÒFEWÒWEEKSÒ
of guest educators that will instruct on the conventions of poetry and art. All proceeds earned
will go directly back into students’ education.
PURPOSE
Provide students a space for creative expression.
Raise money /awareness for Project Change.
Academic- teach the skills of creative writing and expression.
Ò &ULµLLSÒOBJECTIVESÒÒÒÒ
22 PROJECT CHANGE
OUR APPROACH
PURPOSE
Connect students with a role model.
Provide individualized instruction.
Positive validation/ encouragement.
Someone to facilitate the process.
Students to learn and practice goal setting.
Impart practical skills.
Ò &ULµLLSÒOBJECTIVESÒÒÒÒÒ
23
IV. DESIGN INITIATIVE: CREATIVITY. EXPRESSION. EXCELLENCE.
EXPLANATION
Design and its processes both teach and motivate. Well designed, quality, and professional materials
speak excellence. Project Change design initiatives—from printed materials to the class website to
classroom décor—inspire student creativity and holds students to an expectation of excellence.
Printed Materials
&ROMÒWHENÒSTUDENTSÒAREÒHANDEDÒTHEIRÒSYLLABUSÒONÒTHEÒµRSTÒDAYÒ0ROJECTÒ#HANGEÒWANTSÒSTUDENTSÒ
to realize that they are a part of a serious enterprise—their education. With the help of graphic
designers, the syllabus, all event advertising, and classroom worksheets are professional, clean, and
attractive.
Class Website
4WENTY
µRSTÒCENTURYÒSTUDENTSÒAREÒINHERENTLYÒTECHNOLOGYÒPRONEÒ!ÒCLASSÒWEBSITEÒMAKESÒSENSEÒFORÒ
interacting with those intuitions and for continually preparing students to thrive in a technology
driven culture. Not only is the class website well organized and aesthetically appealing, it is
FUNCTIONALÒ)TÒCONTAINSÒPLACESÒFORÒSUBMITTINGÒASSIGNMENTSÒµNDINGÒIMPORTANTÒDOCUMENTSÒWATCHINGÒ
relevant videos, communicating and expressing themselves.
Classroom Decor
Project Change desires to shatter the traditional classroom paradigm. The classroom is a place to
inspire creativity and to get things done. Project Change sees the classroom as a collaborative work
shop where tables are meant to be moved around, where there’s no front of the room, and where
ideas can begin. From lighting to color to furniture, the Project Change classroom-lab will employ a
variety of design mediums to foster the culture of creativity, problem-solving, and professionalism
Project Change seeks to establish.
24 PROJECT CHANGE
OUR APPROACH
PURPOSE
To encourage the creativity of each student, building creative capital.
To provide students an example and expectation of excellence.
To foster the conditions under which collaboration, innovation, and change are possible.
Ò &ULµLLSÒOBJECTIVESÒÒÒÒÒ
Financial contributions and materials donations are very helpful for covering the costs of the
classroom renovation.
25
V. PROJECT CHANGE SUMMIT
EXPLANATION
The Summit gathers Project Change’s premier student teams in competition for the grand prize--
monetary funds to enact their proposals in the upcoming year. Judged by a panel of distinguished
community leaders, and in front of parents, peers, and educators, the chosen Project Change
groups must pitch the proposals they have been working on all year.
PURPOSE
To give Project Change groups greater incentive to create excellent projects.
To provide students a professional experience where they can prove their hard work.
To give the projects with the greatest potential opportunity to be realized.
To award the group with the best project-proposal funds to enact their project.
TIMELINE
May 21, 2011
5:00pm-7:30pm
26 PROJECT CHANGE
OUR APPROACH
Donations
Venue (150 attendees)
Chairs (150 attendees)
Tables
Printed Programs
Printed Banner
Cash Grand Prize
Miscellaneous Prizes
Decorations
Light refreshments
27
“ IF YOU DON’T LIKE SOMETHING
CHANGE IT; IF YOU CAN’T
„
CHANGE IT, CHANGE THE WAY
YOU THINK ABOUT IT.
- MARY ENGELBREIT
28 PROJECT CHANGE
PROJECT CHANGE
29
ACCOUNTABILITY
4HEÒSUCCESSÒOFÒ0ROJECTÒ#HANGEgSÒCENTRALÒCURRICULUMÒANDÒITSÒµVEÒINITIATIVESÒWILLÒBEÒDETERMINEDÒ
according to the following measures.
3. DESIGN INITIATIVE
All classroom documents will be professionally designed and displayed on project
change website.
The Project Change website will be constantly updated to meet excellent design
expectations.
Classroom B-11 will be redesigned to cultivate creativity and productivity.
4. UNEARTH
The event will be held on February 5th at a location to be determined.
The event will feature the expressive work of all Project Change students.
Students will perform poetry, music, speeches, dances, etc. at the event.
5. PROJECT CHANGE______SUMMIT
The event will be held on DATE at VENUE.
Ò 4HEÒEVENTÒWILLÒHOSTÒAÒPANELÒOFÒ(AWAIIgSÒIN¹UENTIALÒBUSINESSÒLEADERS
Ò 3TUDENTSÒWILLÒPRESENTÒTHEIRÒREµNEDÒPROFESSIONALÒPROPOSALSÒTOÒTHISÒPANEL
Ò 4HEÒEVENTÒWILLÒBEÒµLMEDÒANDÒPOSTEDÒONÒTHEÒPROJECTÒCHANGEÒWEBSITE
30 PROJECT CHANGE
ACCOUNTABILITY
31
“ AN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
ISN’T WORTH A GREAT DEAL
IF IT TEACHES YOUNG PEOPLE
HOW TO MAKE A LIVING BUT
„
DOESN’T TEACH THEM HOW
TO MAKE A LIFE.
- AUTHOR UNKNOWN
32 PROJECT CHANGE
PROJECT CHANGE
33
GROWTH PLAN
We have big dreams for Hawaii’s public education. It is our hope that a successful implementation
of Project Change with the students of Aiea High School will serve as a model for planting project
based curriculums in other schools of Hawaii, and eventually other districts across the U.S. Because
of its focus on real world relevance, Project Change naturally lends itself to interdisciplinary
studies and will hopefully soon encompass more than just the English standards required. Project
Change has the capability to act as a reorganization of Hawaii’s current “Senior Project” capstone--
encompassing all of the GLO’s, requiring higher levels of technology integration, and nurturing more
peer collaboration. Until then, Project Change will exist as an open-faced organization, thereby
welcoming constant innovation and releasing its resources free to other teachers. For detailed
information on our future growth plans, please contact Mark McDonald.
34 PROJECT CHANGE
CONTACT INFORMATION
CONTACT INFORMATION
Project Change Hawaii
Aiea High School (Room B-11)
98-1276 Ulune Street
Aiea, HI 96701-3598
CAMPUS MAP
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